Solheim is on a mission to reduce CFA violations

Erik Solheim, Norwegian minister for International Development, told foreign media correspondents in Colombo that Norway would facilitate talks “even in the moon”, if the parties agree on the venue.

The minister, who is visiting Colombo in an attempt to save the fragile truce under threat due to continuous violence in the North and East, insisted that Norway has no preference over venue.

The government suggest the talks to be held anywhere in Asia, the LTTE insist on having talks in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

	The envoy says Sri Lanka is at crossroads

The special peace envoy was speaking to journalists after meeting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

He is scheduled to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Wednesday.

Expressing concern over the escalating violence which killed more than 120 people, Solheim said however the country is yet to face an all-out civil war.

The envoy, who helped brokering longest truce between the parties since conflict began, recalled that more than 1000 were killed in one battle during the civil war.

Solheim said: “Sri Lanka is at a crossroads. But this is not the last chance to influence upon the events.”

He said he will try at least to minimise the current violent situation by discussing with the parties on ways to stabilise Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002.