September 26, 2002	Thursday	Rajab 18, 1423

COLOMBO, Sept 25: Sri Lankan Muslims on Wednesday called for a Southeastern Council which would determine the autonomy of the Muslims living in the Northeastern areas.

Muslim Affairs Minister Rauf Hakeem said that a Southeastern Council was imperative to determine the Muslim cause in order to avoid harassment of the minority in areas dominated by the Tamils.

“We are especially concerned about the Muslims who are in majority in the Northeastern areas. That’s why we want to approach the LTTE with this concept”, Minister Hakeem said, adding that this would be his ‘top priority’ when he meets the LTTE hierarchy later this month.

He said he had avoided taking up this issue at the Thailand peace talks because “it was understood that only northeast war rehabilitation matters would be taken up”.

Asked what kind of support he anticipated by the LTTE towards the proposed Southeastern Council, Hakeem said that they would ‘urge the matter forward’ as the Tamil United Liberation Front had already approved it.