Irony: LTTE leader nominated to Norway Parliament?

by Deepal Warnakulasuriya

A seminar, which had been organised by World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS), Sansadaya (the forum) and Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) in Colombo recently to educate the public on `Norwegian support for LTTE terrorism' reasoned to have some unexpected incidents in political scenario of the country. The most recent incident was Norwegian special envoy to the Sri Lankan peace process who had to cancel his visit to Vanni which he had planned it for the next day.

Norwegians Against Terrorism founder Falk Rovik who made the keynote address at the meeting said that Norway had utterly failed as a peace facilitator due to its dishonesty and clear partiality towards the LTTE, which had been proven by its actions from the very start of its involvement in the process.

Norway's illogical attempt

Rovik at the same time pointed his finger at Norway's naked political leanings which had exposed another example of international interference in developing nations with ulterior motives aimed at weakening and breaking up the existing states. He implied that their notion might be exploitation of the Third World developing countries with a colonial mindset.

He explained that the NAT has been observing the LTTE's activities in Norway and campaigning against them and at the international level, they were tracing the LTTE international network and funds to the LTTE.

He also added that in order to understand why Norway supports the LTTE, one has to study the LTTE's success in Norway. NAT founder questioned the so-called Norwegian facilitators about their illogical attempt to balance the legally and democratically elected sovereign state with an armed band of thugs engaged in violence and terrorism, in pursuit of ulterior political motives.

According to Rovik, Norway has more than 12.000 Sri Lankan Tamils and the Tamil Diaspora either voluntary support or, are extorted to participate in the funding of the LTTE. "LTTE cultural and educational programs offer services from cradle to the grave for the Tamil Diaspora.

These activities however are funded entirely by the Norwegian Government and the municipalities. Sri Lankans are one of Norway's most valued immigrants, but the LTTE damages their reputation'. The quotation from NAT founder's presentation or other words from a Norwegian who does not want to promote or assist terrorism forces all Sri Lankans to open their eyes.

In his half an hour presentation he was trying to prove that Norway has become a safe haven for the LTTE and its agents.

Terrorism on Tamils

He questioned Norway's credibility of being a peace maker while allowing the Tigers to engage in their usual terror activities. He directly accused Norway's territory is being used to collect funds to commit acts of terrorism against all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamils.

It is obvious that the LTTE has already built an impressive political network in Norway using the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an international door opener.

He also highlighted the Norwegian funding for LTTE front organisations in Norway, secured Norwegian funding for the LTTE and its Sri Lankan front organisations and assured unconditional Norwegian political support for the LTTE. Another significant point which drew much attention was Norwegian LTTE leader Yogarajah Balasingham's nomination for a Norwegian Parliament seat in 2005.

He had been elected into the Oslo Municipality parliament in 2003 and it shows how LTTE's intelligence groups have mapped to "recruit" Norwegian politicians and bureaucrats to be their loyal friends. "They use all these tricks to sell to the outer world the same lie "LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamils", Rovik stressed.

Furthermore, according to Rovik, Y. Balasingham had admitted active participation in the fund-raising and Norwegian newspaper `Aftenposten' reveals more than 80% of Norwegian Tamils fund the LTTE.

The sad story again is Tamils who do not voluntary pay to the LTTE are threatened. LTTE extortion of the Tamil Diaspora is however ignored by Norwegian police. The amount, which the LTTE raises every year, is considered as more than ten million US dollars from the Tamil Diaspora in Norway. LTTE is also raising funds from Norwegians through TRO one of its many fronts.

Norwegian newspapers run by LTTE sympathizers have TRO advertisements and TRO used the Tsunami to raise funds from Norwegians. The next significant issue what Rovik highlighted was Norwegian aid to Sri Lankan organisations which favourable to the LTTE and the Norwegian facilitation role. Here, it is obvious the government role must be specific on this issue.

And next is the Norwegian aid to Sri Lanka categorised as "secret funds". Are these "secret funds" were used to manipulate Sri Lankan elections? It is a re-thinkable question.

Otherwise, secret funds used to give additional funds to the LTTE? Moreover, how much secret funds has been used in the Sri Lankan "facilitation"? Those are not just questions to read and forget. The time has come the authoritarians to look into these matters.

It is true that If Norway wants to gain any credibility, they have at least to realize that as a peace facilitator they must meet these allegations. As we believe, they must not be in a need of greater chaos within the island and destabilize the Indian sub-continent region as well.

Therefore, Norway should not forget that all the citizens of the country are waiting their response to these and the same time they will also be telling that any solution has to acceptable by people of the country in the final analysis.

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