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EUROPEAN UNION & THE TAMIL STRUGGLE
Statement by the Australasian Federation of
Tamil Associations
on the
European Union Declaration
[also in PDF]
7 October 2005
"...the EU�s action has only served to destroy
the LTTE�s status as an equal. And not being an equal the LTTE�s
is constrained in its capacity to negotiate. Nelson Mandela�s
observation that �Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot
enter into contracts� accurately reflects the LTTE�s
predicament..."
The Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations is
deeply disappointed that delegations from the LTTE will no longer be
received in any of the EU Member States. This decision by the EU has
gravely endangered the Peace Process so much desired by the Tamil
people in the Island of Sri Lanka and those of the diaspora.
The EU�s decision to ban the LTTE from visiting the EU States has
placed the Tamils at a distinct disadvantage in countering sustained
attempts by influential sections of the Sinhala polity to misinform
and misrepresent the events in respect of the peace process.
It is particularly disappointing that this travel embargo should be
imposed at a time when Sinhala supremacy is on the rise �this time
under the banner of the JVP and the Jathika Hele Urumya (JHU). The
EU ban has strengthened the hand of those opposed to sharing
political power with the Tamils by implying that the International
Community has little concern for Tamil rights or lives.
As a
Co Chair to the Peace Process, the EU�s conduct in restricting the
LTTE from visiting EU countries has further undermined the LTTE�s
capacity to negotiate with the Sri Lankan regime as an equal.
Enduring solutions can only be forged where both parties perceive
themselves to be equals. It was the realisation that there was
parity in terms of military capabilities that led to a Cease-Fire
Agreement (CFA) between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the
LTTE. In order for the truce that resulted from the CFA to be
transformed into an enduring peace, it is vital that the parties to
the conflict are treated as equals by the facilitator. Instead, the
EU�s action has only served to destroy the LTTE�s status as an
equal. And not being an equal the LTTE�s is constrained in its
capacity to negotiate. Nelson Mandela�s observation that �Only free
men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts� accurately
reflects the LTTE�s predicament.
Whilst we understand EU�s
condemnation of the murder of Sri Lanka�s Foreign Minister, the
implication that this was carried out by the LTTE is simply based on
claims made by the GoSL. It has ignored the LTTE's denial of any
role in this act. Furthermore, the EU, by failing to make any
reference to the murder of well respected Tamil journalists,
academics and senior LTTE members has given the impression that it
has abandoned its neutrality.
The obvious glee with which the
Sinhala media responded to the travel ban is a clear indicator that
the Sinhala polity regards the EU as not being opposed to a military
solution anymore and the GoSL is free to pursue its own agenda.
Influential sections of the Sinhala owned media have referred to the
EU Declaration as a �slap in the face� to Norway and an �ultimatum�
to the LTTE-led Tamil National Movement. What is worse, they see the
Declaration as virtual support for the Sri Lankan government�s
non-implementation of key provisions of the February 2002 Cease Fire
Agreement.
The press release by the British High Commission on behalf of
European Union in its capacity as the Chair of the EU on 4, October
stating that this interpretation by the Sri Lankan media is 'false
and highly misleading, .is bound to be ignored by the Sinhala
people.
We call upon the EU to review its declaration and
take steps to restore parity between the parties.
Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations
7th October 2005
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