Peace
in Sri Lanka everybodys cup of tea
[March
17, 2003 - 9.40 GMT]
After
twenty years of bloodshed, a war weary Sri Lanka is grappling with a Peace
Process and an uneasy calm. While the ordinary people of this isle are
hoping for a permanent peace, Mythologists, Analysts, Politicians, Armchair
critics and Opinion writers both local and foreign are having a field day.
We reproduce here one such example, the views of a pontificating neighbour
and the response of a concerned Islander.
Sugar-coated Sri Lanka peace
(Reproduced
from the Japan Times of March 16, 2003)
In
his March 5 article, "Sri
Lankan president must grasp the olive branch," B. Gautam writes
that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, have dropped their call
for independence. This is inaccurate. The call for a separate state has not
been categorically abandoned. In a recent address to expatriates in Düsseldorf,
Germany, LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham
said,
"The present peace talks are a diplomatic move to obtain international
legitimacy and to achieve our goal." Gautam's article also said that
Washington labeled the LTTE a terrorist organization after Sept. 11, 2001.
This is wrong too; the U.S. government placed the LTTE on the list of
terrorist organizations in October 1997.
Every
Sri Lankan would like to believe that the LTTE is not rearming during the
current ceasefire. But LTTE cadres have been caught in the act of
transporting weapons by sea several times during the past year. The Sri
Lankan Navy has had to intervene. The LTTE has caused great embarrassment to
peace-loving people in this country, particularly the Norwegian
facilitators, because of the number of weapons-smuggling operations.
Furthermore, the LTTE's recruitment of children continues unabated.
Norwegian monitors, civilian groups and the Catholic bishop of Trincomalee
have complained bitterly of abductions and the ordeal parents have had to
endure.
Sri
Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga agrees that Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremasinghes effort to bring about a negotiated peace is good and
should be pursued relentlessly. But any resolution must respect the rights
of all citizens.
Concerned
Islander
Colombo
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Last Updated
Date: March 17, 2003 - 9.40
GMT. |
