Time for compelling action

Given the LTTE's notoriety for reneging on promises and agreements, one is compelled to agree with the widespread assessment that the Tigers would be continually seeking ways and means of evading their responsibilities.

Therefore, if the Tigers are found to be fighting shy of sitting at the negotiating table, this should not come as a complete surprise.

However, as the Government is committed to resolving this conflict by peaceful means as quickly as possible, the LTTE's trademark inconsistent behaviour could constitute a thorny problem, demanding early eradication.

As mentioned by us yesterday, the Government is going the extra mile to facilitate the peace effort. It has even agreed to a plan to have the Eastern Tiger leaders transported to Kilinochchi for a meeting with LTTE top rankers through the deployment of a private helicopter. This is ample proof of the State's eagerness to go steadily ahead with the negotiatory process in Geneva.

Meanwhile, the LTTE has taken to its habitual course of directing allegations and barbs at the Government. The public have no choice but to believe that the Tigers are not at all enthusiastic about getting into the dialogue process.

Through such seeming eccentricities the Tigers are not only trying the patience of the State but also that of those sections of the international community which are keen on reviving and sustaining the peace effort. Such conduct should be seen as revealing the duplicity and double-faced behaviour of the LTTE.

Since the State is doing its utmost to relaunch the peace effort, it is now incumbent on the international community to compel the Tigers to cooperate with the State.

Thus far, concern on these issues on the part of the world community has been confined to words and statements.

It is plain to see that this just would not do. Through their continued recalcitrance the Tigers are holding up such pronouncements to derision. Their behaviour could be said to be making a mockery of international opinion. Clearly, the current approach of our foreign friends to the LTTE is highly inadequate. Norway and the SLMM are doing their utmost to compel the LTTE to cooperate but such efforts are yet to have a transformative impact on the Tigers.

May be the world community should put-up an united effort on this problem and use substantive, compelling measures and sanctions to get the Tigers to sit at the negotiating table and talk in earnest. We are afraid a tougher approach should be adopted towards the Tigers, who seem to be totally unconcerned about world opinion.

If the current situation does not open the eyes of the international community, we wonder what would. It should realise that time is fast running out and that the Tigers are presuming that they would be treated indulgently. It is time to act fast, forcefully and concertedly.