by Zacki Jabbar

The United National Front(UNF), yesterday rejected Velupillai Prabhakaran’s "Heroes Day " call for de-proscription of the LTTE saying that a future UNF government would use a facilitator to hold unconditional talks with the LTTE.

Colombo District UNF candidate at the forthcoming Parliamentary election, and UNP National Integration Committee Chairman Tyronne Fernando told "The Island" that "unconditional" would mean that the LTTE would not have to lay down arms during the negotiation process.

"Prabhakaran himself has on many occasions called for unconditional talks. So this is exactly what we will be doing when elected to form a government".

Fernando said that de-proscription will follow once the LTTE gives up its demand for a separate state and agrees on an alternate solution to the ethnic problem.

Asked about Prabhakaran’s demand that the LTTE be recognised as the authentic and legitimate representative of the Tamil people if they are to participate in negotiations, Fernando said that they will have to discuss it with the other Tamil parties.

Fernando while welcoming Prabhakaran’s position that the "Tamil national question which has assumed the character of a civil war is essentially a political issue that can be resolved by peaceful means if there is a genuine will and leadership on the part of the Sinhala leadership" said that the LTTE also should display genuine will and determination in finding a peaceful solution.

He said that Prabhakaran’s "Heroes Day" speech on Tuesday clearly proves that there is no pact between the UNP and the LTTE, as alleged by the government every time an election is round the corner.