Tiger terror tactics and peace options

We hope the public demonstrations recently in the Wanni against LTTE atrocities would have their desired effect. That is, alert the LTTE to the increasing public displeasure its repeated violations of the Ceasefire Agreement are earning and compel it to fall in line with the CFA provisions.

The Wanni demonstrations were triggered by the abduction of a senior PLOTE member by the LTTE which seems to be stopping at nothing in its bloody efforts at suppressing and stifling independent opinion in areas under its diktat. This latest brutal act by the LTTE and the numberless Tiger-inspired attacks which preceded it should convince all concerned with peace in this country that LTTE intransigence is indeed one of the most formidable obstacles to working out a negotiated settlement to our conflict.

However, a redeeming feature in this bleak scenario is the open expression of public displeasure at the continuing Tiger intransigence and anti-peace conduct. We hope liberal opinion world wide would see for itself the stiflingly repressive nature of the LTTE and alert itself to the urgent need of taking up the cause of the ordinary Tamil people in global fora which prove decisive in moulding world opinion against the LTTE.

For, far too long some liberal democracies of particularly the West have been turning an indulgent eye on the LTTE presence on their soil while going through the motions of endorsing and ratifying global anti-terror conventions.

By saying this we do not intend to imply that all that is said on our conflict by some Lankan expatriate groups abroad is correct and defensible. However, recent incidents of LTTE fostered violence in North-East Sri Lanka seem to lend credence to the view that the LTTE is not falling in line with its ceasefire obligations.

More so why talks need to be held between the Government and the LTTE to review the Ceasefire Accord and give it more teeth so as to render it invulnerable against attempted violations. Therefore the State cannot do better than to engage the LTTE in talks aimed at strengthening the ceasefire and proceeding from that point towards a comprehensive negotiated settlement of the conflict.

This position of the State, however, should not be taken as a sign of weakness by the LTTE. The Tigers would be blundering tragically if they do so. For, the State has arrived at the policy position that only a negotiated political solution would open the door to an honourable peace.

Accordingly, the Government would be acting within this policy framework on all issues relating to the peace process and should not be seen as succumbing to LTTE terror tactics. It is simply that the State is sticking by it proclaimed principles on peace. However, it would by no means be standing idly by and allowing the national interest to be undermined by the LTTE.

That said, there is no denying that the LTTE must be engaged by the State and the peace process swiftly resumed and taken to its logical conclusion.

Therefore, we call on the LTTE to think long and deep on the options before it. A double-faced policy on peace by the LTTE would not weaken the Government but work against the interests of the Tamil people. For, conflict and violence by the Tigers would only retard our march towards a just peace.