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Sri Lanka clash after talks fail Sri Lanka clash after talks fail
(4 days later)
Sri Lankan forces and Tamil Tiger rebels have exchanged heavy artillery fire in northern Jaffna peninsula, just a day after peace talks failed.Sri Lankan forces and Tamil Tiger rebels have exchanged heavy artillery fire in northern Jaffna peninsula, just a day after peace talks failed.
Residents in Jaffna described hearing explosions and said the shelling was heavier than usual.Residents in Jaffna described hearing explosions and said the shelling was heavier than usual.
Both sides accused each other of starting the fighting. It is not clear if there have been casualties.Both sides accused each other of starting the fighting. It is not clear if there have been casualties.
Government and rebel negotiators met over the weekend in Geneva, but failed to break the deadlock.Government and rebel negotiators met over the weekend in Geneva, but failed to break the deadlock.
Road disputeRoad dispute
Talks broke down over the issue of the main A9 highway connecting Jaffna with the rest of the country.Talks broke down over the issue of the main A9 highway connecting Jaffna with the rest of the country.
The rebels are accused of using the truce to regroupThe rebels are accused of using the truce to regroup
The rebels have said they will not agree a date for more negotiations until the road is reopened.The rebels have said they will not agree a date for more negotiations until the road is reopened.
It has been closed since fighting began in the north in early August, leaving around half a million people cut off.It has been closed since fighting began in the north in early August, leaving around half a million people cut off.
Provisions are getting through but not nearly enough, and there is concern of an impending humanitarian crisis.Provisions are getting through but not nearly enough, and there is concern of an impending humanitarian crisis.
The government has rejected the rebel demands, saying the Tigers want access to the area simply to levy taxes.The government has rejected the rebel demands, saying the Tigers want access to the area simply to levy taxes.
It has said it will ferry in emergency supplies by sea. The rebels have refused to give security guarantees.It has said it will ferry in emergency supplies by sea. The rebels have refused to give security guarantees.
PressurePressure
Violence has claimed more than 3,000 lives since the end of last year, the government says, although the rebels dispute the number of their fighters killed.Violence has claimed more than 3,000 lives since the end of last year, the government says, although the rebels dispute the number of their fighters killed.
Despite the bloodshed, both sides maintain that they are committed to a 2002 ceasefire which now exists only in name.Despite the bloodshed, both sides maintain that they are committed to a 2002 ceasefire which now exists only in name.
Most observers believe they were brought to talks only as a result of international pressure.Most observers believe they were brought to talks only as a result of international pressure.
The acrimonious atmosphere in Geneva and continuing fighting in Sri Lanka reflect this lack of sincerity, they say.The acrimonious atmosphere in Geneva and continuing fighting in Sri Lanka reflect this lack of sincerity, they say.
About 65,000 people were killed in fighting before the 2002 truce was agreed.About 65,000 people were killed in fighting before the 2002 truce was agreed.
The rebels want a homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east. They say Tamils have been discriminated against by the island's majority Sinhalese community.The rebels want a homeland for minority Tamils in the north and east. They say Tamils have been discriminated against by the island's majority Sinhalese community.