LTTE LOBBY SWAMPS GENEVA

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

* Three factions lobbying ahead of the UNHCR sessions

* Those who advocated killing now champions of Human Rights

All three pro - LTTE factions have started lobbying ahead of the UNHCR sessions in Geneva in March, international terrorism expert Prof Dr Rohan Gunaratna told the Daily News yesterday.

Prof Dr Gunaratna said the three factions are the Tamil Eelam People’s Assembly led by Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyawan in Norway, the Global Tamil Forum led by Father S J Emmanuel in London and the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam led by V Rudrakumaran in New York.

Prof Dr Gunaratna said although they participated, supported and advocated killing of civilians, overnight, these individuals have emerged as the champions of Human Rights.

Citing an example he said trained LTTE cadre Nediyawan, who succeeded Prabhakaran, is leading the charge.

Operating through the Tamil Coordinating Committee Switzerland, Nediywan has instructed supporters to gather before the United Nations Office in Geneva on March 4 between 2 pm and 5.30 pm. Since the Swiss do not regard the LTTE as a terrorist group, he instructed them to fly the LTTE flag. Some LTTE cadres and propagandists like Father Emmanuel are likely to visit primarily to thank the NGOs, especially Human Rights NGOs, either LTTE fronts or funded by the LTTE for their participation and hard work, Prof Dr. Gunaratna said.