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In the face of escalating LTTE violence against security forces, Government's Defence Affairs Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle says that the forces act with a higher degree of restraint. "You might ask whether the price that you pay for peace is worth it. But, peace I suppose is priceless," he said in an interview.

Minister Rumbukwelle spoke to the Sunday Observer's staffers, Jayantha Sri Nissanka and Ranga Jayasuriya on Friday as the government awaited the LTTE response to the offer a private chopper to transport its Eastern Commanders.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Certain incidents of communal violence have been reported. Last week in Trincomalee and in Seruwila on Friday. The LTTE may be expecting a backlash like in 1983 to cover up their mistakes and gain sympathy of the international community. How would the Government respond to the LTTE strategies?

A: The first incident in Trincomalee market was triggered off on the eve of new year targeting civilians by the LTTE expecting a backclash. If it happened under normal circumstances, there could have been a calamity. President Mahinda Rajapaksa took immediate action and sent a Minister with Commanders of Armed Forces and the IGP to bring the situation under control.

The Government was able to control the situation in three hours. Since we effectively controlled the situation, the LTTE could not gain anything. We were able to control with police curfew and it was lifted very next day. People will not fall prey to 'survival' strategies of some groups who are trying to fish in trouble waters.

Q: But tension is escalating in border Villages as a result of LTTE provocations. How will the Government address this?

A: Yes, we are vigilant on this issue very much. We have alerted the Police and armed forces personnel to prevent any untoward incidents.

Q: An allegation constantly made by the LTTE is that there are armed elements operating in the Government control areas. What have you got to say about this?

A: There was not a single incident of killings since Geneva talks up to Vigneshwaran's murder. This was the most unfortunate incident. Vigneshwaran was tipped to replace late Joseph Pararajasingham. There were differences over his appointment among them. These kind of things have even happened in the South as well.

The LTTE claims that some of their cardres have been killed by armed group sponsored by the forces. Where are the magisterial inquest reports to prove that cadres got killed? They can claim numbers but nobody knows how many got killed. But the Government forces do not have access to those areas. If they allow Government forces access to those areas then we will take the responsibility.

Many of those groups who have defected from the LTTE have embraced democracy. We cannot risk their lives and let any other group to harass them. But if any armed group is operating within Government control areas, law and order will take its course.

Q: You mean that LTTE allegations are baseless?

A: Yes, totally baseless. Some members of the LTTE have decamped. They want to revert to the normal life and involve themselves in the democratic political mainstream.

Q: But former SLMM Chief Hagrup Haukland made a statement that there are certain elements carrying arms in the Government controlled areas. Is that correct?

A: He may have seen some of them because he knows better than us who are the people carrying arms in those areas. He might have identified defectors of the LTTE much more clearly than Government forces because he has had access and association with them. But as far as forces are concerned, if there are any armed groups operating in Government controlled areas, we have no hesitation to take them into custody.

The LTTE named few persons like EPDP leader Douglas Devananda. They are out to kill him and made many attempts on his life. Whom are we to indict on these counts. Are we to arrest Devananda who has become a democrat and got elected as an MP? Let us make no mistake. The LTTE may be trying to eliminate who have embraced democracy on the basis of the para military issue.

Q: Karuna has started a political office in Batticaloa. Is the Government ready to provide security if he makes a request?

A: We have given security to the Hela Urumaya too. There are 58 registered political parties. If the Political parties are registered and if they are under threat by any organisation, it's a duty of the Government to provide security.

Q: But in the past we have seen the government failing to fulfil that duty. Scores of EPDP and PLOTE members have been killed since the Ceasefire Agreement. What has gone wrong?

A: Well. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and many other leaders like President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayake, Lalith Athulathmudali and many victims I can name. In this gun culture or conflict situation, particularly with suicide attacks, security is vulnerable. We are doing our best to save lives.

Q: The LTTE has rejected the Government offer of a private chopper to transport its Eastern cadres. What is the next step?

A: There is a bit of confusion about this. Special peace envoy Hanssen Bauer told us that the programme was not given properly. That is the reason for this debate.

Q: What do you mean by the programme?

A: Whether LTTE wants a bigger chopper or a small one. Because a small one can carry only three or four persons. We gave the SLMM the programme. Even from an Air Force chopper we can only transport three to four persons. Finally 32 LTTE leaders got into the ship after it was offered. As far as the Government's bona fide is concerned, it is very clear we have acted in good faith.

The Government also has certain commitments and constrains and we can stretch it to some extent for the sake of peace. But stretching beyond the limit can break it. Within limits, we have done our best.

My view on the transport issues is, that if we undertook to transport them, it will become our responsibility. We thought that the sea transport was the best for their safe travelling. They have not gone through the sea arrangement movements. Navy craft were beyond three nautical miles in good faith to ensure a safe sailing of the ship.

Q: Do you say that it was for the safety of LTTE cardres that a sea transport was offered?

A: Yes. If the Navy had any sinister ideas, the Navy will not place SLMM officers on board. The LTTE requested a safest possible way for their Eastern commanders to travel to the North. We thought sea transport was the safest way along with SLMM officials.

Q: Do you think that the LTTE is making excuses to avoid Geneva talks?

A: Their agenda looks peculiar. I cannot comment on it. But what I can say is that many political parties in the South gave up rigidness for the sake of peace after the Government convinced them. The LTTE has to take the total responsibility if talks fail.

Q: There were claymore attacks on security personnel. What is the Government's strategy to counter such attacks?

A: The Government's strategy is very clear and we do not want any back clash. Our forces have acted very patiently as a professionally disciplined Force. They have proved it always.

One might try our patience but for the sake of achieving peace we will tolerate further. Even international community, Co-Chairs and all the parties help Sri Lanka to achieve this goal. We have made many sacrifices beyond tolerance level.

Q: Can we afford these sacrifices any longer?

A: The price that you pay, is for peace. You might ask whether the price that you pay for peace is worth it. But, peace I suppose is priceless.

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