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| Sunday, 14 March 2004 |
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Security |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Prabha, Karuna soft-pedal rift by S. Selvakumar Despite the deep cleft between the North and East in the LTTE framework both Prabhakaran and Karuna are committed to soft-pedaling the whole issue for fear of antagonising not only the Tamil community but especially the international community, political observers noted. Prabhakaran sacked Karuna, his most trusted lieutenant who won many a battle for the Tigers both in the North and East which resulted in daggers being drawn. But not a drop of blood was shed during the last fortnight nor a shot fired, leave alone a word of abuse and to top it all, the Tigers backed Tamil National Alliance meetings in the East goes on uninterrupted. Erik Solheim, Norwegian Special Peace envoy, now in the island met with Trincomalee political wing leader Tilak on Friday where the latter clearly told him that they are fully behind Velupillai Prabhakaran and that they consider him as their national leader. Both extensively discussed the Eastern situation following the Prabha-Karuna rift. Solheim also met with Trincomalee military wing leader Paduman contrary to earlier reports which said Paduman is under house arrest and some reports went on to say he was killed. "As far as our movement is concerned there is no difference between the North and East: Tilak reiterated to Solheim. Top Tiger Trincomalee leaders were associated with Tilak while Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar and SLLM official were with the Norwegian envoy. Addressing reporters after the meeting with Solheim, Tilak said that their military wing leader Paduman was in Wanni that day to meet with Prabhakaran. At the meeting with Solheim, Tilak also expressed fears that political interference would interrupt the smooth exercise of franchise by those living in uncleared areas despite an assurance by the Government Agent that people in uncleared areas in the Trincomalee District could vote in polling booths to be set up in the no-man's zone near the Kattaiparichchan Army Camp and another near the Mahindapura Army Camp. |
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