Tamil Tigers to Talk Peace With Government
With a cease-fire holding, Sri Lanka’s government and Tamil Tiger rebels begin their first direct talks in seven years today with the aim of ending a two-decade civil war that has killed more than 64,500 people.
No one expects an immediate breakthrough. The government is willing to grant greater autonomy to Tamil-majority areas, but rules out a separate Tamil state. The rebels have not said whether they would accept the offer, but they are expected to renounce violence.
The three-day talks will be held at a Thai naval base in Sattahip, 80 miles southeast of Bangkok.
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