Military jets pounded separatist Tamil Tiger positions in northern and eastern Sri Lanka on Saturday in fighting that left dozens dead, as the rebels sent a private letter to the head Norwegian peace negotiator, AP reported. The contents of the letter were unknown, but the rebels warned this past week they would pull out of a 2002 cease-fire negotiated by Norway if the government continues to attack rebel positions. The latest fighting, which each side denied initiating, came after the government and rebels said they were ready to resume peace talks on Oct. 28-29 in Switzerland. Around 1,500 people have died in increasingly heavy fighting since the last round of talks in February. Rebel spokesman Daya Master said the head of the rebels' political wing, Suppiah Thamilselvan, sent a letter to Norwegian peace envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer on their stance toward what they consider to be a government military offensive in the east. Nordic cease-fire monitors said the clashes put the peace talks in «jeopardy» and an analyst said it is now doubtful they would succeed even if they go ahead.
