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'No progress' in Sri Lanka talks Sri Lankan talks end in failure
(about 21 hours later)
The first day of talks between Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels aimed at averting a return to war have ended with little progress. Talks between Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels aimed at averting a return to war have ended without agreement.
The two-day negotiations in Geneva are intended to shore up the 2002 ceasefire amid a major upsurge of fighting. Norwegian mediator Erik Solheim said no deal had been reached on how to address the humanitarian crisis and no dates had been set for new negotiations.
The two-day talks in Geneva had been intended to shore up the 2002 ceasefire amid a major upsurge of fighting.
They were the first time the two sides had met in eight months.
Since July, 372 security force members, 128 civilians and many rebels have died, the government says.Since July, 372 security force members, 128 civilians and many rebels have died, the government says.
But the two sides are far apart and many believe the best scenario is that they agree a date for further talks.
These talks are the first time the two sides have met in eight months.
Negotiator's frustrationNegotiator's frustration
Norwegian diplomats warned at the outset not to expect too much, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva, and the first day lived up to those modest expectations. Norwegian diplomats warned at the outset not to expect too much, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.
The day began with a strained handshake between the leaders of the two delegations. There was always the suspicion that the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government turned up only because of international pressure and without any real desire to talk peace, she says, and the lack of progress seems to prove this.
The first day began with a strained handshake between the leaders of the two delegations.
Human rights issues are very much a part of the core issues we want to discuss Nimal Siripala de Silva, Government chief negotiator Battle to avert war Human rights issues are very much a part of the core issues we want to discuss Nimal Siripala de Silva, Government chief negotiator Battle to avert war
They had been instructed to shake hands by Norway's minister for development, Erik Solheim, who had expressed his frustration at the delays in getting the factions to the negotiation table.
"We have shown a lot of patience and we are prepared to show more, but the people in Sri Lanka and the international community will be impatient," he said.
Swiss diplomats also reminded the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government of their obligations under the Geneva Convention.Swiss diplomats also reminded the Tamil Tigers and Sri Lankan government of their obligations under the Geneva Convention.
Then came lengthy opening statements from each side which, our correspondent says, amounted to a list of recriminations. Saturday was taken up with lengthy recriminations, with each side blaming the other for recent violence.
At the end of the day, Tamil Tiger representatives said no progress had been made, while the government delegation remained tight-lipped, our correspondent adds. Sunday foundered on the issue of access to the Jaffna peninsular.
Pressure The Tamil Tigers demanded the re-opening of the highway to the region saying its closure was preventing humanitarian aid reaching civilians in need.
On the eve of the talks, the rebels said the road linking northern Jaffna peninsula with the rest of the country should be opened to facilitate further negotiations. They have said they will not agree to any future meetings if the demand is not met.
Spokesman Daya Master told the Associated Press news agency that the rebels would not agree to any future meetings with the government if the demand was not met. The government countered that the road was closed because the Tamil Tigers were attacking it and extorting fees from vehicles using it.
The road leading to the government-controlled city of Jaffna was closed in early August after fierce fighting broke out between the two sides. Both sides say they are committed to the ceasefire but the acrimonious atmosphere at the close of the talks and the ongoing fighting in Sri Lanka must leave that in doubt, our correspondent adds.
The BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says if talks fail diplomats believe it is almost inevitable that Sri Lanka will return to all-out war. Credibility fear
Seasoned observers suggest neither party is sincere in wanting to resume negotiations and that the Geneva meeting is essentially a result of intense international pressure.
The last round of discussions was in Geneva in February. Two subsequent attempts at talks failed, most recently in June.The last round of discussions was in Geneva in February. Two subsequent attempts at talks failed, most recently in June.
Since then the international landscape has changed significantly for both sides, our correspondent says.Since then the international landscape has changed significantly for both sides, our correspondent says.
The rebels have been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and Canada.The rebels have been blacklisted as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and Canada.
The government, meanwhile, is concerned about losing its international credibility.The government, meanwhile, is concerned about losing its international credibility.
Both parties have been criticised for human rights abuses, while, on the military front, both have suffered reversals of fortune.Both parties have been criticised for human rights abuses, while, on the military front, both have suffered reversals of fortune.