The Tamil Tigers have assassinated many many Tamils including those in and out of government and the opposition parties, and we had very credible evidence from many of the people we met in camps to say that they were threatened and shot at by their own side and were told that if they tried to leave the conflict zone their lives would be at risk. And in those circumstances, I think there is a clear indication that this is a divided community, and that unless you can end terrorism you can not actually build a united Sri Lanka, said Mr. Malcolm Bruce, UK House of Commons, in an interview with BBC Channel 4, May 11.

Here are the relevant extracts from the interview.

From the area held by the terrorists one hundred and thirty five thousand (135,000) people escaped and of course they had to provide camps at very short notice. In that sense they have done an extremely good job. But, they are under intense pressure. And our concern was that they were not allowing the international agencies, the UN, in fast enough to support the government in what they are doing and to meet the needs of the people both in terms of food, shelter, water and sanitation. Although it has to be said they are trying extremely hard, and I was quite impressed with what they are doing.

Q: But there are lots of people caught in the fighting, aren’t they?

A: Well, there are an unknown number of people, figures between ten and hundred thousands (10,000 - 100,000) trapped inside the conflict zone, and of course there is a concern that if the government were to finish off the terrorists they would at the same time be finishing off their own civilians. And I think at the moment it appears that there is an attempt to try and find a solution that will end the war without causing great collateral damage to the civilians. But, we did find quite a lot of the people who we spoke to freely told us that they were unable to leave the conflict zone before they were given the assistance by the Sri Lankan Army, because they were threatened with shooting by their own side. Many of them with children were not prepared to take that risk.

Q: Do you think there is a search on for some kind of resolution which will avoid further difficulties for the civilians caught in the conflict zone, because until now the Sri Lankans have seemed pretty deter not really blame them. I think the point is that obviously there is a determination to try and end these thirty years of conflict and to deal with the terrorists forever. But I think partly because of pressure from the International Community, but also the recognition that these are Sri Lankan citizens, they want to find a way that does not kill more, and indeed many have already died. That of course creates huge frustration for the military because they want to take out the terrorists, but they can not do it without these hostages getting in between. And at the moment it is a deadlock.

You insist on using the word ‘terrorists’ which is a very loaded one. We are talking about the Tamil Tiger rebels, aren’t you?

A: Well, I have to say these Tamil Tigers have assassinated many many Tamils including those in and out of government and the opposition parties, and we had very credible evidence from many of the people we met in camps to say that they were threatened and shot at by their own side and were told that if they tried to leave the conflict zone their lives would be at risk. And in those circumstances, I think there is a clear indication that this is a divided community, and that unless you can end terrorism you can not actually build a united Sri Lanka.