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The leader of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels says he is sincere about pursuing peace, but would not give up his demand for a separate state for minority Tamils.
 
 

AP
Velupillai Prabhakaran, Tamil Tiger Leader

 Mr. Prabhakaran's Tamil tigers have been battling Sri Lankan government troops since 1983, seeking a separate state in the island's north and east. In February this year, the two sides signed a Norwegian-brokered peace plan to end a conflict that has killed more than 60,000d people. They are preparing for direct peace talks next month in Thailand.

 The news conference was conducted in the small rebel-held town of Kilinochchi surrounded by a very tight security ring. The rebels even banned a live broadcast of the event and disallowed cell phones and the use of some electronic equipment.

 Observers say the news conference is an indication of a change in policy by the Tamil Tigers. They say the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States and the subsequent U.S.-led international fight against terrorism may have prompted a change of views by the Tamil rebels. 

The 47-year-old rebel leader is considered a terrorist by many countries, including India, Britain and the United States.
 
 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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