Peace talks end in breakthrough

OSLO, Norway -- Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers agreed Thursday to develop a government that would give the rebels regional autonomy, a breakthrough decision capping months of efforts to end 19 years of fighting.\nThe Tamil Tigers have been fighting for independence since 1983, but gave up the demand just ahead of the third round of peace talks in Norway. Now both sides have agreed to pursue peace by allowing the Tamil-dominated regions in the north and east to govern themselves autonomously, according to a draft copy of the joint statement obtained by The Associated Press.\n"The parties have decided to explore a political solution founded on internal self-determination based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka," the statement said.\nIt also said an existing cease-fire must continue and "that new concrete measures will be taken to facilitate further de-escalation."\nNorway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen said the three days of talks were conducted in a "frank, open and constructive manner."\nThe statement said the rebels would allow competing political parties to stay in their regions as long as they are unarmed, and that the activities of their courts and police would not extend into government-held areas.\nChief rebel negotiator Anton Balasingham said "both parties made an unprecedented historic decision."\nThe Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam had long demanded a separate homeland for the island's 3.2 million Tamil minority. They claim the country's 14 million Sinhalese discriminate against them. The fighting has claimed nearly 65,000 lives and displaced another 1.6 million people.\nGovernment negotiator Gamini Peiris said his country was committed to peace.\n"There is not going to be a war. We are certain of that," he said. "The people of the country are yearning for peace."\nThe agreement came exactly a year after a parliamentary election in Sri Lanka that brought Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to power with a pledge to make peace.\nWays of incorporating the rebels into the government will be examined in the next round of talks. Human rights, public finance, and law and order will be discussed at upcoming meetings, in Thailand in January and Japan in March.\nThe Tigers -- who have admitted recruiting child fighters -- agreed to work with the U.N. Children's Fund on that issue, and both sides agreed to establish a joint committee to examine women's issues.\nBalasingham also said a separate Muslim delegation would be included in future talks. Sri Lanka's 1.3 million Muslims are fearful of being marginalized in any final settlement.