Tamils - a Trans State Nation..

"To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
Life's good comes not from others' gift, nor ill
Man's pains and pains' relief are from within.
Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !."
-
Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C 

Home Whats New  Trans State Nation  One World Unfolding Consciousness Comments Search

Home > Struggle for Tamil Eelam > International Frame of  Struggle for Tamil Eelam  > India & the Struggle for Tamil Eelam > The Situation in Sri Lanka - Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Indian Minister for External Affairs, Suo Motu Statement in Parliament, 18 February 2009

India & the Struggle for Tamil Eelam

The Situation in Sri Lanka

Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for External Affairs,
Suo Motu Statement in Parliament on 18 February 2009

[see also V.Thangavelu on  வேதாளம் மீண்டும் முருக்கை மரத்தில் ]



" I rise to apprise this august House about the present situation in Sri Lanka.

Since I last addressed the House on this issue in October 2008, developments have unfolded rapidly in northern Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Government forces have made significant advances into LTTE-held territory, restricting LTTE cadres to a small area of approximately 150 sq. km. adjacent to the coast. Sri Lankan forces have captured Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu town and have regained control of the A-9 highway.

A serious source of concern to us has been the condition of civilians and internally displaced persons, mostly Tamil, caught up in the zone of conflict. Estimates on the number of civilians trapped vary, but 70,000 or so are estimated to be there now. The LTTE were reportedly using them as human shields.

Hon�ble Members may rest assured that our strong concerns for the safety, security and welfare of civilians caught in the conflict have led us to stay actively engaged to prevent a further deterioration of humanitarian conditions.

Comment by tamilnation.org 

 " We have a very comprehensive relationship with Sri Lanka. In our anxiety to protect the civilians, we should not forget the strategic importance of this island to India's interests,... especially in view of attempts by countries like Pakistan and China to gain a strategic foothold in the island nation...Colombo had been told that India would "look after your security requirements, provided you do not look around". "We cannot have a playground of international players in our backyard." Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, 23 October 2008


New Delhi's Tears for Eelam Tamils
Sri Lanka's Genocidal War on Tamil Eelam

We have sent relief supplies to the civilians and the IDPs, facilitated access by international and UN organisations, and suggested ways for civilians and IDPs to escape from the conflict zone. Two batches of relief assistance have been sent so far including 80,000 family packs of food and non-food articles, collected and donated by the Government of Tamil Nadu and medicines. Another batch of relief material is being sent.

I personally visited Colombo on 27th January. In my discussions with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I stressed the need to give an opportunity to civilians and IDPs caught up in the conflict to emerge from LTTE held areas and suggested a pause in hostilities to provide the necessary environment. On 29th January 2009, the Sri Lankan President announced a 48-hour period for civilian safe passage to secure areas. He also appealed to the LTTE to allow civilians to leave and assured the safety and security of the civilians who did so.

In the last two weeks, nearly 35,000 civilians have come out of LTTE-held areas. Sadly some of those escaping from the conflict have been caught in cross-fire and, in recent incidents have been stopped and even killed by LTTE cadres.

Comment by tamilnation.org  

"Having failed to condemn the shelling by Sri Lanka of  self announced safety zones, which killed hundreds of Tamils and gravely injured many thousands more; having failed to prevent Sri Lanka's deliberate targeting of hospitals; having refused to recognise that Sri Lanka's resort to genocide was no accident but is directed to give Tamil civilians a clear message – ‘get away from the LTTE controlled areas or die’ and therefore a war crime;  Mr.Mukherjee says that 'the LTTE were reportedly using them as human shields' and suggests that Tamil civilians are 'trapped in the fighting in the Vanni' when in truth Tamil civilians are not 'trapped in the fighting' or in the crossfire but  are being deliberately targeted and killed by Sri Lanka armed forces."

As the conflict enters what may be the final phase of military operations, the LTTE would best serve the interest of the Tamils by immediately releasing all civilians and laying down arms.

The Government of India is ready to facilitate the evacuation of civilians trapped in the area of conflict, working with the Government of Sri Lanka and the ICRC who would take responsibility for the security, screening and rehabilitation of these internally displaced persons.

Mr. Speaker,

India continues to support a negotiated political settlement in Sri Lanka within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka acceptable to all the communities, including the Tamil community. The LTTE remains a proscribed organisation in India and has done much damage to the Tamil community.

Comment by tamilnation.org

"The LTTE's emergence as the most dominant and effective politico-military force representing Tamil interests was due to the following factors: 

Velupillai PirabaharanFirst, the character and personality of its leader V Pirabaharan who is disciplined, austere and passionately committed to the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils' liberation. Whatever he may be criticised for, it cannot be denied that the man has an inner fire and dedication and he is endowed with natural military abilities, both strategic and tactical. He has also proved that he is a keen observer of the nature of competitive and critical politics. He has proved his abilities in judging political events and his adroitness in responding to them. 

Secondly, he has created a highly disciplined, and dedicated cadres, a manifestation of which is inherent in what is called the 'cyanide cult.' Each regular member of the LTTE carries a cyanide pill and is pledged to committing suicide rather than being captured by the enemy. 

The third factor is the cult and creed of honesty in the disbursement and utilisation of resources. Despite long years spent in struggle, the LTTE cadres were known for their simple living, lack of any tendency to exploit the people and their operational preparedness. 

The fourth factor has been the LTTE's ability to upgrade its political and military capacities including technological inputs despite the constraints imposed on it by Sri Lankan forces and later by India. 

The fifth factor is a totally amoral and deadly violent approach in dealing with those the LTTE considers as enemies. 

The sixth factor is Pirabaharan's success in gathering around him senior advisers with diverse political, administrative and technological capacities, which contributed to effective training of his cadres, optimum utilisation of the military equipment which he had, and the structuring of an efficient command and control system.  (Assignment Colombo, by J N Dixit, Konarak Publishers, 1998)

"As far as I can tell most ordinary Tamils support the Tigers, not necessarily because they like them, but because they like the Sri Lankan - or Indian - armies less. The Tigers are ruthless and authoritarian but they are not corrupt - they don't tolerate stealing, bribery or rape, things other armies are famous for. In fact they are perceived as being single minded in their defence of Tamils. They are so disciplined that when captured, they swallow cyanide capsules that they carry with them at all times, rather than risk revealing anything under torture." (Statement before US Congress Committee on International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific Hearing on Sri Lanka November 14,1995)

"I have a high regard for the LTTE for its discipline, dedication, determination, motivation and technical expertise... I was left with the impression that the LTTE was the expression of popular Tamil sentiment and could not be destroyed, so long as that sentiment remained... Our unit and formation commanders too came under the mental hypnosis of the LTTE. They would graphically explain how well entrenched the LTTE was in the minds of the people, how ungrateful people were to us, how elusive the LTTE was, how perfect it was in the midst of the people and in its actions, how effective was its grip over the public and so on - virtually admitting that it was an impossible task and all our endeavours were pointless. " (Lieutenant General S.C. Sardesh Pande in "Assignment Jaffna", published in 1992)

In this context, the earlier normal democratic political processes begin in Sri Lanka the better. In our view, after 23 years of conflict, there is today a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka. The President of Sri Lanka assured me that this is also his intent. The full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution would be a significant first step. Honourable Members would recall that the 13th Amendment was introduced to give effect to the India-Sri Lanka accord in 1987. Going beyond the 13th Amendment on the question of devolution of powers would be significant.

Comment by tamilnation.org

 "New Delhi's continued reference to the comic opera reforms of the 13th Amendment as a way of resolving the conflict in the island, is simply its own way of getting Sri Lanka back on track to the Indo Sri Lanka Accord and the Exchange of Letters that secured New Delhi's strategic interests in its 'backyard'.  As in 1987, so also today - the comic opera reforms of the 13th Amendment have little to do with satisfying the aspirations of the people of Tamil Eelam for freedom from alien Sinhala rule and everything to do with New Delhi's concern to prevent its 'backyard' becoming 'a playground of international players'."

India is ready to work with the Government of Sri Lanka in their important tasks of rehabilitation and reconstruction which lie ahead in Sri Lanka, particularly the north and east. We have begun steps to implement developmental projects in the Eastern Province such as a 500 MW thermal power project, assistance for a rail bus project and the setting up of IT centres.

Comment by tamilnation.org 

 "...the international community will wait till Tamil resistance is sufficiently weakened or  annihilated before it attempts to intervene 'on humanitarian grounds' and in seeming response to 'world wide Tamil appeals'.  Meanwhile the IC will even welcome such world wide appeals by Tamils as that will pave the way (and establish useful contact points amongst the Tamil diaspora) for IC's eventual intervention with 'development aid' with the mantra of not conflict resolution but 'conflict transformation'. Give them cake when they ask for freedom from alien Sinhala rule. A conquered people should be grateful for whatever they can get - though there may not be not enough cake to go round. The Tamil people are being taught the truth of something which Subhas Chandra Bose said many years ago - Freedom is not given, it is taken... "  Nadesan Satyendra in Sinhala Sri Lanka's  Genocide of Eelam Tamils - a Crime Against Humanity, 29 January 2009


Tamils displaced in the Vanni -  Not Conflict Resolution but Conflict Transformation with  "500 MW thermal power project, assistance for a rail bus project and the setting up of IT centres" ?

I wish to assure the Hon�ble Members that Government will continue to stay engaged in the process of bringing enduring peace to Sri Lanka, working with the Government of Sri Lanka and the various communities in Sri Lanka in pursuit of our common security and prosperity."

 

Mail Us Copyright 1998/2009 All Rights Reserved Home