1. What is the main outcome of todays meeting?
Erik Solheim: The main outcome is the international community asking the parties to come for talks in Oslo. This talk is subject to take place in early October and its on the basis that the two parties telling us that they are ready to come without any preconditions.
2. When you say no preconditions. In the past few days, the Tamil Tigers have been saying that the SL govt will have to withdraw from Sampur to start any talks? Is there any indication of that?
Erik Solheim: There are no preconditions but of course the international community, i.e- the US, EU, Japan and Norway and of course we are also in touch with India which support this view, insist that the two parties should immediately stop all sorts of violence in terrorism or offensive military operation, violence against individuals and the armed forces of the other side to stop with immediate effect.
3. This morning Sri Lankan minister Keheliya Rambukwelle said that they are going to advance towards elephant Pass in northern Sri Lanka. The offensive is going on at the moment? Are they going to stop now?
Erik Solheim: That?s the very clear expectation by all international actors that the two parties immediately cease all hostilities and come for the table.
4. Did both parties give guarantees that there will be no violence from today or from when?
Erik Solheim: The government has throughout its existence for ten months repeatedly told us that they are ready for talks without any preconditions and the LTTE has today confirmed that they are ready for talks without any preconditions. So basically expect both parties to stop all sort of violence.
5. So, they will stop violence from today onwards?
Erik Solheim: That?s for them to take their decisions. But that?s what the international community expects the two parties to do.
6. Have they agreed or have they given guarantees to the international community. It is not clear?
Erik Solheim: We as the international community, the co-chairs are basing our activities on what the parties have told us. The government told us that they are ready to come for talks without preconditions and that has been their continuous stand for 10 months. Also repeated by President last week. LTTE has today confirmed that they are also ready to come for talks without any preconditions. That?s the basis, subject to talks start in October. And the parties immediately cease all military operations and all acts of terrorism, intimidation of civilians whatever it is?
7. Did you discuss anything about the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission?
Erik Solheim: It has not been discussed but I expect that matter to be discussed when they come to the table.
8. Are there any delegation or co chairs to discuss these dates and things?
Erik Solheim: The ambassadors of the co chairs will discuss with the two parties and will also keep the government and the LTTE informed about deliberations here and the thinking of international community and the co-chairs.
BBC/TW, 13.9.2006