Tuesday, August 22 2006 11:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: CPI yesterday (Aug 21, 2006) demanded that the Union Government should render political and diplomatic help in persuading both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government to resume the Norway-brokered peace talks.

"There should be immediate cessation to the escalating conflict between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan forces and the 2002 ceasefire should be strictly adhered to by both the parties concerned. Only talks could resolve the issue as both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE wanted a negotiated settlement", CPI National Secretary D Raja told reporters here.

"In this process, nothing should be done to give the impression that it(Union government) backs any action by the Sri Lankan army", Raja cautioned.

The CPI leader said international community must play a positive role in rendering humanitarian aid and India must also take steps to ensure that Tamil refugees were protected.

Strongly condemning the recent killing of 61 girls in Mullaitheevu in north-eastern Sri Lanka, he said attack on women and children violated all norms laid down by various conventions.

On whether LTTE alone be considered sole representative of Tamils for talks, he said "Whether one can demand total surrender of the LTTE as a precondition for negotiations is to be answered by the Sri Lankan government and the Tamils".

Raja also had a word of praise for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's response to the happenings in the Island republic.