Security of Muslims is LTTE's moral responsibility - Hakeem tells EU

SRI LANKA Muslim Congress (SLMC) national leader Rauff Hakeem MP told the media that at his meeting with European Union representatives last Wednesday at his Colombo residence, he clearly explained the Muslim community's security problems in relation to the peace process.

He also told them that he believed there were security threats on the lives of Muslim political leaders which was insinuated in a LTTE statement made to the media at Kokkadichcholai, the SLMC press release stated.

The EU delegation comprising three top level diplomats was led by Julian Wilson while the SLMC delegation led by Hakeem comprised party Secretary General M. T. Hasan Ali, Parliamentarian S. Najamudeen and advisor on international affairs A. M. Faiz.

At the media briefing after the meeting, Hakeem said: "In the context of the fact that a major security threat is being faced by the people, especially the Muslim community, the responsibility falls squarely on the Government.

Irrespective of the veracity of the reports, the external impacts of such reports have to be taken into consideration.

This is not a question of blaming one another but instead it is a crucial situation.

It is the moral responsibility of the LTTE who make such statements to prove through their deeds that they are doing everything possible for the security of the Muslims. In this regard, there is a need for them to talk with the Muslim leaders.

It also becomes necessary to reactivate certain infrastructures with regard to the peace process prior to the resumption of the peace process. It is the responsibility of the Government to take into serious consideration the criticism that has been levelled against activities of certain armed groups.

We appeal to the Government to assume the entire responsibility for the security of the people and their democratic leaders irrespective of what its military agenda may be.

While the LTTE has rejected re-negotiating the Ceasefire Agreement and insists on the continued implementation of it after allaying obstructions the JVP and the JHU are insisting on the pull out of Norway from its facilitation role as also the restructuring of the SLMM.

The EU and other countries which are co-chairs to the peace process should focus attention on the fact that there are crucial matters to be discussed prior to the resumption of the peace talks and also there is the danger of war breaking out.

The question of Muslims' security should be given priority at the meeting of the co-chairs to be held in February. The functions of the SLMM need to be re-structured after identifying its shortcomings and its difficulties in monitoring the Ceasefire.

A re-structuring committee for this purpose should be appointed jointly by the Nordic countries.

The suggestions which the SLMC put forward in this regard should be taken into consideration at the February 18 co-chair meeting.

The SLMC supports the prevailing opinion that instead of playing two difficult simultaneous roles as Ceasefire monitors and as peace facilitators, Norway should give up one and take up only one role to focus wholly on that.