An all party meeting called by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse recommended the resumption of talk with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Rajapakse was trying to muster consensus to resume a stalled peace dialogue. A major issue is that requires consensus is the manner in which the peace talks will resume. The Norwegian Minister for International Develop Erik Solheim is expected in Sri Lanka to facilitate the resumption following the unilateral termination of the process by the LTTE in 2003. The most immediate issues to resolve are the location of the dialogue process and implementation mechanisms for the ceasefire. The LTTE has been engaging in low intensity attacks on the Sri Lankan security forces through suicide bombs, booby traps, and claymore mine attacks. In the most recent attacks by suspected LTTE operatives, three policemen and one civilian lost their lives and 40 people were injured. Earlier this week, the Norwegian-led Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission suspended operations in Trincomalee saying the security situation was unacceptable. The LTTE is under intense international diplomatic pressure with the European Union considering a refusal to meet LTTE delegations.

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