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Home > Struggle for Tamil Eelam  > Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam > Department of International Relations  > Formation of Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam > US says LTTE transitional government not recognized

Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam

US does not recognise  LTTE transitional government
- and renews listing of LTTE as terrorist organisation

Easwaran Rutnam in Sinhala Owned SriLanka Daily Mirror

24 June 2009

[see also  Krishna Ambalavanar-  இன்றைய வரலாற்றுக் கடமை  ]


The United States says it does not recognize the provisional transnational government of Tamil Eelam announced by the LTTE head of international relations S. Pathmanathan and once again listed the Tigers as a terrorist outfit following its latest review.

Speaking during a live web chat last night from the US State Department, senior U.S. State Department official Gregg Sullivan said that although the US welcomed reports that the LTTE has renounced violence and will now pursue its objectives through peaceful means there is a long way to go before the Tigers can be considered a reliable entity.

“Towards the end of the conflict, their (LTTE) 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. But, the case of Libya illustrates how a nation or organization can change its terrorist path and chart a new course. All I can say is we'll be watching for clear signs of such a change,” he said in response to a question posed by Daily Mirror.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, the US has restricted LTTE funding operations, their travel, and their organization activities through various laws and seizure of assets. Mr. Sullivan said that following a five-year review the decision was taken to continue listing the LTTE as a terrorist entity with all the restrictions on their activities.

“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 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,” he said.

The senior US official also said that despite the activities of the LTTE, there is an essential element that needs to be addressed if Sri Lanka is going to meet its aspirations as a stable, tolerant, unified, and democratic nation.

“I want to underscore that our highest priorities in Sri Lanka right now are addressing the humanitarian needs of the displaced population, facilitating their prompt return to their homes, helping the Government of Sri Lanka heal the wounds of the conflict, and working toward building a democratic, prosperous, tolerant and united Sri Lanka. One of our paramount goals is to convince the Sri Lankan Government that it is in their own interest to reach out to Tamils and promote political reconciliation. Responsible Tamil leaders need to come forward to engage with the Sri Lankan Government constructively,” he said.On the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan the US official said that Sri Lanka and the IMF are currently in the process of negotiating a Stand-by Arrangement and the US is taking a fresh look at the agreement. He however insisted the US is not threatening to block the loan and we will carefully assess any program in light of the conditions in Sri Lanka at the time.

“We are 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,” he said.

He noted that right now Sri Lanka has an opportunity to get 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, he said.
 

 

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