Indian help vital to resolve ethnic issue

Minister Chandrasekaran tells The Hindu:

Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication Minister P. Chandrasekaran said it was time for India to reconsider its position on the Sri Lankan ethnic issue.

Instead of remaining a mere observer, it should involve itself in the matter, Chandrasekaran told The Hindu.

Referring to the Sri Lankan Government's declaration on January 2 that it would regard as invalid the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Chandrasekaran, also the leader of the Up Country People's Front, said India, like many other nations, was for a political solution, not a military solution.

"Then, why should not India evince interest?" he asked.

He said when Pakistan and China were keen on cooperation with Sri Lanka on the economic and military fronts, there was no need for India to keep away.

The Minister said India being the nearest neighbour had both the resources and the right to intervene.

It was for this purpose that in the last few days, he met different leaders of Tamil Nadu including S. Ramadoss of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, K. Veeramani of the Dravidar Kazhagam, R. Sarathkumar of the All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi and Thol. Thirumavalavan of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal.

He wanted the leaders to impress upon the Centre to change its approach. He also sought audience with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Jayalalithaa. A couple of months ago, Chandrasekaran held talks with LTTE representatives and told them that India would keep away if the LTTE insisted on Tamil Eelam.

Besides, the LTTE should make an open and unqualified apology for the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, he said.