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US criticises LTTE over arms smuggling

Colombo, Wednesday (Reuters) The United States said yesterday a recent attempt by the LTTE to smuggle weapons was highly destabilising and could cast doubt on their desire for peace.

Three rebel weapons smugglers set their boat on fire and blew themselves up last week after neutral truce monitors discovered them carrying an anti-aircraft gun, several hundred rounds of ammunition and hand grenades.

"The apparent attempt to smuggle arms into Sri Lanka during the course of the peace process was highly destabilising and could call into question the Tigers' stated wish to pursue a negotiated settlement," the U.S. embassy said in a statement. "We urge the LTTE to commit itself fully to peace and desist from arms resupply efforts," it said.

Norway brokered last February's truce and has been mediating talks to end the war, but pressure from the United States to stop the fighting has grown since the September 11 attacks.

But the rebels' sincerity has come under increasing scrutiny since the sea-suicide incident, and because of persistent allegations they continue to recruit child soldiers in their campaign for self-determination for minority Tamils.

The U.S. embassy statement praised the two sides for taking up human rights issues at a fifth round of talks in Berlin last week, but sounded a note of scepticism over the Tigers' pledge to work with the U.N. childrens' agency UNICEF to end child recruitment.

"Regarding child soldiers, the LTTE has promised on several occasions in the past that it would end this odious practice; we expect the Tigers to honour their pledge," it said.

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