LTTE media blitz failed to stick a genocide label on Armed Forces
Parallel Perspectives - Phllip Fernando:
Finally,
as A9 opened new vistas of opportunity, the final chapter in
the long war against terror came to be written with gusto.
A9 facilitated more and more food convoys into the north. |
It must be recorded that LTTE’s deceptive media blitz which tried its
utmost to stick a genocide label on Sri Lanka failed miserably as the
disciplined Sri Lankan armed forces stood firm in their commitment to
civilian safety. No genocide ever took place as international observers
took stock of the situation in Vanni.
All this provided a strange backdrop to what may be termed UN’s
reluctance to brand LTTE as ruthless terrorists as done by the United
States FBI last year.
It is strange and inexplicable how U N insiders felt it necessary to
tarnish the sovereign state of Sri Lanka with the same brush as the
terrorist bandits. Their hesitancy to recognize the heroic fight of our
soldiers who waged a war, considered unwinnable by many an expert was a
travesty of the UN mandate.
Valiant fight
That valiant fight against LTTE terror received scant respect during
the final and crucial stages of the war as LTTE held thousands civilians
hostage. UN almost succumbed to the disinformation campaigned levelled
against Sri Lanka disregarding the facts on the ground.
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Army
patrolling the previously Tiger-controlled areas. |
It was obvious that the LTTE with its shrunken territorial hold were
hoping for a miraculous lifeline to rescue them even at this belated
hour. Unlike the fast dwindling numbers of their cadres the UN seemed
oblivious to what was needed.
As a member state of the august body since the mid fifties, Sri Lanka
expected most favoured nation treatment or at least a fair assessment of
her terror-fighting record from the UN observers. It is a shame that
during Sri Lankan’s hour of need United Nations almost let them down as
her laudable effort to work out a safety no fire zone went unnoticed for
too long.
UN dilly dallied and never castigated the LTTE for their multiplicity
of atrocities against innocent civilians.
The so called genocide cry of the terror-driven LTTE moguls and their
hired guns failed to attract any support even when pro-LTTE websites and
ad hoc news tubs were broadcasting away their misinformation campaign
with a vengeance.
The false depictions of gruesome and heart-breaking photos of dead
Tiger siblings and youngsters, purported to be those of the civilians
and children in the Sri Lanka’s genuine attempt to protect the civilians
through a No Fire Zone was turned into a vicious propaganda vehicle by
the terrorists.
The question is being asked among international observers now whether
United Nations was bluffed by the LTTE proxies and demonstrations in
foreign capitals by mercenaries masquerading as supporters urging
everyone to rise up and collectively condemn the Sri Lanka government.
It sure did look like a mass hysteria by the LTTE mouth pieces
inciting respective foreign governmental authorities and the general
public to resort to cries of genocide against a government that was
doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties.
Sri Lanka had handled with great dexterity the tsunami tragedy when a
million refugees were on their soil. The Vanni situation was well within
their capacity and it was executed with admirable speed and
accomplishment.
International observers
International observers are now aware of the mythical stories of
dying refugees not served even with a single aspirin. The trapped
civilians were captives of the LTTE and not the armed forces.
Blocked food supplies were the acts of treachery by the LTTE with the
intent of stalling the advancing troops coming at them to finish off a
terrorist war. The LTTE Diaspora mocked the international community with
impunity with their harangue and tales of woe.
Thanks to the effort of the government embassies and thousands of Sri
Lankan activists the well-concerted the LTTE misinformation campaign and
disguised cries on behalf of the civilians failed to halt the emerging
truth that Sri Lanka was protecting the civilians as no one else could.
Finally, as A9 opened new vistas of opportunity, the final chapter in
the long war against terror came to be written with gusto.
A9 facilitated more and more food convoys into the north. ICRC
officials are able to take adequate stocks on chartered vessels and
unloaded essentials, needed for civilians. Even now the Tigers are still
stealing some part of those food supplies to feed their cadres-thanks to
a benevolent government.
International observers are now convinced that the final nail in the
coffin of the long-entrenched Tigers is hammered down.
The so-called civilians in danger were now seeking safety in the
government controlled areas in thousands.
Tiger desertions are growing as we write. The mythical civilian
atrocities by the Government of Sri Lanka were a hoax that ultimately
turned the opinion in the international quarters against the Tigers.
Many observers now believe that the civilian factor within a span of
several weeks unexpectedly turned disastrous and challenging for
retreating Tigers as civilians began to escape, en masse into cleared
areas at the risk of their own precious lives.
It was reported that their influx into cleared areas exceeded the
50,000 figure. The harrowing tales of horror perpetrated by the Tigers
on fleeing civilians would make human rights watch dogs tremble. It is a
noticeable change for those used to accusing the government of wrong
doing.
Fake cries
The fake cries of civilian danger cooked up only for the purpose of
gaining breathing space by besieged LTTE cadres failed as the civilians,
caught up in Puthukudiyirippu area also turned to government for help.
The humanitarian crisis anticipated and announced with delirious
acumen by some human rights watchers turned into a fiasco.
We have to live without those screaming warnings of genocide and
starving civilians from now on. The NGOs also have departed amid all the
LTTE soothsayer predictions of doom that never materialized. UN
observers will live to tell tales of impending gloom that seemed to have
disappeared so sooner they were predicted. |