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President: Consensus before talks
 By Nalaka Nonis
 President Chandrika Kumaratunga announced yesterday she would consult opposition political parties and other organisations within the next two weeks before going for talks with the LTTE.

The, idea, a UPFA source said yesterday, was to try to forge a common consensus. This is particularly in the wake of the LTTE's insistence that its demand for an Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) should be met first.

President Kumaratunga told the 53rd annual session of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in Galle that they were trying to get the LTTE to the negotiating table, though it was a difficult process to be achieved soon.

"The process is slowly progressing, but we are not going backwards and we are doing the maximum," President Kumaratunga said in reference to the peace process.

Referring to clashes in the north-east, the President declared that it was a complexed situation, but all steps should be taken to avoid going to a war situation and the armed groups should be stopped.

She said her plans to invite the opposition parties and other organisations were in keeping with the UPFA's manifesto before the Parliamentary elections in April.

Minister Anura Bandaranaike said that none except the President should make any comments about the peace process.
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