[Times Online]

Sir, I agree that there should be an immediate, unconditional ceasefire by both sides in Sri Lanka (Bronwen Maddox, World Briefing, Feb 12). However, I also believe that the time has come for the UN Secretary- General, Ban Ki Moon, to demand that a United Nations peacekeeping mission be allowed access to the country to avoid a civilian bloodbath.

Reports from the country say that the remaining doctors and medical staff in the LTTE (Tamil Tiger)-controlled area in the north of Sri Lanka have been ordered to leave. The Sri Lankan Government has urged Tamil civilians to come over to its side, but there is a natural reluctance and fear of such a move.

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[ AFP ]

Two senior US Senators on Monday jointly urged Sri Lanka’s government and Tamil Tiger rebels to safeguard civilians and ease humanitarian access to areas affected by the deadly conflict. Democrat John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Richard Lugar, the panel’s top Republican, said they were “greatly concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation.” “We urge the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to immediately take all necessary steps to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

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[AFP]

Two senior US Senators on Monday jointly urged Sri Lanka’s government and Tamil Tiger rebels to safeguard civilians and ease humanitarian access to areas affected by the deadly conflict. Democrat John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Richard Lugar, the panel’s top Republican, said they were “greatly concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation.” “We urge the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to immediately take all necessary steps to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

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