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The Sri Lankan government denied Sept. 13 that it had agreed to hold unconditional peace talks with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam separatists, as announced by international mediators. Colombo then agreed, in principle, to the talks. The Tigers, meanwhile, have said they are ready to discuss a peace deal with the government -- as long as no pre-conditions are imposed.
Both sides have reason to delay: The government wants to continue it current military offensive while it has the Tigers on the run, and the Tigers hope to gain time to re-arm and regroup.
The Sri Lankan military is in the midst of an offensive to retake rebel held territory around the key city of Jaffna on the Jaffna Peninsula. The offensive comes swiftly on the heels of the Sri Lankan government's retaking of Sampur, a town overlooking the strategic port of Trincomalee. Furthermore, the Tiger splinter faction led by Col. Karuna has launched attacks against the Tigers in Amparai district near Batticaloa, with more than a little encouragement from Colombo. The Sri Lankan government smells blood, and is now attempting to seize positions that will allow it to secure all the transportation links into Jaffna that are currently in Tiger claws, such as the Elephant Pass and the town of Muhamalai, and drive the rebels farther into their traditional base in northern Sri Lanka.
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