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Norwegian envoy meets Prabhakaran

Norwegian peace envoy Eric Solhiem, mediating in the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis, on Wednesday met Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam chief V Prabhakaran in the rebel-held northern Vanni region and discussed peace proposals, LTTE's clandestine radio reported.

The LTTE radio, Voice of Tigers, announced on Wednesday night that Solhiem, who is visiting Sri Lanka, crossed over to the rebel-held areas and met Prabhakaran and his associates.

Government officials in Colombo attribute a great deal of importance to the meeting as this is the first time in recent years that the LTTE chief met a foreign envoy to discuss peace proposals.

The radio said that Prabhakaran, during the meeting, explained the LTTE's commitment to taking part in the peace process initiated by Norway early this year.

At the same time, he blamed the Sri Lankan government for carrying on with 'genocidal' policies against the Tamils.

Barring the announcement by the radio, the Lankan government has not yet made any official announcement on Solhiem's visit to the rebel-held areas.

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