The Tiger empire

A Reuters report quoting the August edition of the Janes Intelligence Review states that the LTTE was running an illegal business empire generating revenue of US$ 200 to 300 million a year and this money is put towards guns, planes and attack boats.

The report also paints a picture of a powerful global network of professional managers- both Tamils and others - across a string of countries with operations perhaps from shipping to drugs and extortion.

That the LTTE is currently mobilising all resources at its command will come as no surprise since it has to prepare for the final battle if that indeed is its option following serial battle reversals in the theatre of conflict.

The latest sting operations in the USA which unravelled a whole can of worms pertaining to LTTE funding provided only an inkling to the extent of the LTTE ‘s sophisticated external network.

That the outfit was receiving foreign funds to bolster its war chest was never a secret.

What is of significance however is the extent of its current global reach to augment its armoury. The analyst of the report hints at the possibility of the LTTE acquiring anti-aircraft missiles to counter the relentless pounding of their bases by SLAF jets.

There is no gainsaying that the magnitude of the LTTE global network is going to pose a threat not just to Sri Lanka but to those countries already beleaguered by terrorism. A recent report spoke about a link between the LTTE and the al-Queda.

There are also revelations about Tigers still receiving arms shipments from Cambodia. A disturbing thought lingers of a global “Terrorism Incorporated “ that could spread its tentacles to every nook and corner of the world and cause instability.

It is in this light the Government should intensify its lobbying of Western countries to step up their campaign against the LTTE. The media was recently full of Tiger busting operations in the West.

But if the Jane’s report is anything to go by this has made little impact on the outfit’s fund rasing ability. Now that the LTTE is virtually cornered there is no knowing what tactics it would adopt. And any let up on the LTTE’s activities in the West would only go counter to the avowed desire of the international community to see a speedy resolution of Sri Lanka’s ethnic problem.

It is high time Western powers viewed the present threat looming on the horizon. It cannot carry out the War on Terror campaign in isolation without considering the larger picture. There is no need to emphasise the fact that terrorism is a global phenomenon which needs the combined efforts of all countries to tackle effectively.

The threat should be faced as a collective force if terrorism is to be defeated. No half measures would suffice nor other restrictions based on somewhat impractical human rights considerations. Global terrorism has grown to monstrous proportions and the LTTE is only party of the script.

Hence it is regrettable to note that attitude of certain Western countries to Sri Lanka’s situation where genuine attempts to combat terrorism are being stymied by issues such as human rights.

Many of these countries blatantly violate human rights in the hunt for terrorists even while calling on countries such as Sri Lanka to uphold the same and negotiate with terrorists. Many of these countries have passed laws which directly infringe on human rights as part of the campaign against terror.

Terrorism is terrorism, regardless of where it happens and whether perpetrated by the LTTE or al-Queda. The same methods have to be applied across the board to crush them.

It is time every effort is being made to stop LTTE fund raising with renewed vigour and close checks maintained on LTTE front organisations. If not the West would be seen as only paying lip service to its avowed desire for a peaceful Sri Lanka.