Visiting Norwegian special envoy Eric Solheim Thursday voiced pessimism over a quick resumption of the stalled peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels.

Solheim, who arrived here on Monday in his fresh efforts to revive the stalled peace talks, met with S.P. Thamilselvan, political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in the rebel-held northern town of Kilinochchi on Thursday.

The pro-rebel Tamilnet website reported that Solheim told the media after the meeting that all parties connected to the peace process are feeling a sense of frustration now.

"The Norwegian facilitators did not bring any constructive message from the Sri Lankan government. It is unfortunate that the Sri Lankan government is not speaking in one voice about the peace process," said Thamilselvan.

He stressed the urgency of restarting the peace talks on the basis of their proposals for establishing an Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) in the war-torn north and east.

He also blamed the government for working with some paramilitary groups, referring to the renegade rebel eastern commander known as Karuna, which he said has threatened the ongoing cease-fire.

The LTTE rebels and the government entered a Norwegian-brokered cease-fire in February 2002 and the two sides started direct talks seven months later.

However, the rebels walked out of the peace talks in April last year and insisted on resumption of the talks on the basis of their ISGA proposals.

The Norwegian facilitators have been trying to revive the stalled peace talks since May but their efforts have not brought about any breakthrough in the deadlocked peace process.

Source: Xinhua