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Sri Lankan peace talks under way 'No progress' in Sri Lanka talks
(about 5 hours later)
Sri Lanka's government and Tamil Tiger rebels have begun talks in Geneva in an effort to avert a slide back into war. 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.
Violence between the two sides has soared. Since July, 372 security force members, 128 civilians and many rebels have died, the government says. The two-day negotiations in Geneva are intended to shore up the 2002 ceasefire amid a major upsurge of fighting.
Correspondents say expectations from the talks are close to zero. Since July, 372 security force members, 128 civilians and many rebels have died, the government says.
The best scenario, many believe, is that the two sides agree on another date for another round of negotiations. 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
The talks began with a strained handshake between the leaders of the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger delegations, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes, in Geneva. 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.
The 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
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.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."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.
Human rights issues are very much a part of the core issues we want to discuss Nimal Siripala de Silva, Government chief negotiator href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6089292.stm" class="">Battle to avert war Then came lengthy opening statements from each side which, our correspondent says, amounted to a list of recriminations.
The talks are the first time the two sides have met in eight months. 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.
Pressure
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.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.
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.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 road leading to the government-controlled city of Jaffna was closed in early August after fierce fighting broke out between the two sides.The road leading to the government-controlled city of Jaffna was closed in early August after fierce fighting broke out between the two sides.
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.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.
Pressure
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.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.