Sri Lankan Tamil Rebels Accept Government Authority: FM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 29, 2002

Sri Lankan Tamil Rebels Accept Government Authority: FM

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Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando has said that the normal procedure adopted by chief negotiator of separatist Tamil Tiger rebels Anton Balasingham for his entry and departure of the country indicated that the rebels accept government authority, the official Daily News said on Monday.

Balasingham had obtained a valid visa and had his passport stamped both on his arrival and departure by immigration officials of the country. He left for London last week after a one-month stay in the rebel-held north to prepare the rebels for peace talks with the government which are expected to be held in Thailand in June.

Addressing local officials at the weekend, Fernando said that forward looking educated masses should not hang on to political statements made by the rebels. Though it was said that rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was the president and prime minister of the north-east, Balasingham had to follow the normal procedure to enter and exit Sri Lanka, he added.

He said the government had categorically stated that it will never divide the country but will unite a divided country. It was sad that some reputed and respected politicians had joined those who were trying to raise their ugly heads again by attempting to divide the country, he added.

He assured that the government had not hidden agenda and its aim was peace. He urged the opposition to cooperate with the government to achieve peace.

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