President assures a political solution under one flag in a united country and power sharing with Tamils

Interview: In an interview with Tamil Osai, BBC Tamil Services, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said there will be a political solution under one flag in a united country with sharing of powers with the Tamils of Sri Lanka. Mahinda Rajapaksa: The undertaking must be given by Prabhakaran. He must have to say that they are ready for the talks with the Government.

This statement was made by him when he stopped over in London on his way back home from the NAM meeting in Havana and later from the 61st UN General Assembly meeting in New York. President also emphasized that there are no separate boundaries that can change hands, he said.

While announcing that Government of Sri Lanka is ready to talk with the Tamil rebel outfit - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, President said before that its leader V. Prabhakaran must give a clear undertaking that LTTE is ready to come forward for talks.

Excerpts of the interview with the President by Tamil Osai is below:

Q: It has been informed by Norway that talks will be held with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Is there any condition to be laid on your side regarding your participation in the talks?

A: There are no such things as pre-conditions, but we need an assurance. Last time when we went for talks in Oslo, Tamilselvan and all others said that they were ready for talks and when I sent my delegation there for talks, they have said, "No .. no .. we are not ready to speak with the Sri Lanka delegation."

A similar situation should not arise one more time in the future. Liberation Tigers must come forward to give a clear undertaking. That has to come only from the LTTE Leader V. Prabhakaran. The undertaking must be given by Prabhakaran. He must have to say that they are ready for the talks with the Government.

Q: According to the Ceasefire Agreement in force, both sides have to remain within their stipulated boundaries. At present you are going to talk on a different field situation. Therefore are you intending to talk about any new ceasefire agreement?

A: Boundaries? There are no such separate boundaries within Sri Lanka. There is only one boundary for the whole of Sri Lanka. Regarding talks I am not aware what they intend to talk. But first these killings and the loss of lives and all other things must be stopped and after that, I think we can talk about other matters. Because, I intend to provide a political resolution.

In this connection I have already constituted an All Party Committee regarding this issue. To help those in the Committee I have also appointed experts. Therefore that Committee may put forward some proposals and resolutions. After that we will send them to the Liberation Tigers as well as to the people.

Q: It is OK... What type of political solution you intend putting forward? Is it possible for you to elaborate a little on this subject?

A: Whatever the proposals, it has to be within a united country. We cannot divide the country. The solution must have to be under one flag and one country. At the same time power has to be devolved.

We have already said about this. We are also ready to share power. On this basis we have provided basic concepts to them.

Therefore, all the political parties have to come up with a proposal or a resolution in this regard. With regard to me, I am not willing to give my own personal proposals or resolution. Therefore let this Committee come up with its proposals and resolutions. My party is also represented in that Committee.

Q: As you have the support of those advocating extremist policies with you, it is being viewed by a section of the Tamils that there would be pressure forthcoming from these extremist political parties in the policies of your government. What is your response to the fear expressed by a section of the Tamils regarding this?

A: Those who come up with such talks must bear in mind one thing very clearly. When those political parties insisted that Norway has to be thrown out of the facilitating activities, I haven't done anything like that.

Either my Government or my Party is neither affected by other political parties nor afflicted by their influence. Only the people can create the necessary effect on us.

We have our policies. We will implement them. However these political parties have never told that it was not good to hold talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. So far they haven't compelled us like this.

Q: Violence is on the increase in the North and East where Tamils predominantly live. According to human right activists, that killings and abductions are rampant especially in Jaffna. Even in the East INGO workers involved in relief works too have been killed. What is your opinion regarding this state of affairs?

A: These are all the propaganda undertaken by the Tamil Tigers. This is of course their propaganda. Don't believe their propaganda. You yourself, go directly there and see for yourself. Find out the true state of affairs from the people directly. So far we have brought out about five thousand civilians.

Even today nearly one thousand have returned to Trincomalee. If they are interested in coming towards the South, we will bring them. Why can't you go over there and meet the people. Find out from them what actually happened over there? We haven't committed any excesses. I have confidence in the people's rights, people's basic human rights. Therefore I will never allow any basic rights of the people being flouted by the Armed Forces.

Q: You have expressed opinions that you will appoint a Commission to investigate the killings of the relief workers in Muthur. Will that be on and above the forensic investigation that is being at present carried out by the Australian forensic experts.

A: That was an arrangement especially for Muthur. That is why we have invited them. They will assist us in the investigation of the matters connected with the relief workers of the INGO organisation.

Regarding the other issues we have appointed a special investigative commission. We have invited persons belonging to international communities to be observers of the activities of this special investigative Commission. We have even invited one person from India for the same.

(Asian Tribune)