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Ballot not the bullet - FM

The ultimate decision of the entire peace process will totally depend on the ballot, but not on the bullet, Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando told BBC on Friday (28).

"The LTTE will have a role to play in the proposed interim administration. But ultimately - at some point, they also have to go before the people and get an endorsement. They have to prove the confidence and trust of the people through the ballot," Minister Fernando said.

He, who is now on an official visit to the UK to meet Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, was interviewed by BBC's producer of Asia Today Keshini Navaratnam.

Asked about the recent developments in the East, especially in Muttur and several other areas where a curfew was imposed to maintain law and order, the Minister said these were similar to the condition of a new born baby.

"Those are merely minor `feeding problems.' The newly born `MoU baby' will face dozens of such problems, which need urgent attention. It does not mean that the baby is unhealthy. His growth is smooth and steady.

The main goal is to protect this baby and keep him alive, and at last make him an important person to the entire world."

Citing examples from all over the world, Mr. Fernando said that there are enough examples to prove that an armed organisation could turn into a strong democratic political movement.

Commenting about the issue on deproscription of the LTTE he said, a local deban will not affect the international ban on the organisation. "The attitude of the international fora is very clear. It transpired when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and I met British Premier Blair where he said that they would lift the ban if and only if the LTTE renounces the path of violence," he said. 

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