US Congressman blasts LTTE for instigating violence

[Friday, December 15, 2006 - 8.10 GMT]

The statement says that: "Since the Inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the LTTE has stepped up attacks on unarmed civilians including the use of fragmentation bombs against a bus killing 64 and injuring 80. Additionally they have carried out an assassination attempt against the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, assassinated the Deputy Chief of Staff of
the Army and attacked a convoy of off-duty sailors, killing 94 and injuring many more. In all of these cases, the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers.  

The full text of the statement follows;

In my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit our South Asian ally, Sri Lanka. This small island nation has directly suffered both the devastating effects of the 2004 Tsunami and the continuing threat of homegrown terrorism, which has experienced a recent resurgence.

Many years before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Sri Lanka was confronting the grim specter of suicide terrorism. In fact, many of the suicide tactics utilized by terrorists in the Middle East originated with the Tamils. Because of this and because of their ties with other international terrorist groups, the Tamils pose a threat to Americans around the globe as well.

Despite the fact that a cease-fire remains in effect, over the past year, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have continued to commit acts of violence against the legitimate government of Sri Lanka. The recent spate of violence began in August of last year with the assassination of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar. In a further attempt to damage the democratic process, the LTTE prevented the Tamil population in the Wanni region from voting in the Presidential election last November. Since the Inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the LTTE has stepped up attacks on unarmed civilians including the use of fragmentation bombs against a bus killing 64 and injuring 80. Additionally they have carried out an assassination attempt against the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, assassinated the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army and attacked a convoy of off-duty sailors, killing 94 and injuring many more. In all of these cases, the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers

The LTTE has cultivated a worldwide network of weapons suppliers. Here in the United States, the FBI was able to apprehend Tamil agents who attempted to purchase surface-to-air missiles in New York and Maryland. Tamil agents have been arrested here for attempting to bribe customs agents and funnel illicit funds through charities. While the Tamils continue their attempts to operate in the United States, federal authorities are vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who are recruiting support for terrorism in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government gives every indication that it is committed to a peaceful settlement to this conflict within their nation’s borders. Even after an attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Rajapaksa, the President’s brother, the government refuses to institute an outright ban on the Tamil Tigers. Norwegian peace negotiators, who had presided over the current cease-fire agreements, continue their efforts to bring the LTTE to the peace table but, unfortunately, Tiger leader Prabhakaran has called for a full resumption of hostilities. The government is ready to accept the Tigers as a peaceful political party but not as a purveyor of violence.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful nation filled with hopeful people who wish to live in peace, and I am hopeful that they will soon see a resolution to these dangerous difficulties.

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Last Updated Date: December 15, 2006 -8.10 GMT