U.S. to give logistic support to Sri Lanka?

Press, 1 August 1987, Page 6

U.S. to give logistic support to Sri Lanka?

NZPA-Reuter Colombo The United States said it was prepared in principle to give logistic support urgently to Sri Lanka to help end four years of ethnic fighting. A statement issued yesterday by the United States Ambassador to Colombo, James Spain, said Sri Lanka approached his Government on Thursday for support to restore law and order in southern provinces. The Sri Lankan Government said rebels who have been fighting for a

minority Tamil homeland were expected to start surrendering arms in the island’s northern and eastern districts yesterday under a controversial peace deal signed with India. Mr Spain said: “We have been informed that the request to the United States Government was made with the understanding of India. “We are prepared in principle to help the Government of Sri Lanka to acquire appropriate logis-

tical support urgently. We are investigating the possibilities. “Our interest is to support the restoration of a peaceful situation in the country,” Mr Spain said. In Washington, a State Department spokesman, Charles Redman, issued a similar statement. He told reporters logistical support meant transport for Sri Lankan security forces in the south, where there have been bloody demonstrations by the majority Sinhalese over a pact that gives the Tamils some autonomy. •