Akashi assures continuing Japanese assistance

Rohan Mathes

The Special Peace Envoy of Japan Yasushi Akashi has expressed Japan's continuing commitment to Sri Lanka with the assurance of continuing economic assistance.

Akashi has made this assurance during extensive talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. The talks lasted for more than 45 minutes.

Akashi is in Sri Lanka to study developments following the Government's decision to abrogate the Cease Fire Agreement with the LTTE and to apprise the Government of Japan's position vis-a-vis the latest developments in Sri Lanka.

According to reliable sources Akashi had expressed Japan's satisfaction on the endeavours made by President Rajapaksa to reach a Southern consensus on a negotiated solution to the ethnic question.

The Japanese Special Envoy had expressed satisfaction on President Rajapaksa's commitment to a negotiated solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis, as expressed to the Japanese Prime Minister and the Upper House of Japan during the President's recent visit to Japan and his reiteration of the position that the Government was not committed to a military solution.

At the discussion between the President and Akashi there had been a free and frank exchange of views on the situation leading up to the abrogation of the CFA and following it.

President Rajapaksa explained in detail the continued violence carried out by the LTTE, especially targeting civilians, women and children, and the refusal of the LTTE to come for negotiations, which led to the necessity for the CFA to be abrogated.

Akashi had said it was encouraging to know of the progress that was being made in the APRC and looked forward to the proposals that are expected to come on January 23.

Also encouraging were the efforts being made by Sri Lanka to deal with Human Rights issues. The Japanese Special Envoy was of the view that the leadership of the President was vital for the success of a political process that would lead to a negotiated solution to the crisis in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa had informed Akashi that the current operations being carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force against the LTTE were strictly aimed at identified and precisely selected targets. Very special care was being taken to prevent civilian casualties.

The talks were conducted in a cordial atmosphere the sources said.