Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tiger rebels agreed on Thursday to develop a government that would give the rebels a chunk of the country regional autonomy — a breakthrough decision after months of efforts to end the 19 years of fighting between them. The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for independence since 1983 but gave up the demand just ahead of the third round of peace talks in Oslo. Now, both sides agreed to pursue a peace based on the principle of internal self-determination in Tamil-dominated areas of the north and east, according to a draft copy of the joint statement obtained by the Associated Press. 'The parties have decided to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka,' the statement said.
It also said that political steps must be supported by measures to ensure continuation of an existing cease-fire and 'that new concrete measures will be taken to facilitate further de-escalation.' The agreement was reached a week after the reclusive rebel leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran said for the first time that the Tigers were in favour of a solution that offered 'substantial regional autonomy.' The statement said that the rebels will let competing political parties stay in their regions as long as they are unarmed, and that the activities of their courts and police would not extend into government-held areas.
Ceylon's been a single "country" for 2500 years, and hasn't moved an inch. There's always been movement between it and the Tamil Nad. Now the Tamils need their own chunk of it. Nor will this be the end of it. The Singhalese are Buddhists, y'know. And the Tamils are Hindus and Muslims. |