Pottuvil and the Tiger trail of massacres

MASSACRE: The rage of Pottuvil has died down and the voices of sanity are now being heard there over the strident sounds of those who preferred to fan the flames of anger and unrest for narrow political advantage.

The anger of the Muslims of Pottuvil is well understood in the circumstances, when they have lost ten youth in such a bloody massacre, and persons ever willing to make use of the situation to point the finger at the STF that has provided protection to the same people for many years.

However advantageous it may be to politicians to capitalize on such tragedies, one must note that there is one force, the LTTE, always at the ready to see the back of the STF in those parts. It is well aware that it is the STF that has made large parts of the East comparatively safe, particularly for the Muslims who have been their continued targets in ethnic cleansing.

It is, therefore, not surprising that no sooner the massacre with all the hallmarks of an LTTE attack took place, its propaganda organs began pointing the finger at the STF in the hope that an incensed Muslim public will demand its removal from their midst.

Saner counsel has now prevailed and one learns that religious leaders in the area are meeting to bring about a greater sense of normality and understanding.

In the context of the Muslim anger that has erupted after this tragic incident it is useful, particularly for those who point fingers at the STF, to note that it took place barely a fortnight after the Sri Lankan Security Forces cleared the Muttur and Sampur areas, at considerable sacrifice of life and limb, to enable the Muslims driven out of those areas by the LTTE to return to their homes.

In such a situation, would it be realistic to allege that while one arm of the security forces carries out military operations in defence of the Muslims, another of its arms, namely the STF will be engaged in carrying out a grisly massacre of the same people?

Muslims and the LTTE

The commitment of the government and the Security Forces to protect the rights of the Muslims is unquestioned, especially after Muttur and Sampur. On the day after the unfortunate clashes between violent mobs and the STF at Pottuvil, President Rajapaksa told the UN General Assembly of the situation regarding Muslims vis-à-vis the LTTE's terror.

Referring to the earlier ruthless eviction of Muslims from Jaffna President Rajapaksa said: "in an act of 'ethnic cleansing', more than 60,000 Muslims were forcibly expelled from their homes in the North". He also referred thus to the more recent situation regarding the Muslims of Muttur and Sampur.

"Over 53,000 Muslims were evicted from their homes by the LTTE, following the recent violence. They are the innocent victims of the LTTE's ruthless policies. Following government counter measures, almost all of these have now returned to their homes. The government has assumed responsibility to provide medical supplies, food and other essential items to the Internally Displaced Persons living in the affected areas".

The return of these Muslims to their villages and homes, under the protection of the security forces is not due to the benefits of any flawed Cease Fire Agreement, goodwill of the LTTE, any facilitator, or the negotiating skills of any politician. It was solely due to the Government's resolute action in adequately responding to the LTTE's provocations and the actions of the Security Forces in carrying out that resolve of the Government.

The massacre at Pottuvil will be another notch on the belt of the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, as he counts the notches marking the massacres by his cadres in the progress of terror for the alleged liberation of the Tamil people.

The Muslims, who have been the victims of many such massacres in the past, would do well to take note of the unchanging stripes of the Tiger, in contrast to the Security Forces that have come to their rescue and protection; and not give ear to divisive politicians who find the possibilities opening up in the new political climate in the country not too favourable to them.

Terrorism stands exposed

This was the week when terrorism was exposed in its manifold ways both at Havana and New York. Addressing the Non Aligned Summit at Havana and the UNGA in New York, President Rajapaksa explained to the world the need for a commitment to combat terrorism citing the example of Sri Lanka as a victim of LTTE terror.

At the UN, referring specifically to the LTTE he said: "With regard to terrorism, I speak with personal experience in my own country.

Exploiting minority concerns, which we are addressing politically, a ruthless terrorist outfit in Sri Lanka, the LTTE, has been terrorizing our people for over two decades. In an age when the world seeks dialogue and peace, the LTTE devotes its full force to violence, suicide bombings, the massacre of civilians, indiscriminate armed assaults, and conscription of young children for war."

He further said: "Terrorism has become closely intertwined with organized crime. It is now directly linked with people smuggling, the trade in illicit drugs, the illegal trade in small arms and money laundering. Terrorism is a major impediment to development and poses a terrible challenge to civilized society."

"The illicit trade and trafficking in small arms and light weapons, has contributed to the escalation of many local conflicts, due to the easy availability of arms to non-State actors. Sri Lanka is concerned that despite the commitment of the international community to wipe out this menace, the impact at ground level throughout the world, is limited. We hope that the UN Plan of Action on this matter will be fully implemented, and its scope further expanded in the future."

He added that: "Assurances given to the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on 'Children and Armed Conflict', on the conscription of children for armed combat, have been blatantly violated [by the LTTE]."

Other voices too

Speaking at the Non-Aligned Summit Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, whose country too has suffered under terrorism said: "If NAM is to be relevant in today's circumstances, it cannot afford to equivocate on the subject of terrorism. A message must emanate from us that we are united in our desire to fight and eliminate the scourge of terrorism."

Over here, the new US Ambassador Robert O Blake Jr. earned plaudits from the media for the observation at his first meeting with the media that the LTTE has not given any indication so far that it was ready to give up violence.

Still the committed peacemaker, despite efforts to tarnish him as a hawk and an extremist, President Rajapaksa told the UNGA that: "As one of the oldest democracies in Asia, it is our firm conviction that the restoration of democracy, the creation of space for dissent, and the promotion of human rights in the conflict affected areas, are the essential elements of a successful and sustainable process of Peace.

I hope that the international community will continue to extend to us its fullest support towards the transformation of the LTTE into a democratic civilian organization.

"Our government firmly believes that terrorism cannot be eliminated through military means alone. We remain fully committed to talking with the LTTE either directly or through a facilitator. It is our hope that the LTTE will transform itself from a terrorist outfit to one that is committed to dialogue and democracy. Our government stands ready to respond to any display of goodwill and a move towards a non-violent approach."

The olive branch was there to see, but when will the LTTE realize that grabbing it is the only way out?