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LTTE intransigence must cease

The ink was hardly dry on a statement issued by the EU condemning the LTTE for a series of abuses and irregularities including killings, when the life of another prime personality of the EPDP was snuffed out by the Tigers in the heart of Colombo.

By cold-bloodedly gunning down the EPDP's Balanadarajah, the LTTE has proved its intransigence once again and confirmed its notoriety as an organisation which is usually antagonistic to reconciliation and peaceful co-existence.

However, the LTTE' has established through this latest horrendous killing the validity of the criticisms which have been levelled against it by the EU and other sections of the world community which are supportive of peace in Sri Lanka.

If the LTTE is in earnest when it speaks of being desirous of bringing peace it should not only abide by the terms of the Ceasefire Agreement and respect democratic freedoms and values, but ensure that a climate conducive to peace-making prevails in the country.

In addition to abstaining from carrying out political killings, it needs to respect and help in perpetuating the rights of other sections of the Tamil community, besides those of others, and refrain from engaging in child recruitments and abductions which have compounded the misery of the North-East people. Unfortunately the world is yet to come across substantial and concrete evidence that the "Tigers have indeed changed their stripes."

In these circumstances, the Government has done right by taking the LTTE to task for its intransigent, violent conduct. A Government Information Department statement, for instance, said, among things that: "The GoSL is concerned that these incidents are being perpetrated with disregard to the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement, and contrary to the spirit of building an environment for peace."

It is encouraging to find the Government calling a spade a spade. In contrast to the UNF administration which sought to gloss over LTTE atrocities for the sake of "peace", the Government has, rightly, decided to confront the LTTE on its intransigent behaviour.

This is as it should be. While every effort must be made by the Government to perpetuate the peace process, it shouldn't allow itself to fall into the trap of winking at LTTE atrocities in the name of peace. The LTTE, in other words, should be challenged to establish its bona fides. A Janus-faced LTTE, which practises terror while proclaiming peace would prove a risky proposition in the peace process.

We call on the LTTE to reject the path of terror and prove once and for all that it is for peace by hastening to the negotiating table. Nor should it be inflexible on the interim administration issue.

We do not see any A priori reason why its proposals and the Government's proposals on an interim arrangement cannot be taken up simultaneously at the negotiating table. Open ended negotiations are an ideal starting point for the peace journey.

Black Gold

Crude oil prices have soared to nearly US$ 47 per barrel, a record level in recent memory. The effects of the oil price surge are being felt around the world. Governments and regulatory authorities had no option but to raise prices at fuel pumps. Fuel prices hikes, especially in the case of diesel used in heavy vehicles, lead to a higher cost of living. That is a reality we cannot ignore, but it is difficult to sustain fuel subsidies beyond a certain point.

What goes up must come down, though many who know the nature of our traders will not agree. Oil prices will decrease eventually, though an exact time frame cannot be predicted at this stage. Saudi Arabia, the world's leading oil producer, has announced the availability of a spare capacity of 1.3 million barrels a day. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) also says it has a spare capacity of two million barrels a day that can be used to ease world oil prices. It is not clear when such stocks will be released with this aim in mind.

Although there is no immediate threat of oil and coal reserves running out, they will be exhausted one day. We can look the other way, knowing that present oil stocks will last for many generations to come. But that would not be a very prudent course of action. The search for viable alternatives has to begin now.

The incessant burning of fossil fuels has resulted in global warming, which in turn has led to climatic upheavals around the world. The global economy is so heavily dependant on oil that a major oil crisis could virtually bring the world to a standstill. The world must gradually learn to cope without the 'black gold'.

Minimising our dependence on oil is one of the most obvious ways of achieving this objective. Ironically, high oil prices could lead us in this direction. Instead of driving to the junction to buy groceries, why not walk or cycle ? The authorities will also be able to urge car owners to switch to public transport if the latter is run well. Hybrid ()petrol-electric) cars are getting popular abroad and hydrogen-powered cars being tested on public roads. They could be a common sight as soon as 2010.

Solar panels can provide electricity to more households, to lessen the pressure on thermal generators to some extent. Wind power is another alternative energy source that needs more research and projects to succeed commercially. We should invest in these technologies now to face the future with confidence.

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