KILLINOCHCHI, May 26: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Wednesday told the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government through Norwegian facilitation that the institutionalization of the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) in the northeast province should take place first before taking up core issues at face to face peace talks between the two parties.

This new demand of the LTTE which demands a written pledge from the government to go ahead with the practical implementation of the clauses given in the self governing proposals of the LTTE handed over to the government is seen as being the toughest stance taken by the rebels in the democratic framework.

With the 'institutionalising' of the LTTE proposals the Tamil Tigers seek the formal approval of the government for their de facto government retaining the judiciary, police and flag.

When contacted the LTTE in a paradoxical note insisted that they were not asking for a written pledge for the establishing of a separate state as feared by the southern Sinhala majority.