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by Douglas Ayling

Talks on the A9 appeared deadlocked yesterday over the question of whether the Tamil Eelam Bus Service should be allowed to retain a monopoly over commercial transport north of Omanthai. Mr Bernard Goonathilaka, Director General of the National Peace Secretariat, explained yesterday that discussions on the "specifics of commercial transport on the A9" would continue and added that "the two sides - that is the Government and the LTTE - were expected to meet at Omanthai today".

Mr Goonathilaka refused to comment on the government's position regarding the proposed Tamil Eelam Bus Service monopoly, but added, "We expect to see developments - by tomorrow maybe we should hear".

Another potential sticking point in negotiations is likely to be over the question of the present LTTE practice of charging a levy on certain goods at their Muhamalai and Omanthai checkpoints. Government sources have made it clear that this practice is regarded as unacceptable.

Furthermore, it has been noted that the de facto system of import tariffs contradicts and undermines Velupillai Prabhakaran's express support for an "open market economy" in the North.

The Norwegian Embassy was unavailable for comment due to a half-day opening on Fridays.

The Tamil Eelam Bus Service was set up by the LTTE and since extended in March 1997 upon the capture of Mullaitivu, to run twice daily between Puthukudiyiruppu, Kumulamunnai, Pokkanai, Maththalan and Mullaitivu. It is one of a string of LTTE-owned commercial interests ranging from Vassan Printers in South London to a fleet of ocean-going vessels registered in Honduras.

The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) - which has recently pressed to be awarded contracts for the Asian Development Bank-backed improvement of the A9 - has offices in 15 countries worldwide.

At the end of October 2000, the London office was raided by the British Charities Commission and TRO accounts were frozen following allegations that funds were being raised to buy arms. It has since been reinstated and raises Rs 37 million annually.

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