LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                01. March 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

MILITARY ANXIOUS ABOUT TAMIL-MUSLIM EMPATHY
        The LTTE's political head in Batticaloa-Amparai has issued a
        statement outlining the reasons why the Sri Lankan military has
        been anxiously trying to stoke tension between Tamils and Muslims
        in the East. The statement, which accompanied Thursday's
        Tamil-Muslim talks, said there was mounting discomfort among
        military circles about growing affinity between Tamils and
        Muslims and frantic efforts were being made by Sri Lanka to
        sabotage this. In the past few months a number of provocative
        incidents have been 'staged' by military forces to try and
        generate disharmony. Most recently, Sri Lanka shelled a Muslim
        village and immediately put out word it was the work of the LTTE.
        Similar stage-managed incidents can be expected in the future as
        empathy between Tamils and Muslims in the East continues to
        harden. The LTTE's political head emphasised the need for Tamils
        and Muslims to work together to withstand these sinister efforts
        and continue building on the strong friendship that exists at
        present.

TRAINING CENTRE OPENS IN VANNI
        The LTTE administration in Vanni - with the financial assistance
        of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) and Akkarayan
        Development Society - is about to open a work-training centre in
        Akkarayan. The centre, which opens tomorrow, will help residents
        of the area to develop useful work-skills which it is hoped can
        lead to gainful employment. In addition to militarily resisting
        Sri Lankan occupation of traditional Tamil lands the LTTE also
        makes every effort to plan for the future well-being of the Tamil
        nation.

FORCES CLASH AT NAVALADY JUNCTION
        Three LTTE fighters died in a confrontation with a large group of
        Sri Lankan soldiers lying concealed at a road junction. Two Sri
        Lankan soldiers were also killed in the incident which took place
        at 9 pm on Wednesday at Navalady junction.  

Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

(English translation of the LTTE statement released by
LTTE International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU,
United Kingdom. Tel:0181- 503 4294 / Fax: 0181-470 8593)