“The U.S has designated the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organization since 1997 and that designation remains in effect because of their consistent use of methods that both deliberately and indirectly target civilians. Under that designation, we’ve restricted their funding operations, their travel, and their organization activities through various laws and seizure of assets. A recent five-year review was conducted a few months ago in March 2009, and the decision was taken to continue listing them as a terrorist entity with all the restrictions on their activities,” said Senior U.S. State Department official Gregg Sullivan in a live web chat June 23

“We have long condemned their use of terrorist tactics, including assassination, kidnappings, suicide bombings, and intimidation of the local population. Nor, do we recognize the Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam. We do not take issue with the Sri Lankan Government’s view of the LTTE as a terrorist entity or their efforts to counter their terrorist activity. “

Answering a question on the US attitude towards Sri Lanka seeking an IMF loan facility, Sullivan said: “We are not threatening to block the loan and we will carefully assess any program in light of the conditions in Sri Lanka at the time.

“As we said in late May, we’re taking a fresh look at the Stand-by Arrangement, and believe the end of the conflict presents a new opportunity to seek reconciliation and build a tolerant and democratic Sri Lanka. We are not threatening to block the loan and we will carefully assess any program in light of the conditions in Sri Lanka at the time. The Department of Treasury is in the lead for the U.S. Government on IMF issues and we will coordinate closely with them as the Sri Lankan Government-IMF negotiations proceed.”

The following are excerpts relevant to the present situation in Sri Lanka from the web chat that covered issues in the Maldives, too, and had callers from several countries.

What should the LTTE do to be recognized now that the war is over and now that they say they are willing to enter democracy?

Gregg Sullivan: “Well, we have welcomed the reports that the LTTE has renounced violence and will now pursue its objectives through peaceful means. That's a positive step, but there's quite a ways to go before the LTTE can be considered a reliable entity. Towards the end of the conflict, their efforts to keep civilians in the war zone; block their departure from war-ravaged areas and their firing from civilian areas put civilians at risk. They're going to have to demonstrate clearly that the tactics they've used for the last 30 years really are in the past. Aside from the passage of time and a clear record of constructive engagement, I'm not sure I have any other advice for how the LTTE shows a different face to the world.

Do you think this war in Sri Lanka has lessons for other places?

Gregg Sullivan: “Thanks for the thoughtful question. I think the real lessons can be in how the Sri Lankan Government goes forward now that the conflict is over. This is a real opportunity to get Sri Lanka back to its status in the 1980s as one of the ''Asian Tigers'' with vigorous economic growth. If the Sri Lankan Government moves forward with policies that embrace the civilian Tamil community, bring the Tamils into the reconstruction process, empower responsible Tamil leaders through implementation of the 13th Amendment, and foster a new political and economic integration of the Sinhala and minority communities, it can be an example for all other countries that have suffered ethnic conflict. We want to help that process and hope it can get moving in the direction soon.

What are the biggest obstacles to a lasting peace in Sri Lanka?

Sullivan: -“T his seems a good answer to wrap up with. The biggest obstacle is the ability of Sinhala and Tamils to find a way to work together towards producing a stable, unified, prosperous, and democratic Sri Lanka. There have been many abuses committed on both sides and it will take extraordinary leadership to move past the feelings of hatred to forge something better. But, there is an opportunity to do that with the end of armed conflict. The Tamil community needs to illustrate that the terrorist methods of the LTTE will not define its role towards the Sinhala community. Responsible Tamil leaders need to come forward to engage with the Sri Lankan Government constructively. On the Sri Lankan Government side, they need to create the conditions that allow responsible Tamil leadership to emerge, give them real power and opportunity to represent the Tamil interests and prevent a return to violence and extremism. It sounds simple, but clearly it's not. But we and others in the international community will be here with assistance and support and a keen focus on achieving that unified, democratic Sri Lanka.”