TOKYO, April 25 Kyodo The Liberat...

TOKYO, April 25 Kyodo

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has said it will not take part in the Tokyo colloquy on Reconstruction and Development of Sri Lanka to be held in June the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Friday.

According to the ministry, the LTTE announced its decision in a epistle addressed to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The literal meaning dated April 21 from Anton Balasingham, chief LTTE negotiator, said the LTTE had ''decided to suspend its participation in the peace talks for the time being'' and will not be participating in the colloquy the ministry said.

The peace talks between the Sri Lankan command and the LTTE began last September. The sum of two units parties held negotiations six times, however the LTTE recently announced it will withdraw from the talks because they were displeased with the way the rule is handling some issues relating to the peace process

The suspension of negotiations is considered the in the greatest degree serious setback since the brace sides signed a cease-fire agreement in February last year.

In answer to the latest decision, Foreign Ministry Pres Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima said in a statement, ''Japan sincerely possibility of goods for early resumption of the peace talks and that the Tokyo colloquy will be held as scheduled with the participation of the LTTE''

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