The art of war and peace

POLITICS: LTTE, considered as the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world, has been fighting for an "Eelam" in the North and East in the Island since 1980's. Much has been written and debated on this subject and therefore, it is not the intention of the writer to repeat the same arguments for and against the war and/or the ethnic issue.

In fact, the writer has very correctly identified the two problems faced by us in his previous article on this issue, published in the Sunday Island as far back as July 1995.

The writer offered a conceptual framework to work out a comprehensive action plan, so that the authorities concerned can implement the plan efficiently and effectively with a view to finding a lasting solution.

In my previous article I had critically evaluated and justified adopting a "simultaneous two pronged strategy", namely, the continuation of the ongoing military offensive against the terrorists and to re-commence the talks with the LTTE and others to discuss substantive issues in order to find a negotiated political solution.

Successive Governments have tried to find a lasting solution. It appears that in the past, the implementation of the military options and the process of finding a political solution was not properly coordinated.

We could gain much more advantage over our enemy if we build on our strengths based on synergies. Ansoff describes synergy as the "2+2=5" effect. Synergy is more likely to occur if all these strategies are linked in such a way that the entire crisis situation at present, as a whole is managed effectively.

Albert Einstein, the greatest Scientist in the 20th century once said that; "We cannot find solutions to our problems with the same thinking we had when we created the problem".

Similarly, we have to look at this problem with a fresh and open mind. We need to change the pattern of thinking (a Paradigm Shift) and under this scenario, what is impossible in one's paradigm will be very easy with another paradigm.

We cannot any more allow our heart to rule our head and should not be too emotional. We have to be objective in making any assessment about the global realities since we are faced with a crisis situation, having to fight it out with the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world with global connections, not only to drug trafficking and arms dealing/smuggling.

But getting sympathies and the assistance (financial or otherwise) from a few so-called "democratic and human right organizations" all over the world, it is of paramount importance that we get out from our pattern of thinking and really think globally and craft some brilliant strategies.

In order to defeat LTTE terrorism we cannot go by mere tactics only, but we need to follow strategies. Military organizations have multiple strategies - grand, theatre, area, battle, infantry and artillery strategies.

What do you want our country, Sri Lanka, to become? In other words, take control of our country's destiny. The mission conveys the long-term goal or the vision of the country in terms of the current conflict. This is a mere concept. This concept would have to be shared by the people of this country.

If our vision is to create a peaceful and undivided Sri Lanka for our next generations, then we need to communicate our mission/s to the people through an appropriate value system.

There must be clear cut and decisive objectives derived from our agreed mission. We need to address the following vital questions. Are all efforts directed towards clearly understood, decisive and attainable overall goals? Does it set the pace and determine the course of events rather than reacting to them?

In view of the complexities of the problem/s, we could set goals and objectives under different scenarios.

For example, we could have one set of options where one of the objectives is to weaken/marginalize LTTE militarily and force them to come to a negotiating table.

Another option would be to make the International communities and the Tamil speaking people realized that LTTE is not for a negotiated political solution and the need to defeat them militarily to find a just solution. The proposed peace talks could be considered as a part of the overall military strategy or vise versa.

Therefore, those extremist elements who are in favour of the option of "military solution only" need not worry and object to the proposed peace talks as long as the agenda to be drawn up for discussions is not to divide the country and offer Eelam.

"If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know yourself and the enemy, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles".

These are the words of the greatest Chinese philosopher SunTzu, whose classic book, "The art of war" was written more than two thousand five hundred years ago.

As stated above, it is important that the authorities properly communicate, to the people about the agreed mission and the need to adopt the "simultaneous two pronged strategy" to achieve our overall goals. John F Kennedy, The former President of the United States of America had once said that -"the mankind must put an end to the war and if not the war will put an end to the mankind."

We are confident that we could create a peaceful and undivided Sri Lanka in the near future, if we unite and give all the support and encouragement to our leaders to enable them to sit and formulate the best set of strategies to wipe out the LTTE terrorism and end the war.

Sun Tzu who wrote his extraordinary book "The art of war" in China 2500 years ago mentioned so many truths that are still relevant today. Sun Tzu wrote: In peace prepare for war and in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state.

It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.

Jayampathy Molligoda