Balakumaran: The real
objective of the attacks in the West, Silaavaththurai,
the East in Manalaaru and in the north Mukamaalai, are
to get inside the Tiger den of Vanni, and attack the
heart of the Liberation Tigers. Sri Lanka's military
plan is not different to previous attempt to capture
the A9 in 1999, 70 miles of which goes through
Vanni.
In my view, currently Sri lanka is
trying to enter through A-32 to Pooneryn or use A-34 to
advance through Oddisuddaan; One of these highways will
result in being renamed as highway of death. As a
precursor to the anticipated battle, the SLA is trying
to chip away the strength of the LTTE, as well probing
the LTTE strength through small scale skirmishes at the
periphery. We understand their tactics, we haven't
underestimated their strength either.
We are cognizant of the enormity of
the possible disaster that can unfold, and bloodbath
waiting to happen. Tamil people have no other option,
except to face these possibilites. Once the fire of
freedom is lit, there is no turning back; sacrifices
are part of this decision, and our people fully
understand this. We are confident of our strength to
achieve our goals.
Balakumaran: We have to have
a clear view of what diplomacy means. Whether Sri Lanka
allows diplomats to visit, or when Sri Lanka stops
diplomats visiting Vanni, they are trying to achieve
the same objective. That is to find ways to advance the
self-interests of Sri Lanka and the host countries of the visiting
diplomats. It is wrong to think that allowing
diplomats to visit Vanni is in the interest of LTTE; we
should not entertain such delusions.
In my opinion, how we are looking
into this is, in 1987, there was regional intervention
into the conflict from India. Leader Pirapaharan acted
in accordance with the political climate of that time.
In his Chuthumalai declaration,
he started the speech by saying "we are friends of
India." His 2007 Hero's day speech, has stated the
same sentiments. We can consider it another Chuthumalai
declaration. We expect diplomatic pressures in this
time period.
What we are really troubled by is
the indecision of the International community. India is
indecisive, the international community is indecisive,
they are unable to relate their interests to unfolding
situation in Sri Lanka. Even Russia has shown interest,
they say Iran is also interested. The diplomatic front
is muddled.
Only the demonstration of military
strength by the Tigers can bring clarity to the
situation, for the international community to correctly
relate their interests, and assertively engage.
Consider the countries Somaliland,
Kosovo, and
Montenegro. The west will intervene when their
interests are impacted. But they are reluctant to enter
forcefully in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has state
power.
International Community appears to
be giving a free hand to India. During the war to open
A-9, up to 6000 Sri Lankan soldiers perished, and
nearly 3000 Tigers sacrificed their lives. The
international community accepted the results of that
war, and recognized the LTTE's strength. The question
is why they are not, responding the same way now. In
order to change the international community's view, we
are called to suffer more sacrifices of
life.
We expect 2008 will be the year
where we can overcome the diplomatic hurdles that
confront us. In 2003, we proposed ISGA (Interim Self Governing
Authority) as a framework with which will satisfy
us, our minimal requirements for power-sharing. So
based on this, the international community cannot call
us obstinate, or terrorists. Hillary Clinton also identified us when
she articulated a more nuanced definition of
terrorism.
We expect that in 2008, the Tigers
will bring clarity to Sri Lanka's conflict.
