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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 29, 2002

Sri Lankan Tamil Rebels Optimistic Over Permanent Ceasefire

Sri Lankan separatist Tamil Tiger rebels said on Tuesday that optimism grows over a permanent ceasefire between the government and the rebels which could be in place before February 24 when the unilateral ceasefire due to expire.


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Sri Lankan separatist Tamil Tiger rebels said on Tuesday that optimism grows over a permanent ceasefire between the government and the rebels which could be in place before February 24 when the unilateral ceasefire due to expire.

"Substantial progress has been made in the ongoing facilitatory efforts by the Norwegian government to formalize and finalize a stable and structured ceasefire between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)," the LTTE' s chief negotiator and political advisor Anton Balasingham was quoted by Tamilnet website as saying.

A Norwegian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen met with Balasingham at his London residence on Monday. He described the discussions as "cordial and constructive."

He said both the government and the LTTE have submitted proposals to Oslo with regards to the normalization of a permanent mutual ceasefire to replace the unilateral and separate cessation of hostilities being observed by both sides.

The government has lifted economic embargo imposed on rebel- held areas in the north of the country and is considering lifting the ban on the LTTE to clear way for early talks with the rebels in a bid to end the 19-year ethnic conflict.





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