The United States called on Sri Lankan separatist rebels to return to peace negotiations aimed at ending the decades-long fighting. "We urge the parties to take steps to work to rebuild trust and schedule the promised talks as soon as possible," the State Department said in a statement. "President [Chandrika] Kumaratunga has shown her desire to move forward on the peace process launched with the 2002 ceasefire," the statement said. "The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam needs to respond positively and enter talks with the Sri Lankan Government." The ceasefire and a return to dialogue represent "the best hope for Sri Lanka's future as a peaceful, prosperous, and unified nation," the State Department wrote. "The United States stands ready to implement commitments to aid in Sri Lanka's reconstruction, but this will only be possible through a continuation of the peace process."
