Colombo: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga welcomed the outcome of a "peace support meeting" on November 25 in Oslo, where donor nations demanded renunciation of terror by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and inclusion of human rights and Democratic values in the ongoing peace process, a spokesman said on November 27.

"The appeal by the US to the LTTE to give up violence and its armed struggle and the reference in the Oslo Declaration to human rights and democracy show that the President's concerns have been taken into consideration," Presidential spokesman Harim Peiris told reporters.

The 'Oslo Declaration' pledged global aid for reconstructing the war-hit North Eastern region, but asked the government and the rebels to work for "lasting peace" on the basis of renunciation of violence and respect for democratic principles, rule of law and minority rights.

US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, speaking at the Oslo conference, asked the LTTE to renounce its armed struggle and accept the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan government over the island.

However, in his speech, LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said it would try to avoid conflict in future, but did not commit himself to a renunciation of violence in future if the talks break down.

The conference was attended by about 40 countries, and some of them pledged initial contributions to the rehabilitation efforts, amounting to a total of $ 70 million. More funds are expected at a larger donors' meeting to be organised in Tokyo early next year.

Peiris said Kumaratunga, however, remained concerned that the LTTE's conduct was not in keeping with the spirit of the ceasefire, as it sought to expand its network of "illegal kangaroo courts" and "police stations", seriously eroding the state's judicial power and sovereignty.

The spokesman said the ongoing protests aimed at ousting the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), the only opposition to the Tigers, from the Jaffna peninsula, went against the rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham's claim in Thailand that there would be no fetters on political activities.

The President had directed the police chief and the Navy commander to provide protection to the EPDP cadres and office in Delft island in the North, he said.

There has been a sustained campaign to get the party to leave the island immediately, and the entire peninsula before December 31.

Answering a question on the LTTE disarming itself, Peiris said this was the correct moment for the talks to include the element of decommissioning of weapons. There should first be a renunciation of weapons and thereafter it should be implemented on the ground, he said.

"It is the President's clear stance that de-commissioning should take place, and this is a good time to make a beginning," he added.

Peiris said it was still not too late for a nominee of the President to be accommodated in the peace talks in the capacity as an observer.

The briefings given to the President by a senior minister after each round of talks were inadequate, and there should be more prior consultation, he added.

PTI