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EU calls for full UN access to Lankan war zone

Brussels calls for independent probe into conflict

AFP, Brussels
The European Commission yesterday called for the United Nations to be given full access to the conflict zone in northern Sn Lanka where the government was routing the Tamil Tiger rebels.
The EU also called for an independent enquiry into alleged human rights viola-tions during the conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka.
EU foreign ministers, in an agreed statement, said the European Union was 'appalled by the loss of innocent civilian lives as a result of the conflict and by the high numbers of casualties, including children."
The 27-nation bloc called on the Sri Lankan government and ail other involved parties "to urgently proceed towards a comprehensive political process."
The statement, issued as EU foreign ministers held talks in Brussels, stressed the need for both sides "to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law."
The European Union "calls for the alleged violations of these laws to be investigated through an independent inquiry. Those accountable must be brought to justice," the statement added.
Tm very relieved that at least it seems that the heaviest fighting is over. At the same time the situation of the civilians is still very difficult and fragile," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, as she arrived for talks with European foreign ministers in Brussels.
"We know there are still people in the war zone and many have come out. What is very important now is that the UN can have full access there." she added.
The Sri Lankan military announced
Monday that the government was in control of the whole of the country, after mopping up the last pockets of resistance among the Tamil fighters.
The conflict has left more than 70,000 dead from pitched battles, suicide attacks, bomb strikes and assassinations. The LITE Tamil Tigers emerged in the 1970s, with all-out war breakingout in the early 1980s.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bidlt, whose country will assume the rotating EU presidency in July, said that "there must be immediate access for international humanitarian organisations, the UN organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross because tens of thousands of people are really in desperate need of help."
Last month the Sri Lankan authorities refused to issue a visa for Bildt, who had been hoping to join his British and French counterparts on a visit there.