Tamil Tiger rebels said yesterday that they are ready to resume stalled peace talks with the Sri Lankan government based on their proposal for self-rule.
"The Liberation Tigers are fully prepared to resume the negotiations ... talks can begin when the government of Sri Lanka says it is ready," the Tigers' political chief, S.P. Thamilselvan, was quoted as saying on the pro-rebel TamilNet Web site.
Thamilselvan conveyed the rebels' stand during discussions with Norwegian peace-brokers in the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi earlier yesterday.
The rebel leader stressed that the group is prepared to resume negotiations on its blueprint for self-rule, called the Interim Self-Governing Authority, the Web site said.
The discussions were held one day after mediator Eric Solheim and Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesenmet with President Chandrika Kumaratunga and said talks between the insurgents and government were unlikely to resume anytime soon.
Kumaratunga's government and a Marxist party, her junior coalition partner, have in the past criticized the Norwegian-brokered peace process and have rejected the Tigers' proposal for wide autonomy.
"It might take some time before the parties are in a position to return to the negotiation table," Helgesen said in a statement after Sunday's meeting.
He didn't give reasons why talks might not resume soon but he urged both sides to abide by a ceasefire agreement signed two years ago.
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