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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tamil Tigers' top negotiator dies | Tamil Tigers' top negotiator dies |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The senior negotiator for the Tamil Tigers, Anton Balasingham, has died of cancer in London, the BBC has learned. | The senior negotiator for the Tamil Tigers, Anton Balasingham, has died of cancer in London, the BBC has learned. |
| A Tamil Tiger spokesman in Sri Lanka said an official announcement would be made shortly. | A Tamil Tiger spokesman in Sri Lanka said an official announcement would be made shortly. |
| Last month it was reported that Mr Balasingham, 68, had bile duct cancer which had spread to his liver, lungs, abdomen and bones. | Last month it was reported that Mr Balasingham, 68, had bile duct cancer which had spread to his liver, lungs, abdomen and bones. |
| He was the chief ideologue of the rebels in their war against the Sri Lankan military. | He was the chief ideologue of the rebels in their war against the Sri Lankan military. |
| Main contact | Main contact |
| BBC Sinhala editor Priyath Liyanage says many analysts believe Mr Balasingham has been a moderating force within the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). | BBC Sinhala editor Priyath Liyanage says many analysts believe Mr Balasingham has been a moderating force within the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). |
| He was the main contact for peace brokers such as Norway as well as other key international players involved in attempts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the island's protracted separatist conflict. | He was the main contact for peace brokers such as Norway as well as other key international players involved in attempts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the island's protracted separatist conflict. |
| "The LTTE supreme council is in session at present discussing arrangements to honour him," the Tigers' Rasaiah Ilanthirayan told the BBC Sinhala service. | |
| This year has seen a sharp escalation of violence in Sri Lanka with | This year has seen a sharp escalation of violence in Sri Lanka with |
| Mr Balasingham held a British passport and lived in London. The UK classifies the Tigers as a terrorist group. | Mr Balasingham held a British passport and lived in London. The UK classifies the Tigers as a terrorist group. |
| When news of his illness emerged in November, he said: "It is an unfortunate personal tragedy. | When news of his illness emerged in November, he said: "It is an unfortunate personal tragedy. |
| "However, when compared to the vast ocean of the collective tragedy faced by my people, my illness is merely a pebble," he told the pro-rebel Tamilnet website. | "However, when compared to the vast ocean of the collective tragedy faced by my people, my illness is merely a pebble," he told the pro-rebel Tamilnet website. |
| Ten years ago, he underwent a kidney transplant. | Ten years ago, he underwent a kidney transplant. |