By Gomin Dayasri
With the security forces at the entrance to Killinochchi, the foreign legion unhappy with the military success they failed to achieve in their military exercises in Iraq and Afghanistan, have commenced to preach humanitarian values which they never exercised in their military operations. It is ironical to hear Richard Boucher, Benita -Ferrero Waldner, Julian Wilson and our undiplomatic German Ambassador spout on human rights in Sri Lanka displaying their abbreviated memory of events of November 2004 in Falluja, Iraq where the occupying US Forces launched their second major attack on the city of Falluja.
It had all the ingredients required to bring the US military on charges against the War Crimes Act of USA on allegations of human rights violations. Where were these eminent persons? Were their distance voices heard?
The attack on Faluja started with eliminating the power supply and pounding the city with 500 lb bombs. The US marines targeted ambulances and randomly shot civilians, US Marines closed the main hospital in order to use it as a military position. Mark Curtis- Unpeople (2004) page18. Marines blocked the road leading to the two main hospitals. Steven Poole- Unspeak (2006) page 111. In Operation Phantom Fury of Falluja, US military command tried to justify the attack on the hospital describing it as a haven for the insurgents but as expressed by Guardian Weekly of Nov 12-18, 2004 this was a centre from which high death tolls of patients were accounted, much to military frustration. [We are providing the hospitals at Killinochchi and Mullativu which treats the terrorists' medical facilities and pays staff and medical expenses]
The bombing campaign was directed to empty the city but not the male population between ages 15 to 45; they were not permitted to flee Falluja to ensure the bombing reached the required target. It was the reverse of the Srebrenica massacre where the Serbs trucked out women and children holding the men captive. In Falluja babies and pregnant mothers unable to leave were killed because the attackers who ordered their flight thereupon cordoned off the city, closing the exit roads. (Micheal Byers- War Law: An Introduction to International Law and Armed Conflict page 85).[Can these human rights angels in the Wanni operations refer to any such calculated atrocities targeting a selective civil population where men of fighting age are exclusively identified for elimination and no safe passage is left for the infants and invalids to leave. We have an open corridor for safe passage and humanitarian assistance on crossing which are prevented by the LTTE with no limitations]
Celebrated journalist Jo Wilding in his account 'Eye Witness in Falluja' ( Tell me No Lies-edited by John Pilger page 573) "Snipers are causing not just carnage but also the paralysis of the ambulance and evacuation services. The biggest hospital after the main one was bombed, is in US territory and cut off from the clinic by snipers."
The US Army began its ground attack with the infantry conquering the Falluja General Hospital. The front page of the NewYork Times(8.Nov 2004) reported "patients and hospital employees were rushed out of hospital rooms by armed soldiers and ordered to sit or lie on the floor while troops tied their hands behind their backs". A supporting photograph was also published and presented as a gallant accomplishment. [ Is not our Press more objective and less jingoistic?]
It was confirmed by BBC and Reuters in a report by Dr Sami al-Jumaili of US war planes bombing the Central Health Care Centre in Falluja killing 35 patients and 24 staff members. Dr Eiman al Ani of the Falluja General Hospital stated the entire Health Centre shortly after the attack collapsed on the patients. It is no surprise as the US air planes shelled the Chinese embassy in Belgrade and a moving passenger train during NATO bombing of Serbia in planes equipped with precision bombing devices. [ NATO pilots have much to learn on accurate targeting from the Sri Lanka Air Force with less sophisticated leaser instruments. The core issue is- we are concerned of our Tamil citizens in the North and are treated like fellow citizens unlike the US Forces who treated the Iraqi civilians as alien Islamic terrorists.]
The US military denied access to the Iraqi Red Crescent to Falluja which amounts to a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Sir Nigel Young CEO of British Red Cross condemned it as a dangerous precedent. Doctors reported that the entire medical staff had been locked in the main hospital and tied up when the US attack began under military orders. Red Cross issued a statement blaming all combatants of "utter contempt of humanity" Guardian 15 December 2004.[ ICRC operated freely in the Wanni region including transferring the dead of all combats.]
In Dining with Terrorist Phil Rees at page 372 describes "a photographer working for Associated Press saw American helicopters cutting down a family of five as they tried to flee .......A US marine was filmed in a mosque in Falluja shooting an unarmed wounded man in the head while he lay on the ground."
The ruined city of 250000 in Falluja was devoid of electricity, running water and schools. [ Sri Lanka provided all these facilities to areas under LTTE domination without levying any taxes. Till the LTTE forcibly dislocated the population in Killinochchi these facilities were available to the Northern public.] John K Cooley in Alliance against Babylon page 219 states homes were bull dozed and tanks punched holes in buildings without totally collapsing them.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Right to Food Jean Zieglar accused US and UK troops in Iraq of "breaching international law by depriving civilians of food water in besieged cities as they seek to flush out the militants". He also alleged that US forces "cut off or restricted food and water to encourage residents to flee before the assault". He further stated" using hunger and deprivation of water as a weapon of war against the civilian population {in} flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions" Reuters 15 October 2005; also Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe and London Independent 15.Oct 2005. [UN officials are permitted to accompany supplies vehicles to Killinochchi and Mullativu and before LTTE deserted Killinochchi UN and other NGOs maintained established bases in Killinochchi. The Forces gave them adequate notice until 29th September to leave as a security concern yet permit them to operate from safe sanctuaries]
The leading medical journal of UK Lancet in October 2004 reported the death toll associated with the invasion and occupation of Iraq may be higher than 100,000.World Food Program reported "significant countrywide shortages of rice, milk and infant formulas". Acute malnutrition doubled within 16 months of the occupation of Iraq to the level of Burundi, well above Haiti and Uganda, a figure that translates to approximately 4000000 Iraqi children suffering from 'wasting', a condition characterized by chronic diarrhea and dangerous deficiencies of proteins.[We are ensuring a flow of the essentials notwithstanding attempts by the LTTE to disrupt humanitarian operations]
Shiite and Kurdish militias often operating as part of the Iraq government security forces carried out abductions and assassinations. More than a million since US occupation have sought refuge in Syria and Jordan mostly professionals and secular moderates. ( Chomsky Failed State page 54)
Boucher's master George Bush told his troops "I know what you are doing in Iraq is right". Jo Wildings in Eye Witness in Falluja responded "Well George. I too know now. I know what it looks like when an operation is being done without anesthetic because hospitals are destroyed or under sniper fire and the city's under siege and aid isn't getting in properly. I know what it sounds like too. I know what it looks like when tracer bullets are passing your head, even though you are in an ambulance".
Falluja is just another fang in a venomous elongated trail that runs in living memory across borders of Vietnam, Laos, Guatemala, Chile, Nicaragua, Grenada, Panama, Columbia, Haiti, Afghanistan and Pakistan relating back to Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After a 30 year war in an economically backward society our human rights record stands distinctly superior to the United States in military matters; welfare measures are provided for the people in the uncleared areas though our economy is not healthy.
These western observers who carry the self proclaimed tag 'international community' (though in fact they represent just a few countries) must practice what they preach and if they desire to learn the art of safeguarding human rights while facing the deadliest of terrorists they should follow the Wanni battle for their edification and education of a humanitarian exercise. In war, breaches of humanitarian restrains are inevitable but in the present exercise in Sri Lanka the preservation of human rights is high on the agenda than in the wars US are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan. Should they not tell it to the Marines!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
SLA crush LTTE defences: fall of Nachchikuda imminent
 |
Troops of the Task Force -1, launched a multi-pronged offensive at the LTTE's western coastal bastion at Nachchikuda, from early this morning (Oct 28), most decisive since August, after fighting brokeout between troops and LTTE to gain dominance of the vital terrain.
The military offensive was mounted with intense artillery fire and infantry support as troops threw back LTTE counter attacks, destroying and capturing vital terror positions in the area. The military battle formations were drawn from the North and South of Nachchikuda, scoring heavy LTTE casualties. The fall of Nachchikuda is imminent as troops are now poised to launch an all-out offensive at the remaining terrorist strong points.
The LTTE has being attempting to stall the military advance along the A-32 Mannar -Pooneryn main road, especially Nachchikuda, defence observers said adding that the loss would worsen the LTTE's hope of survival along the western coast. The Western coast remains to be the main life line for the LTTE since the double blow following the liberation of east and denial of the A-9 trunk road.
Also, troops positioned at Kunchchikulama and North of Manniyankulama stepped-up assaults at identified LTTE locations further extending its dominance in the area, Wanni defence sources said.
Meanwhile, fighting was reported South of Jayapuram as troops continued running into LTTE defences. Military claimed heavy LTTE casualties in the hours long confrontations, reported since early this morning.
The gain of Nachchikuda remains to be the main prize for military, after the fall of Vidattaltivu, a main LTTE sea tiger base in the western coast. The military offensives launched by the Task Force -1, under the command of Brigadier Shaveendra Silva in the western coast in Kilinochchi District, are aimed at opening a humanitarian land supply route while also denying supply lines for LTTE.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Open the gates of Hell - and let my people go ...
(By: Selva Gnanam- Melbourne)
I was not at all surprised to read the article by Dr. Nadesan in the 'Asian Tribune' explaining why it was time to release the long suffering people from the clutches of the LTTE and their despotic leader. I applaud him wholeheartedly for writing what most Tamils wanted to say, but did not have the 'ticker' to take the first step. I, as he once was, was an ardent supporter of 'Eelam'.
I came to this country by using the excuse of 'genocide' by the Sinhala-Buddhist people, when in reality I left the country with a passport issued by the Sri Lankan Government, and boarded a plane from her international airport. Before 'becoming a refugee', I lived amongst the Sinhala people all my life, went to school with 99% of my friends from that community, enjoyed life with them and graduated from one of that country's premier universities. I was able to find gainful employment (yet it was more difficult then back there, because of my so-called 'Indian accent') in this country because of the quality of education I received, free of charge.
As soon as I landed in Australia, I began working towards obtaining my Permanent Resident Visa by betraying and demonizing my best and dearest friends. I used the '1983 Black July' riots to justify my case, when I knew very well that no decent Sinhala person was even remotely involved in it. I knew it was not an 'ethnic problem'. I knew it was a 'social' problem whereby the people living on the fringes of society, made use of the situation to loot and grab whatever they could from wherever they could. They came from all ethnic groups, including Tamils. I was frightened but I also knew that it was temporary. All thewhile, the people whom I demonized (when I came here) were my 'guardians'. They lived in our homes till the situation became normal. I blamed the government of the day entirely for letting the situation get out of control, and I still do.
As time passed, I began reflecting on what I had done and was continuing to do. As a devout Hindu, I could not justify my support for an organisation that had decimated the Tamil population, eliminated its academics and leaders, taken our youngsters and turned them into killers but claimed to be our 'sole representative'. I read of young girls (who had escaped from the Vanni) being raped by senior LTTE cadres and later offered to foreigners as'entertainment' (these girls would later volunteer as suicide bombers because they were not 'pure' any more).
Then I realised why so many Westerners came to the Vanni for 'direct negotiations' with the LTTE, and why they were backing the LTTE in Sri Lanka, while fiercely opposing terrorism in their countries. It was an 'erotic escaped' in an exotic island, far away from wife/husband and family. I heard of Tamils terrorising their communities in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, etc. to collect funds for the 'cause'. I heard of some of them 'living it up' with these funds. I realised, slowly and painfully, what was happening to our people in the guise of 'liberating' them.
We had created a huge monster which was devouring our people but had no power to destroy it. A 'global business' with ships, credit card frauds, people smuggling, narcotic trading, arms smuggling, a bandwagon of NGOs and the 'international community' to support the 'cause' But the 'cause' itself was now nowhere in the picture. The 'effect' or the outcome of the cause was far better than the actual 'cause'. It was big money and living the good life in the West, as it also was for the Tiger 'big wigs' in the Vanni. So who cared about the helpless people in 'Eelam'.
First the Tamil Diaspora began whispering these concerns. Now they have began writing about them. Soon it will become be a huge roar. But will it be too late for our people back home.
We need to act immediately. Let the people living in the Vanni decide their future. Let the 'international community' the NGOs, church leaders, Human Rights organisations and everybody supporting the LTTE come and observe who decides to leave 'Eelam'.
Let the Government afford safe passage to anybody who wants to leave. Offer them decent living conditions in safe refugee camps, till they are able to go to their homes once the fighting ends.
Let us add a little prefix to Dr. Nadesan's article heading and say "Open the gates of Hell - and let my people go in peace, to wherever they want to go".
Courtesy: The Island
LTTE attack merchant ships carrying essential supplies to civilians; Navy captures suicide boat - Jaffna
LTTE terrorists have carried out a suicide
attack targeting Merchant Ship Ruhuna and
Nimalawa, in the north sea
of Sri Lanka at 5.10, this morning (Oct 22), defence
sources said. The attack
is
viewed as another cowardly attempt by the terrorists to deny essential
supplies to the civilians living in war affected areas, the sources added.
Meanwhile, Navy spokesperson, Commander DKP Dassanayake told
defence.lk that 3 LTTE suicide vessels have come for the attack. Navy sailors
providing security onboard the targeted vessels have engaged machine gun fire at the approaching suicide boats effectively, and destroyed two of them before ramming on the ships, he said. However, he added that one of the suicide boats have exploded in close proximity to Merchant Ship Nimalawa causing slight damages to the ship's hull .
He further said that the third suicide craft has been captured by navy boats. The LTTE suicide cadre who was operating the boat believed to be killed in the Navy retaliation, he added.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Troops Pierce LTTE's last ditch earth bund in South of Kilinochchi
Army 57 division troops yesterday (Oct 18) pierced LTTE built earth bund in Akkarayankulam, the terrorists' last major defence in the South of Kilinochchi built up. According to battlefield sources, troops dominated about 3 km stretch on the earth bund and captured 19 heavily fortified LTTE bunkers during an offensive conducted since last morning.
Troops launched the offensives around 5.45 AM with two main thrusts attacking the west and the east of the Akkarayankulam tank. Army infantryman moving from the west of the tank scored a major success against the terrorists with capture of 2 km stretch on the earth bund and the 19 terror bunkers.
Meanwhile, troops moving from the east of Akkarayankulam tank had to slowdown their advance at the initial stages as the terrorists launched poisonous gas attacks at them. However, troops withstood the chemical attack and beat off the terrorists, dominating about 1 km stretch on the LTTE earth bund.
According to the available information, several soldiers made their ultimate sacrifice for the nation while many others suffered injuries during this battle. Many of the own casualties were due to booby traps, AP mines and mortar fire. Battlefield sources confirmed that that the terrorists suffered significant attrition in terms man and material. At present, troops are moving in to the LTTE hiding areas in the north of Akkarayankulam tank, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Task Force 1 troops deployed on the left flank of the 57 division, moved further into the Nachchikudha terror stronghold. Troops had daylong clashes in the Nachchikudha , Vannerikulam and Manniyakkulam areas and claimed heavy damages to the terrorist. According to the sources , LTTE was making a desperate attempt to retain their last major foothold on the northwestern coast of the island that gave the vital life line for the terror outfit across the Palk Strait.
Wanni liberation operation continues.
Fight not against Tamils, but against LTTE terrorism -Defence Secretary
[By: Shanika Sriyananda]
While concer
ns about the plight of Wanni civilians escalated with more MPs from the Tamil Nadu Government resigning in protest and demanding the intervention of the Indian Central Government, the Sri Lankan Government reiterated its commitment to end LTTE terrorism. While the issue has reached boiling point in Tamil Nadu which is going for its elections soon, Sri Lanka's no nonsense Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that it was very unfair for Tamil Nadu to demand of the Indian Government, which has a longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka, to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to halt military offensives against the LTTE. Rajapaksa, who fought many battles against the LTTE when he was in the Army, told the Sunday Observer that the fight is not against Tamils, but to combat LTTE terrorism.
"More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem to India. Therefore, India should assist us more to defeat
LTTE terrorism", he said.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: What is the military assistance that Sri Lanka is getting at the moment?
* Government will continue to have a close relationship with India and will continue to get military assistance.
* Humanitarian crisis in Wanni is LTTE's false propaganda.
* Government is trying to liberate Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE.
* Tamil Nadu has come forward to save the LTTE, but no one can save the LTTE.
* Government has adopted the zero casualty of civilians.
* Civilians will break all hard rules of the LTTE and come to liberated areas.
* Prabhakaran is a terrorist, not a democrat.
* Tamil Diaspora and the international community should understand the ground realities of the war.
* Young LTTE cadres should not be caught up in LTTE's false promise of an Eelam.
* Media needs to be responsible in reporting in the present context.
A: From the inception of the Sri Lankan Army we are getting military assistance from India and it is mainly the training. We have a good relationship with India and also with its military. Indian military assistance for us is not a new thing and we are getting their help for the last so many years. Among the military assistance, training of military personnel is given priority. But, India is not giving us any offensive weapons like artillery and mortars or aircraft. However, we will continue to have our relationship with India and continue to get whatever the assistance we are getting from India.
Q: But, some political parties in Tamil Nadu have demanded of the Indian Government to stop all military assistance to us until our government stops the war in Wanni.
A: It is a very unfair request by them because we have a long-term bilateral relationship with India. Tamil Nadu should not request that because we are not fighting against Tamils, but against terrorism, which is a deadly menace to the whole world. More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem for India.
In fact, we should get more assistance from India to counter terrorism. Especially the LTTE is a banned organisation. These politicians must not forget that their popular leader, loved by most of the Indians, was killed by the LTTE. They should not forget problems that the LTTE has created in Tamil Nadu. There were LTTE gangs and the law and order was completely messed up by the LTTE. These political parties should realise that the so-called problems faced by Wanni civilians are false propaganda by the LTTE. They must understand the ground realities. Here, we are trying to safeguard Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE. This has been proved very clearly during the last three years. How we have liberated the Eastern Province is the best example. It is clear how we have cleared the area from the LTTE, and how we have transferred the power to their own people. Now they have their own Chief Minister and an MP who were former LTTEers. It is the best example to show the effectiveness of the power of the people rather than power of the gun. There the Government has given the former guerillas to come to the democratic mainstream to develop their much neglected areas. It is the responsibility of everyone to help them to learn the art of living within a democratic framework. It is not an easy task for them too. They have to change their previous stances to adjust themselves into the new life.
On the other hand, only this Government has given the Eastern Tamils the opportunity to have their own administration. The 13th Amendment was brought decades back but till this year it was not practised.
Q: Tamil Nadu politicians are trying their best to halt military offensives in Wanni. Why do you think that they have suddenly become so vociferous about civilians?
A: The LTTE has been trying and waiting for this to happen so long. We know that some of the TNA MPs are living in these areas and they are working hard on behalf of the LTTE. They have also invited the Tamil Nadu politicians to come forward to save the LTTE. Because it is very clear that the LTTE is at a decisive stage. And no one can stop them getting defeated. So, they are trying their maximum to get Tamil Nadu to pressurise the Indian Government to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government. That is what the LTTE want and that is why this sudden pressure is coming. The Government expects this situation as we know there is no other way for the LTTE. Anyway, the LTTE cannot escape facing military offensives now.
Q: TMVP leader Karuna Amman called this a political gimmick as the TN elections are around the corner. What is your comment?
A: Yes, the election is also another factor for them to be so active. These issues would be popular among them to attract Tamils there. The other is the false propaganda by the LTTE to show there is a humanitarian crisis in Wanni.
Q: What are the other major concerns of India apart from the military operations?
A: One issue is about their fishermen. For the last so many years the Sri Lankan Government has allowed Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters.But as these waters are in the high security zones the Sri Lankan fishermen were not allowed to do fishing. But as a good gesture the Government has allowed the Indian fishermen to carry on fishing. They have crossed the international borders and are doing fishing in these areas. We have not taken any action but only thing we have requested is for them to stick to the security stipulations because the LTTE was using these fishermen to attack the Sri Lankan Navy. They pretend to be fishermen to carry out these attacks and smuggle weapons. We have asked them not to fish in areas which are very close to military camps and navel bases. Instead of going against the Sri Lankan Government the TN government must thank us for allowing their people to do fishing in our waters. For the last three years we have never prosecuted a single Indian fisherman though they are coming to our areas. Though we have arrested and questioned them, they were not subjected to any legal process. But look at the plight of the Sri Lankan fishermen who are fishing in Indian waters. They are being arrested, prosecuted and detained for over two to three months. There is not a single Indian fisherman in our custody.
The Tamil Nadu Government should educate their fishermen about our security concerns instead of putting pressure on us.
Another issue is the IDPs. It is not a crisis in Sri Lanka. It is very clear how this government tackled the IDP issue in the East. There was a large number of displaced people during the clearing of the East. Over 95 a percent of the IDPs are now resettled and we have solved the issue better than any other part of the world. Now we are prepared to tackle the IDP issue in the North and we have begun sending food and necessary items for the civilians trapped in Wanni. Though the LTTE is holding the land and control people, the administration is run by the Government through the GAs who are responsible for the distribution of food and handling of all other sectors from education to health to welfare.
What the LTTE did and is doing is controlling these civilians by force. Now what the Government is trying is to take this control out from them to establish democracy. No responsible government can allow anyone to terrorise its people. The administrative control is there and we are trying to provide food for the civilians who are trapped in Wanni. The Government will not discontinue sending relief and we will continue to feed these people. Last week over 39 civilians have fled from Mullaithivu to Pulmudei. They did not complaint about lack of food, but the reason that they have come to these areas is because they wanted to escape the LTTE. There is a youth who has got entrance to the Jaffna University, but the LTTE has blocked him so he has come to liberated area with his family. So we have arranged for him to go to Jaffna University. The LTTE is trying to create a humanitarian crisis there for their own benefits.
Q: India is also concerned about civilian casualties. Are there any steps taken to minimise the number of civilian casualties?
A: The policy of the Government in these military offensives is the zero casualty of civilian's. We can proudly boast about the zero casualties in the Eastern liberation. That does not exist anywhere in the world. No military can talk about this concept and only the Sri Lankan military has adopted this concept because the Government is seriously concerned about people of this country. Whether they are Sinhalese or Tamils or Muslims, the Government is bound to look after them all. We consider all these communities as Sri Lankans.
Q: But can the military maintain the same concept when the offensives are getting stronger?
A: At one stage civilians will break all hard rules of the LTTE and come to liberated areas. They will not remain in the midsts of the battle. This is not just a prediction but the reality which happened in the East. People came from Sampur to Vakarai and then crossed into government controlled areas. Same process will take place in Mullaithivu also.The pictures about civilian casualties published in the pro LTTE web sites were not taken in the recent past but very old ones. What I want to reiterate is that the Government is not against Tamils but purely against terrorism.
Q: Another major allegation is that the Rajapaksa Government is encouraging genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. What is your comment?
A: I strongly refute that allegation. That is not the truth and genocide is not taking place in Sri Lanka. That is just propaganda by the LTTE. They use these words like 'genocide' to get more international attention. As a responsible government we know exactly who the innocent Tamils are and who the terrorists are. Our responsibility is to look after the innocent Tamil civilians and destroy the terrorists. Remember, they are only talking about a Tamil population of 150,000 who are living in Kilinochchi and Mullathiv. But what about the Tamils who are scattered throughout the country. They are living with all the communities like in a one family. If genocide is taking place in Sri Lanka how many Tamils living in these areas would have been killed upto now? This is all propaganda work of the terrorists. It is time for the Tamil Diaspora and the international community to understand these ground realities.
Q: If India pressurises to halt military offensives, will the Government stop military offensives to liberate Wanni?
A: I am sure that India will not do so. We have clearly underlined our stand.
The Sri Lankan President reiterated that if there are issues for the Tamils or any other community, those will be solved through political means. The Government is not trying to resolve the national problem through military means. What we are trying is to crush a military matter militarily. The LTTE terrorism is a military issue and sees what they are doing through terror - killing innocent people and politicians who go against them. The LTTE does not spare anyone who stands against them. I believe that there is no other way to control terrorism and it is only through military means.
Q: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too wanted the Government to come up with a negotiated settlement rather than a military solution.
A: Yes, negotiations should be done among the democratic political parties.
That is what he has meant. That is what the All Party Conference summoned by the President is all about. All the political parties were asked to take part and that is the place for negotiations. President Rajapaksa is committed to negotiate with the political parties. What they can do at the APC is to discuss and come out with a proposal to solve the national problem and then if it is acceptable the President can implement the proposal. But in the mean time he had given them the opportunity to find ways to solve the problem within the frame work of the available Constitution. The best method that we have is the 13th Amendment, but the President asked the APC members whether there is a necessity to go beyond the 13th Amendment.
Q: Is there any possibility to bring Prabhakaran into peace talks?
A: We have tried this several times, but Prabhakaran is a terrorist and not a democrat. The Government does not want to talk to him as we had been cheated previously. Bringing Prabhakaran to the negotiating table is not a new thing and for the last twenty years, five Presidents tried to talk with him. The UNP which tried for 14 years had ended up with Prabhakaran blowing up President Premadasa. Then the Chandrika Bandaranaike Government tried. The international third parties India and Norway intervened but failed.
All these occasions the LTTE strengthened themselves to hit back at the Security Forces. They used peace talks as a cover up to open avenues to procure arms, and recruit new cadres. During the last period of the Ceasefire Agreement what they did was strengthen their military power. The amount of weapons including heavy artillery and mortars, machine guns, explosives that we captured from the East are the evidences for this claim. They got aircrafts and boats for their Sea Tiger Unit during the CFA. They had trained their cadres during the CFA. Recently a person arriving from Malaysia who was taken into custody disclosed where huge amounts of explosives were hidden in some areas.
The stock was brought to Colombo during the CFA and hidden to use later.
We found lots of explosives from the upcountry. They have trained suicide cadres during the CFA and constructed bunkers in strategically important places during the CFA as they had a military plan to capture Trincomalee.
According to their plan, they prepared to declare Eelam. It is fool hardy for anybody to talk with Prabhakaran or the LTTE now. The LTTE is not the sole representative of the people and there are moderate Tamil leaders in this country. They are the people whom the Government should talk with. They are the people that should get involved in the APC and come out with a proposal but not Prabhakaran.
Q: As the Secretary Defence are you happy with the military successes that the Security Forces are gaining?
A: Yes, of course. What we have achieved for the last three years we have never achieved in the last twenty years. We have done extremely well in defeating the LTTE. This is mainly thanks to the Commanders of the three forces and other military leaders at various levels. And also this is due to the commitment of the soldiers. Their courage has brought us military victories.
Q: According to your predictions how soon can the Security Forces capture the entire Wanni?
A: It is very difficult to give time frames because in military operations we never know what obstacles you come across. But, we are confident of liberating Wanni. We have some more areas in Kilinochchi and Mullathiv, where they have been concentrating for longer periods as they know that they have to fight hard with the military one day. But facing whatever the difficulties, the military will capture the entire Wanni.
Q: Talking about the improvement of man and fire power of the Security Forces, are we steady enough to face any offensive in future?
A: Yes, we have developed the strength of the three forces and the Police during the last three years. It is an increase of 30 percent and we are bringing more armour and getting more training. We are superior number wise and also quality wise. Sri Lankan Security Forces have professionalism now. Training is the number one and lots of emphasis has been given to improve training at all levels. Now our forces are well trained and have the capability of facing any situation. The officers are very professional. Well trained and ready to face any situation. At the same time, from the Commanders to the three forces most of the officers have faced the LTTE. They have gone through all the major operations and have lots of experience and knowledge on how to adapt to situations. This has made it easy to change the operational tactics and that has brought lots of success. With regard to fire power we have a high standard and most importantly the morale of commitment is also high among the soldiers.
Q: Do we need additional man power to liberate Wanni?
A: Recruitment and training is going on. It is not only getting the control of Wanni, maintaining the stability is also important. Then only normalcy will prevail. We will continue with the recruiting process and training.
Q: The LTTE had used CF gas thrice to attack the front lines. Is there any information that they will use more deadly chemicals and are we ready to face such attacks?
A: Yes, they have used gas at the front lines. They may be having similar varieties in their hands but they cannot bring more developed ones in large quantities. We are ready to face such attacks and those who are in the front lines have been given protective masks. We have countered those attacks effectively and I do not think it would be a serious problem for us. And I do not think that they would develop more deadly ones. If they had the capability they would have attacked us earlier.
Q: What is your message for the LTTE leaders and cadres and as the Secretary Defence can you guarantee their safety?
A: Yes, definitely we will assure their safety and the Government is compelled to do so if they come unarmed. The best example is the East. Those cadres who were fighting with the Security Forces have given up arms and surrendered. Now the Government is helping them to go back to normal life. They have been rehabilitated and given vocational training.
Similarly, if those who are in Wanni come to us leaving their arms we will welcome them. Those who are unarmed would not be considered as LTTE terrorists but welcomed as normal civilians. So anybody can give up arms and cross to liberated areas, Then we can support them to get back to normal life.
I think these youth should not be caught in the LTTE's false propaganda or their ideologies that they can declare Eelam.
It is very attractive to promise young people to give them a separate country and to motivate them to kill whoever goes against their ideology. It is very easy to give a wrong impression of a government or a particular community. It is also easy to brainwash these young minds. It is time for them to understand, what the LTTE leader brought for Tamils for the last three decades. It is nothing other than destruction.
The LTTE cadres should understand now that they are the people who are suffering.
Prabhakaran has destroyed the lives of his own people, their education and also their culture. These cadres should also remember that the Tamils who are living abroad like Canada, USA, UK and in other European countries while having luxury lives send money not to develop the lives of their own people, who are suffering under the clutches of the LTTE but to strengthen the LTTE.
They put the innocent Tamils more into war while doing good jobs and giving good education to their children. But the children of innocent Tamils are fighting and dying for an unworthy cause.
Q: You had clashes with the media in the recent past. What is your present assessment about media?
A: I have no clashes with the media, but what I have said was that the media has to be responsible in reporting. That is very important as this is not a normal situation. Because now we are facing this problem for more than twenty years. It is very clear that defeating LTTE terrorism is vital if the country needs permanent peace. The Government cannot allow the LTTE to continue like this. How many generations are to go through this? One can forget the past and just talk and write. But in the present context they should analyse and talk.
If they want this country to be a united country, then everybody has to support to destroy the LTTE. It is good to talk about media freedom, but media freedom comes after the freedom of the country. Without a country it is useless to talk about media freedom. Without jeopardising the thing media should help the Security Forces to defeat the LTTE.
Courtesy : Sundayobserver
While concer
ns about the plight of Wanni civilians escalated with more MPs from the Tamil Nadu Government resigning in protest and demanding the intervention of the Indian Central Government, the Sri Lankan Government reiterated its commitment to end LTTE terrorism. While the issue has reached boiling point in Tamil Nadu which is going for its elections soon, Sri Lanka's no nonsense Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that it was very unfair for Tamil Nadu to demand of the Indian Government, which has a longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka, to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government to halt military offensives against the LTTE. Rajapaksa, who fought many battles against the LTTE when he was in the Army, told the Sunday Observer that the fight is not against Tamils, but to combat LTTE terrorism."More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem to India. Therefore, India should assist us more to defeat
LTTE terrorism", he said.
Excerpts of the interview:
Q: What is the military assistance that Sri Lanka is getting at the moment?
* Government will continue to have a close relationship with India and will continue to get military assistance.
* Humanitarian crisis in Wanni is LTTE's false propaganda.
* Government is trying to liberate Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE.
* Tamil Nadu has come forward to save the LTTE, but no one can save the LTTE.
* Government has adopted the zero casualty of civilians.
* Civilians will break all hard rules of the LTTE and come to liberated areas.
* Prabhakaran is a terrorist, not a democrat.
* Tamil Diaspora and the international community should understand the ground realities of the war.
* Young LTTE cadres should not be caught up in LTTE's false promise of an Eelam.
* Media needs to be responsible in reporting in the present context.
A: From the inception of the Sri Lankan Army we are getting military assistance from India and it is mainly the training. We have a good relationship with India and also with its military. Indian military assistance for us is not a new thing and we are getting their help for the last so many years. Among the military assistance, training of military personnel is given priority. But, India is not giving us any offensive weapons like artillery and mortars or aircraft. However, we will continue to have our relationship with India and continue to get whatever the assistance we are getting from India.
Q: But, some political parties in Tamil Nadu have demanded of the Indian Government to stop all military assistance to us until our government stops the war in Wanni.
A: It is a very unfair request by them because we have a long-term bilateral relationship with India. Tamil Nadu should not request that because we are not fighting against Tamils, but against terrorism, which is a deadly menace to the whole world. More than for us, terrorism is a serious problem for India.
In fact, we should get more assistance from India to counter terrorism. Especially the LTTE is a banned organisation. These politicians must not forget that their popular leader, loved by most of the Indians, was killed by the LTTE. They should not forget problems that the LTTE has created in Tamil Nadu. There were LTTE gangs and the law and order was completely messed up by the LTTE. These political parties should realise that the so-called problems faced by Wanni civilians are false propaganda by the LTTE. They must understand the ground realities. Here, we are trying to safeguard Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE. This has been proved very clearly during the last three years. How we have liberated the Eastern Province is the best example. It is clear how we have cleared the area from the LTTE, and how we have transferred the power to their own people. Now they have their own Chief Minister and an MP who were former LTTEers. It is the best example to show the effectiveness of the power of the people rather than power of the gun. There the Government has given the former guerillas to come to the democratic mainstream to develop their much neglected areas. It is the responsibility of everyone to help them to learn the art of living within a democratic framework. It is not an easy task for them too. They have to change their previous stances to adjust themselves into the new life.
On the other hand, only this Government has given the Eastern Tamils the opportunity to have their own administration. The 13th Amendment was brought decades back but till this year it was not practised.
Q: Tamil Nadu politicians are trying their best to halt military offensives in Wanni. Why do you think that they have suddenly become so vociferous about civilians?
A: The LTTE has been trying and waiting for this to happen so long. We know that some of the TNA MPs are living in these areas and they are working hard on behalf of the LTTE. They have also invited the Tamil Nadu politicians to come forward to save the LTTE. Because it is very clear that the LTTE is at a decisive stage. And no one can stop them getting defeated. So, they are trying their maximum to get Tamil Nadu to pressurise the Indian Government to pressurise the Sri Lankan Government. That is what the LTTE want and that is why this sudden pressure is coming. The Government expects this situation as we know there is no other way for the LTTE. Anyway, the LTTE cannot escape facing military offensives now.
Q: TMVP leader Karuna Amman called this a political gimmick as the TN elections are around the corner. What is your comment?
A: Yes, the election is also another factor for them to be so active. These issues would be popular among them to attract Tamils there. The other is the false propaganda by the LTTE to show there is a humanitarian crisis in Wanni.
Q: What are the other major concerns of India apart from the military operations?
A: One issue is about their fishermen. For the last so many years the Sri Lankan Government has allowed Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters.But as these waters are in the high security zones the Sri Lankan fishermen were not allowed to do fishing. But as a good gesture the Government has allowed the Indian fishermen to carry on fishing. They have crossed the international borders and are doing fishing in these areas. We have not taken any action but only thing we have requested is for them to stick to the security stipulations because the LTTE was using these fishermen to attack the Sri Lankan Navy. They pretend to be fishermen to carry out these attacks and smuggle weapons. We have asked them not to fish in areas which are very close to military camps and navel bases. Instead of going against the Sri Lankan Government the TN government must thank us for allowing their people to do fishing in our waters. For the last three years we have never prosecuted a single Indian fisherman though they are coming to our areas. Though we have arrested and questioned them, they were not subjected to any legal process. But look at the plight of the Sri Lankan fishermen who are fishing in Indian waters. They are being arrested, prosecuted and detained for over two to three months. There is not a single Indian fisherman in our custody.
The Tamil Nadu Government should educate their fishermen about our security concerns instead of putting pressure on us.
Another issue is the IDPs. It is not a crisis in Sri Lanka. It is very clear how this government tackled the IDP issue in the East. There was a large number of displaced people during the clearing of the East. Over 95 a percent of the IDPs are now resettled and we have solved the issue better than any other part of the world. Now we are prepared to tackle the IDP issue in the North and we have begun sending food and necessary items for the civilians trapped in Wanni. Though the LTTE is holding the land and control people, the administration is run by the Government through the GAs who are responsible for the distribution of food and handling of all other sectors from education to health to welfare.
What the LTTE did and is doing is controlling these civilians by force. Now what the Government is trying is to take this control out from them to establish democracy. No responsible government can allow anyone to terrorise its people. The administrative control is there and we are trying to provide food for the civilians who are trapped in Wanni. The Government will not discontinue sending relief and we will continue to feed these people. Last week over 39 civilians have fled from Mullaithivu to Pulmudei. They did not complaint about lack of food, but the reason that they have come to these areas is because they wanted to escape the LTTE. There is a youth who has got entrance to the Jaffna University, but the LTTE has blocked him so he has come to liberated area with his family. So we have arranged for him to go to Jaffna University. The LTTE is trying to create a humanitarian crisis there for their own benefits.
Q: India is also concerned about civilian casualties. Are there any steps taken to minimise the number of civilian casualties?
A: The policy of the Government in these military offensives is the zero casualty of civilian's. We can proudly boast about the zero casualties in the Eastern liberation. That does not exist anywhere in the world. No military can talk about this concept and only the Sri Lankan military has adopted this concept because the Government is seriously concerned about people of this country. Whether they are Sinhalese or Tamils or Muslims, the Government is bound to look after them all. We consider all these communities as Sri Lankans.
Q: But can the military maintain the same concept when the offensives are getting stronger?
A: At one stage civilians will break all hard rules of the LTTE and come to liberated areas. They will not remain in the midsts of the battle. This is not just a prediction but the reality which happened in the East. People came from Sampur to Vakarai and then crossed into government controlled areas. Same process will take place in Mullaithivu also.The pictures about civilian casualties published in the pro LTTE web sites were not taken in the recent past but very old ones. What I want to reiterate is that the Government is not against Tamils but purely against terrorism.
Q: Another major allegation is that the Rajapaksa Government is encouraging genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. What is your comment?
A: I strongly refute that allegation. That is not the truth and genocide is not taking place in Sri Lanka. That is just propaganda by the LTTE. They use these words like 'genocide' to get more international attention. As a responsible government we know exactly who the innocent Tamils are and who the terrorists are. Our responsibility is to look after the innocent Tamil civilians and destroy the terrorists. Remember, they are only talking about a Tamil population of 150,000 who are living in Kilinochchi and Mullathiv. But what about the Tamils who are scattered throughout the country. They are living with all the communities like in a one family. If genocide is taking place in Sri Lanka how many Tamils living in these areas would have been killed upto now? This is all propaganda work of the terrorists. It is time for the Tamil Diaspora and the international community to understand these ground realities.
Q: If India pressurises to halt military offensives, will the Government stop military offensives to liberate Wanni?
A: I am sure that India will not do so. We have clearly underlined our stand.
The Sri Lankan President reiterated that if there are issues for the Tamils or any other community, those will be solved through political means. The Government is not trying to resolve the national problem through military means. What we are trying is to crush a military matter militarily. The LTTE terrorism is a military issue and sees what they are doing through terror - killing innocent people and politicians who go against them. The LTTE does not spare anyone who stands against them. I believe that there is no other way to control terrorism and it is only through military means.
Q: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too wanted the Government to come up with a negotiated settlement rather than a military solution.
A: Yes, negotiations should be done among the democratic political parties.
That is what he has meant. That is what the All Party Conference summoned by the President is all about. All the political parties were asked to take part and that is the place for negotiations. President Rajapaksa is committed to negotiate with the political parties. What they can do at the APC is to discuss and come out with a proposal to solve the national problem and then if it is acceptable the President can implement the proposal. But in the mean time he had given them the opportunity to find ways to solve the problem within the frame work of the available Constitution. The best method that we have is the 13th Amendment, but the President asked the APC members whether there is a necessity to go beyond the 13th Amendment.
Q: Is there any possibility to bring Prabhakaran into peace talks?
A: We have tried this several times, but Prabhakaran is a terrorist and not a democrat. The Government does not want to talk to him as we had been cheated previously. Bringing Prabhakaran to the negotiating table is not a new thing and for the last twenty years, five Presidents tried to talk with him. The UNP which tried for 14 years had ended up with Prabhakaran blowing up President Premadasa. Then the Chandrika Bandaranaike Government tried. The international third parties India and Norway intervened but failed.
All these occasions the LTTE strengthened themselves to hit back at the Security Forces. They used peace talks as a cover up to open avenues to procure arms, and recruit new cadres. During the last period of the Ceasefire Agreement what they did was strengthen their military power. The amount of weapons including heavy artillery and mortars, machine guns, explosives that we captured from the East are the evidences for this claim. They got aircrafts and boats for their Sea Tiger Unit during the CFA. They had trained their cadres during the CFA. Recently a person arriving from Malaysia who was taken into custody disclosed where huge amounts of explosives were hidden in some areas.
The stock was brought to Colombo during the CFA and hidden to use later.
We found lots of explosives from the upcountry. They have trained suicide cadres during the CFA and constructed bunkers in strategically important places during the CFA as they had a military plan to capture Trincomalee.
According to their plan, they prepared to declare Eelam. It is fool hardy for anybody to talk with Prabhakaran or the LTTE now. The LTTE is not the sole representative of the people and there are moderate Tamil leaders in this country. They are the people whom the Government should talk with. They are the people that should get involved in the APC and come out with a proposal but not Prabhakaran.
Q: As the Secretary Defence are you happy with the military successes that the Security Forces are gaining?
A: Yes, of course. What we have achieved for the last three years we have never achieved in the last twenty years. We have done extremely well in defeating the LTTE. This is mainly thanks to the Commanders of the three forces and other military leaders at various levels. And also this is due to the commitment of the soldiers. Their courage has brought us military victories.
Q: According to your predictions how soon can the Security Forces capture the entire Wanni?
A: It is very difficult to give time frames because in military operations we never know what obstacles you come across. But, we are confident of liberating Wanni. We have some more areas in Kilinochchi and Mullathiv, where they have been concentrating for longer periods as they know that they have to fight hard with the military one day. But facing whatever the difficulties, the military will capture the entire Wanni.
Q: Talking about the improvement of man and fire power of the Security Forces, are we steady enough to face any offensive in future?
A: Yes, we have developed the strength of the three forces and the Police during the last three years. It is an increase of 30 percent and we are bringing more armour and getting more training. We are superior number wise and also quality wise. Sri Lankan Security Forces have professionalism now. Training is the number one and lots of emphasis has been given to improve training at all levels. Now our forces are well trained and have the capability of facing any situation. The officers are very professional. Well trained and ready to face any situation. At the same time, from the Commanders to the three forces most of the officers have faced the LTTE. They have gone through all the major operations and have lots of experience and knowledge on how to adapt to situations. This has made it easy to change the operational tactics and that has brought lots of success. With regard to fire power we have a high standard and most importantly the morale of commitment is also high among the soldiers.
Q: Do we need additional man power to liberate Wanni?
A: Recruitment and training is going on. It is not only getting the control of Wanni, maintaining the stability is also important. Then only normalcy will prevail. We will continue with the recruiting process and training.
Q: The LTTE had used CF gas thrice to attack the front lines. Is there any information that they will use more deadly chemicals and are we ready to face such attacks?
A: Yes, they have used gas at the front lines. They may be having similar varieties in their hands but they cannot bring more developed ones in large quantities. We are ready to face such attacks and those who are in the front lines have been given protective masks. We have countered those attacks effectively and I do not think it would be a serious problem for us. And I do not think that they would develop more deadly ones. If they had the capability they would have attacked us earlier.
Q: What is your message for the LTTE leaders and cadres and as the Secretary Defence can you guarantee their safety?
A: Yes, definitely we will assure their safety and the Government is compelled to do so if they come unarmed. The best example is the East. Those cadres who were fighting with the Security Forces have given up arms and surrendered. Now the Government is helping them to go back to normal life. They have been rehabilitated and given vocational training.
Similarly, if those who are in Wanni come to us leaving their arms we will welcome them. Those who are unarmed would not be considered as LTTE terrorists but welcomed as normal civilians. So anybody can give up arms and cross to liberated areas, Then we can support them to get back to normal life.
I think these youth should not be caught in the LTTE's false propaganda or their ideologies that they can declare Eelam.
It is very attractive to promise young people to give them a separate country and to motivate them to kill whoever goes against their ideology. It is very easy to give a wrong impression of a government or a particular community. It is also easy to brainwash these young minds. It is time for them to understand, what the LTTE leader brought for Tamils for the last three decades. It is nothing other than destruction.
The LTTE cadres should understand now that they are the people who are suffering.
Prabhakaran has destroyed the lives of his own people, their education and also their culture. These cadres should also remember that the Tamils who are living abroad like Canada, USA, UK and in other European countries while having luxury lives send money not to develop the lives of their own people, who are suffering under the clutches of the LTTE but to strengthen the LTTE.
They put the innocent Tamils more into war while doing good jobs and giving good education to their children. But the children of innocent Tamils are fighting and dying for an unworthy cause.
Q: You had clashes with the media in the recent past. What is your present assessment about media?
A: I have no clashes with the media, but what I have said was that the media has to be responsible in reporting. That is very important as this is not a normal situation. Because now we are facing this problem for more than twenty years. It is very clear that defeating LTTE terrorism is vital if the country needs permanent peace. The Government cannot allow the LTTE to continue like this. How many generations are to go through this? One can forget the past and just talk and write. But in the present context they should analyse and talk.
If they want this country to be a united country, then everybody has to support to destroy the LTTE. It is good to talk about media freedom, but media freedom comes after the freedom of the country. Without a country it is useless to talk about media freedom. Without jeopardising the thing media should help the Security Forces to defeat the LTTE.
Courtesy : Sundayobserver
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The HINDU editorial warns New Delhi of LTTE conspiracy
(By: Walter Jayawardhana)
The executive editor of the Hindu, Malini Parathasarthy said in a signed editorial of the paper that despite the campaign masterminded by a desperate LTTE in Tamil Nadu the Indian government should maintain its policy of staying out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs.
The lengthy editorial carried on the paper's centre page said, "This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."
In no uncertain terms the editorial said, "It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."
The newspaper with 1.17 million circulation and considered the most influential national daily in India was commenting on the current agitation by Tamil political parties in the South Indian state to bring pressure on New Delhi to intervene and stop Sri Lanka's offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) the leaders of which are believed to be virtually trapped in their stronghold of Kilinochchi.
The editorial severely warned New Delhi that such an intervention would weaken the moral authority of India to fight against terrorism and separatism in Kashmir.
Parathasarathy, in her comment, under the headline, "The Dangers of Tamil Chauvinism" said, "For the last decade or so, New Delhi has successfully resisted the various attempts made by the LTTE and its supporters in Tamil Nadu to force it to intervene in the Sri Lankan crisis. If New Delhi were to express its disapproval, even implicitly, of Sri Lanka's sovereign right to recapture its own national territory from the LTTE, it would weaken the moral authority of India's own actions in regard to its struggle against terrorism and the separatist agitation in Kashmir. This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."
Parathasarathy said while India is anxiously grappling with the enormity of the horrific new threat to Indian society-terrorism- fast becoming an everyday reality on the streets political parties in Tamil Nadu led by the MDMK and the PMK "have recently plunged into high-pitched activity aimed at garnering support for the LTTE, a deadly terrorist organisation. These parties have launched a campaign in the State ostensibly to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils trapped in the war zone in northern Sri Lanka but the timing of this campaign which appears to have materialised overnight, is a dead giveaway. The Sri Lankan army, just two kilometers away from the LTTE's administrative capital, Kilinochchi, has successfully encircled the Tigers and their leader who are virtually trapped in their bunkers."
"For the first time in years," said Parathasarathy, "the Sri Lankan government appears to be on the brink of a major success in its battle with terrorism. There is now the very real prospect of the capture of the elusive LTTE chief, Velupillai Prabakaran, who is behind the assassination of a former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil Nadu's politicians clearly have different standards for India and for Sri Lanka. It would appear that they accept that battling terrorism in India and saving Kashmir from Islamist jihadis are important national tasks but not so in Sri Lanka which has been menaced for more than two decades by the LTTE.
It was the LTTE which pioneered terrorism in South Asia and produced two generations of suicide bombers who have claimed numerous high-profile victims. For far too long have the legitimate aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils been held hostage to the hegemonic ambitions of the LTTE chief Prabakaran who has consistently sabotaged all attempts to find political solutions to the conflict."
The editorial further said, "Yet the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution which was a consequence of the Indo-Sri Lankan Agreement of 1987, envisaging devolution of power to provincial councils has become a touchstone for the resolution of the ethnic conflict. The Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has made it clear that he remains committed to a political solution of this sort. In a meeting with the All Party Representative Conference (APRC) last Saturday, Mr. Rajapaksa emphasised that it was the duty of the Sri Lankan state "to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people in all parts of the country." He also took care to explain that the military action against the LTTE was against terrorism and not against the Tamil community.
"The Sri Lankan President has acquired unprecedented political space for his military campaign against the LTTE. Several factors including the rebellion of the powerful LTTE commander Karuna and the fact that there is now in place an elected provincial council in the Eastern Province have rendered irrelevant many of the points in the earlier Sri Lankan Tamil political platform.
That there is a credible and workable political solution now in sight has made it easier for Colombo to launch military operations against the LTTE. It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."
The executive editor of the Hindu, Malini Parathasarthy said in a signed editorial of the paper that despite the campaign masterminded by a desperate LTTE in Tamil Nadu the Indian government should maintain its policy of staying out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs.
The lengthy editorial carried on the paper's centre page said, "This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."
In no uncertain terms the editorial said, "It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."
The newspaper with 1.17 million circulation and considered the most influential national daily in India was commenting on the current agitation by Tamil political parties in the South Indian state to bring pressure on New Delhi to intervene and stop Sri Lanka's offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) the leaders of which are believed to be virtually trapped in their stronghold of Kilinochchi.
The editorial severely warned New Delhi that such an intervention would weaken the moral authority of India to fight against terrorism and separatism in Kashmir.
Parathasarathy, in her comment, under the headline, "The Dangers of Tamil Chauvinism" said, "For the last decade or so, New Delhi has successfully resisted the various attempts made by the LTTE and its supporters in Tamil Nadu to force it to intervene in the Sri Lankan crisis. If New Delhi were to express its disapproval, even implicitly, of Sri Lanka's sovereign right to recapture its own national territory from the LTTE, it would weaken the moral authority of India's own actions in regard to its struggle against terrorism and the separatist agitation in Kashmir. This latest campaign in Tamil Nadu masterminded by a desperate LTTE must not be allowed to undermine the sound policy decision upheld by successive Indian governments since 1991 to stay out of Sri Lanka's internal affairs."
Parathasarathy said while India is anxiously grappling with the enormity of the horrific new threat to Indian society-terrorism- fast becoming an everyday reality on the streets political parties in Tamil Nadu led by the MDMK and the PMK "have recently plunged into high-pitched activity aimed at garnering support for the LTTE, a deadly terrorist organisation. These parties have launched a campaign in the State ostensibly to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils trapped in the war zone in northern Sri Lanka but the timing of this campaign which appears to have materialised overnight, is a dead giveaway. The Sri Lankan army, just two kilometers away from the LTTE's administrative capital, Kilinochchi, has successfully encircled the Tigers and their leader who are virtually trapped in their bunkers."
"For the first time in years," said Parathasarathy, "the Sri Lankan government appears to be on the brink of a major success in its battle with terrorism. There is now the very real prospect of the capture of the elusive LTTE chief, Velupillai Prabakaran, who is behind the assassination of a former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Tamil Nadu's politicians clearly have different standards for India and for Sri Lanka. It would appear that they accept that battling terrorism in India and saving Kashmir from Islamist jihadis are important national tasks but not so in Sri Lanka which has been menaced for more than two decades by the LTTE.
It was the LTTE which pioneered terrorism in South Asia and produced two generations of suicide bombers who have claimed numerous high-profile victims. For far too long have the legitimate aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils been held hostage to the hegemonic ambitions of the LTTE chief Prabakaran who has consistently sabotaged all attempts to find political solutions to the conflict."
The editorial further said, "Yet the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution which was a consequence of the Indo-Sri Lankan Agreement of 1987, envisaging devolution of power to provincial councils has become a touchstone for the resolution of the ethnic conflict. The Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has made it clear that he remains committed to a political solution of this sort. In a meeting with the All Party Representative Conference (APRC) last Saturday, Mr. Rajapaksa emphasised that it was the duty of the Sri Lankan state "to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people in all parts of the country." He also took care to explain that the military action against the LTTE was against terrorism and not against the Tamil community.
"The Sri Lankan President has acquired unprecedented political space for his military campaign against the LTTE. Several factors including the rebellion of the powerful LTTE commander Karuna and the fact that there is now in place an elected provincial council in the Eastern Province have rendered irrelevant many of the points in the earlier Sri Lankan Tamil political platform.
That there is a credible and workable political solution now in sight has made it easier for Colombo to launch military operations against the LTTE. It is indeed the sovereign right of Sri Lanka as it is of India to eliminate any terrorist organisation that poses a fundamental threat to its survival as a nation."
Thursday, October 9, 2008
This will be end of LTTE terrorism - President
President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Al Jazeera television in an interview that this would be the end of the LTTE terrorists' battle for a separate State, adding that the terrorists should surrender to the military.
"LTTE cadres are willing to surrender to the Security Forces and many have done so," President Rajapaksa told the interviewer Tony Birtley.
He said that successive Governments in Sri Lanka had tried to persuade the LTTE to negotiate a political solution and failed, and that under the circumstances, the Government could not offer anything else to the terrorist group.
When asked whether it will take time to convince people that the peace process will bear fruit following what is acknowledged by many to be an inevitable military defeat of the LTTE, the President said that within a short span of time the Government was able to change the minds of the people of the Eastern Province as the Government is familiar with their aspirations and culture. President Rajapaksa said he believes in a political solution to the national issue and was confident that this would be best addressed after defeating the terrorists militarily.
He insisted that a political solution would be the answer to address the grievances of the Tamil people, not the terrorists.
He reiterated the Government's commitment to a political solution, but pointed out that the most important task at the moment is to defeat terrorism comprehensively.
Courtesy : Daily News
"LTTE cadres are willing to surrender to the Security Forces and many have done so," President Rajapaksa told the interviewer Tony Birtley.
He said that successive Governments in Sri Lanka had tried to persuade the LTTE to negotiate a political solution and failed, and that under the circumstances, the Government could not offer anything else to the terrorist group.
When asked whether it will take time to convince people that the peace process will bear fruit following what is acknowledged by many to be an inevitable military defeat of the LTTE, the President said that within a short span of time the Government was able to change the minds of the people of the Eastern Province as the Government is familiar with their aspirations and culture. President Rajapaksa said he believes in a political solution to the national issue and was confident that this would be best addressed after defeating the terrorists militarily.
He insisted that a political solution would be the answer to address the grievances of the Tamil people, not the terrorists.
He reiterated the Government's commitment to a political solution, but pointed out that the most important task at the moment is to defeat terrorism comprehensively.
Courtesy : Daily News
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