Tigers oppose Indo-Lanka deal<\/p>\n
SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have asked New Delhi
\nnot to go ahead with a proposed defense cooperation pact with the
\nColombo government, arguing that it would alter the military
\nbalance of power here.<\/p>\n
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they had
\ncautioned India against a military pact with Sri Lanka at a time
\nwhen the government was locked in an internal power struggle that
\nundermined peace efforts.<\/p>\n
The pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website quoted the LTTE's chief
\npeace negotiator, Anton Balasingham, as saying that the proposed
\ndefense pact could have \"far reaching negative consequences for
\nthe current peace process.\"<\/p>\n
\"There is no strategic necessity for the government of India
\nto rush into a defense agreement with military implications at
\nthis crucial time when the peace process itself is endangered by
\nthe political crisis in Colombo,\" Balasingham was quoted as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
Colombo and New Delhi have been discussing a defense pact to
\nenhance training for Sri Lankan security personnel as well as
\nexplore the possibility of closer cooperation between the
\nsecurity forces of the two neighboring nations. -- AFP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tigers-oppose-indo-lanka-deal-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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