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Annan hopes moves by Sri Lanka leader will not harm peace process

Annan hopes moves by Sri Lanka leader will not harm peace process

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today that he hoped the peace process in Sri Lanka would not be harmed by the President's decision to sack three cabinet ministers, temporarily suspend Parliament and order troops to guard key sites.

A spokesman for Mr. Annan issued a statement in New York saying the Secretary-General is closely monitoring the political developments in Sri Lanka following the decisions of President Chandrika Kumaratunga, which were announced earlier today.

Sri Lanka is engaged in a peace process with members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who are concentrated mainly in the north and east of the country, and who are claiming greater autonomy.

Mr. Annan's spokesman said "the Secretary-General wishes to reiterate that he continues to support this [peace] process."