Support Karuna and face war: Tigers warns Govt

The Tigers told Norwegian-led truce monitors who went to Kilinochchi today for an emergency session that the government had the war or peace option. The head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Trond Furuhovde, held talks after the Tigers on Friday announced pulling out of joint meetings to review the implementation of the truce.

‘‘The LTTE will not recommence meetings with the Sri Lanka Army while the government and its military continue to harbour Karuna and continue to instigate murder and confusion in Batticaloa,’’ Thamilselvan was quoted as saying in the pro-rebel Tamilnet website.

Meanwhile, Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim was to arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday for talks between the government and Tamil Tigers.

Solheim’s visit comes days after the government said elements of the military had helped Karuna, an admission, the Tigers say, weighs on chances for a resolution to the 20-year war. ‘‘We have pointed out that they are not acting in a trustworthy and honest manner,’’ Thamilselvan, said. ‘‘If the circumstances are not solved, we cannot continue with the peace process,’’ he said.

The two sides which have been observing a Norwegian-brokered truce since February 2002, are divided over the agenda for renewed talks, with the separatist Tigers wanting them based on an interim self-rule proposal they submitted last year, and the new government — elected in April — asking for parallel discussions on a final settlement. ‘‘The agenda is still being worked out. We don’t want talking for the sake of talking,’’ said an official in President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s office.

A statement from the Norwegian Embassy said Solheim would meet Thamilselvan on Wednesday and he would also meet the President during his four-day visit, but the official said Kumaratunga had not yet confirmed a meeting.