Welcome move by EU

There is bound to be widespread approval over the clamping of a travel ban on the LTTE by the European Union. The long overdue measure, apparently, has its roots in the realisation on the part of the EU that the LTTE is proving highly intransigent on the question of cooperating fully in the task of bringing about a negotiated end to our ethnic conflict.

The travel ban is considered to be a precursor to the listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation within EU states. These crucial developments were apparently triggered by the LTTE-inspired assassination of former Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, which tragedy has been described as "shocking" by the EU.

Coupled with the unabated terror spree of the LTTE are the latters human rights excesses in general and its continued recruitment of child soldiers in particular, all of which have proved points of poignant concern within the global community. Referring to the child abuse practised unconscionably by the LTTE, the EU was quoted saying that there could be "no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice."

Therefore, although coming somewhat late in the day, these punitive measures by the EU against the LTTE need to be welcomed in consideration of the fact that they could compel the LTTE to cooperate in the peace effort, which has won almost universal acceptance.

There is no doubt that the appeals made by no less a person than President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to the world community - particularly at the recent landmark sessions of the UN - would have proved another compelling factor in the EU's decision to take a tough stance on the LTTE. We urge the EU member countries to show no quarter until it cooperates fully with the Lankan State in pushing forward the peace process.

It would be pertinent to point out that besides the travel ban, the Eu should consider banning all EU-based operations, such as LTTE fund-raising, which could seriously hamper the peace effort. Hopefully, the message would thus be driven home to the LTTE that it cannot adopt a Janus-faced policy in regard to our conflict.

Clearly, the LTTE cannot claim that it is willing to explore peaceful options in Sri Lanka and simultaneously adopt the maniacal and barbaric practice of cold-bloodedly eliminating those seen as opposed to it, including Lankan Ministers of State who have served Sri Lanka with distinction. The LTTE cannot also claim to be for peace and wantonly violate the rights of weaker sections in the Tamil community, such as children, and cruelly victimize minority communities in the North-East, such as the Muslims.

While commending the EU for finally getting tough with the Tigers, we consider it incumbent on us to point out that our position on this issue should not be seen as synonymous with that of those chauvinistic elements of Southern Sri Lanka in particular, which are strongly resisting efforts at resolving our conflict by peaceful means.

It would be relevant to note that the EU is in perfect accord with the Tokyo donor conference Co-Chairs who have urged the LTTE to "demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change."

Therefore, while we fully endorse the recent EU measures against the LTTE, our position on the prime issues facing the country should not be confused with those of the jingoists who are today clamouring for a military solution to the ethnic issue.

Rather, we are in agreement with the Co-Chairs who are calling on the LTTE to demonstrate their peaceful intentions, if any.

A moral obligation is cast on the global community to try all the peaceful means at its disposal to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table and this is what some sections of the international community are doing. Such measures which have the backing of the Lankan State should be consistently applied.