Sensible approach to conflict
ARMY Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka has put forward what
may be considered a highly commonsensical approach to containing Sri
Lanka's conflict, during his recent discussions with top US government
officials in Washington.
In sum, the Lankan Army Chief's position is that Sri Lanka should
forge ahead towards evolving a political solution but the military
capability of the LTTE, meanwhile, needs to be crippled.
There is likely to be ready agreement on the point made by the Army
Commander that the LTTE's military capability should not be allowed to
grow to such proportions that the terror group's leadership begins to
believe that a negotiated settlement is unnecessary.
In other words, the LTTE leadership must be made to experience the
terrible costs involved in stubbornly pursuing the military option. If
this is not done the chances are that the LTTE would continue to battle
the Lankan State ruthlessly.
The Lankan Army Commander's reference to the ways in which the LTTE
has relentlessly bolstered its fighting capability since the signing of
CFA, only adds substance to his position.
The Lankan Army Chief's position on the LTTE, accords perfectly with
the accepted approach to ending conflicts of this kind. When faced with
conflicts of this nature, States usually follow what may be called a
dual approach to resolving them.
On the one hand they initiate a political strategy aimed at
redressing the legitimate grievances of the disaffected, rebellious
party.
On the other, the State also adopts a military strategy in
recognition of the fact that the insurrectionist group's military
capability must be blunted severely if the latter is to cooperate in
bringing a political solution.
Accordingly, there is nothing controversial in the Lankan Army
Commander's position on the LTTE. This is a highly sensible way of going
about creating the necessary conditions for resolving our conflict.
Even if the Army Chief's views are considered controversial, they are
perfectly acceptable because the LTTE has terrifyingly defied all
attempts at putting a rational construct on its conduct.
The recent botched attempt on the life of Defence Secretary Gotabaya
Rajapaksa is the latest evidence that the LTTE is not sparing a thought
for a political solution.
It is ruthlessly committed to achieving its elusive ends through the
perpetration of increasing bloodshed and violence. This commitment and
determination is in turn fired by the LTTE's faith in its seeming
military capability.
If its military capability is diminished as a result of the Security
Forces constantly engaging it, the Tigers would be compelled to give a
political solution a serious try. Until then, the LTTE is likely to
remain the blood-thirsty outfit it is.
Therefore, a strong case could be made for the Security Forces'
current limited military operations which are aimed at protecting the
national interest and stripping the LTTE of its military capability. The
military option is indeed a very costly proposition and the LTTE should
see that this is so.
However, it is important to realise that the State remains committed
to the wellbeing of all its citizenry. It would continue to zealously
pursue the legitimate interests of all our communities. |