Australia condemns LTTE terror

Australia condemns the use of terror tactics by the LTTE. Australia again calls on the LTTE to lift all restrictions on civilians remaining in areas under LTTE control, said Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith MP in a press statement yesterday.

"There can be no justification for preventing free movement of civilians from the conflict zone. We encourage the Sri Lankan diaspora to add weight to this call to prevent further loss of life," it added.

Excerpts from the statement: "Arrangements need to be put in place as a matter of urgency to allow the safe passage of civilians from the area. As long as civilians remain in the conflict zone, both sides have an obligation to ensure that hostilities are not conducted in a way which endangers civilian life. There should be no firing from or into areas of civilian population, wherever they are."

"Australia holds grave concerns for the health of those remaining in the conflict area and calls on all parties to give urgent priority in Australia to ensuring adequate food and medical supplies are allowed into the area."