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Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said on Wednesday that working for peace did not mean that the government give in to every demand of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
"Being supportive of the peace process and knowing exactly what your adversary is, are not contradictory," she told CNN in an interview, contending that the effort should be aimed at getting the rebels to discuss core issues and not be focused on giving them concessions.
"Until they show a willingness to come forward for talks on a political solution, just giving away what the Tigers want will only lead to a division of Sri Lanka," Kumaratunga, who addressed the UN General Assembly earlier in the day, said.
On the crucial issue of removing the ban on the LTTE, a precondition laid down by the rebels for joining talks planned for next month in Thailand, the Sri Lankan president said she was not against its de-proscription, but it should take place under specific conditions.
The LTTE should first come forward for talks, and the talks should show some progress, before the ban could be lifted, she said.
Further, the rebel group, held responsible for innumerable assassinations, bombings and massacres over the years, should publicly renounce the use of terror, she added.
PTI
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