Counteracting Tiger propaganda internationally

by Sarath Wijesinghe

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Civil war is a war in which a particular group of people within the same culture, society, or nationality fight against each other with or without legitimacy for the control of political power. This is a reasonable and accepted definition recognized by the international community.

War on terror also known as war on terrorism was better known during the campaign initiated by the USA and joined by other countries round the world which includes various military, political, legal, religious and personal actions taken to "CURB" spread of terrorism following the 9/11 attack.

War on terrorism was authorised by the United States Congress under the authorisation of the USA military force against terrorism act passed on September 2001.

Today the speeches and statements of some international politicians on Sri Lanka reminds us of the story of a group of blind men trying to identify the elephant by touching the organs of the animal, and make expert comments on the shape.

Some make statements assuming expert knowledge on Sri Lankan Affairs. Sri Lanka is always in news due to activism by LTTE front line organisations worldwide. Sri Lanka has experienced civil war and insurgencies previously.

Barak Obama, one of the candidates contesting for the party candidacy, has stated that he can not understand the Sri Lankan issue as "everyone involved in the conflict looks exactly the same" and the problem in Lanka is a problem of "others" and not that of themselves.

Obama must be reminded that Loyalists and Protestants in the IRA conflict were all alike - both being white men - yet they fought for the religion and other political and semi political considerations. USA UK and many western countries called them (IRA) terrorists until they laid down arms and entered the democratic process.

Completely different

Hillary Clinton has compared Sri Lankan issue to the "Barque" issue in Spain and the issue of Al-Bnar province which are completely different to that of the Sri Lankan issue.

She was approached by LTTE fund raisers but due to the timely intervention of efficient Foreign Minister and Secretary contributions is understood to have been refunded. These statements show how "Hollow" their knowledge on Sri Lankan affairs.

It is time to do some research or seed advice before preparing important political speeches. We urge our Embassies and High Commissions of foreign countries based in Sri Lanka to advice the respective governments properly without being swayed by LTTE and frontline propaganda.

The Sri Lankan dispute is in international news so much that many speak on the subject authoritatively without knowing the actual and realistic situation.

Many international documents, encyclolopedias and even academics conveniently omit Terror situation in Sri Lanka when suppression of terrorist attacks in Afginistan, Iraq, and similar conflicts are categorised as war on terror. In Kosovo over 1,200, 000 Serbians are trapped in the self proclaimed "Independent Kosovo" dependent on Serbia and European Community and USA.

Joining the European Community is the third blunder made by British -first being Vietnam War by USA and, secondly in Iraq and Kosovo issues which are volcanoes about to be erupted. Today United Kingdom is full of unwanted immigrants and members of the European Community living as "parasites" to the British Society.

The doors for traditional Asian Educated and productive immigrants are closed in place of economic migrants from Iraq, Somalia, Middle Eastern and African immigrants who depend on income support and government benefits instead of Asian Immigrants who were productive and educated.

United Kingdom has given safe haven to terrorists including LTTE and today as a result United Kingdom is in a difficult situation. London - the HUB of international business centre has become the HUB of terrorist organisations worldwide including the LTTE and its front organisations.

They promote Terrors of wars and civil wars in the UK soil causing hardships to the British who are gentle and tolerant. Today the West shows no mercy to terrorists and terrorism. Panorama on February 25 on TV - channel one - gave harrowing accounts of treatment given to Iraqi prisoners of war by UK and USA armies - call them any name, but the treatment were barbaric.

According to Panorama many who entered the army premises did not return, and bodies were tortured and mutulated. USA army in Afganistan and Iraq were more brutal. On the contrast to the credit to Sri Lankan Forces today Sri Lankan soldiers are exemplary and professional.

Metro - one of London's leading daily papers on February 27 says - Sir Norman whose force covers the homes of 717 suicide bombers are under strict surveillance to protect from "al - qaeda-wannebes" posing serious threat to Britain.

Though the UK is a haven and a leader of Human Rights, the Prevention of Terrorism act is ruthlessly implemented and ready to apply internment if and when necessary.

Forces are free to search any body or property any time of the day and take any precautionary measures in the interest of security. Security has been given priority over all other considerations.

These days visiting foreign NGOs to Sri Lanka are regular and frequent. They say they are concerned about the Human Right situation in the country. They are also aware of the situation in Afganistana, Iraq and war affected areas and the human right situations. They expect the Government to maintain international standards and threaten to link aid to human rights.

Human Rights convention

They little realise that Sri Lanka has ratified most of the human right conventions and instruments and has one of the most effective and successful mechanisms to promote human rights in the world.

Heidemaria Wieczarek-Z the German Economic Corporation minister during her visit has made repeated remarks on the Human rights situation and wanted us to decide on aid or peace threatening to withdraw GSP - general system of preference where Sri Lanka was given lot of concessions on taxes on exporters.

Mr Ban Ki Moon, Angela Kane, and Norwegian Minister on foreign affairs have made some remarks which are worrying that there is no body to monitor human rights in the absence of Norwegians.

They should be advised that we have the most effective human rights machinery/mechanism to protect civilians with the help of the Human Rights Commission and the world media is completely misguided and misdirected by ferocious LTTE and front organisations all over the world.

Though British colonised us which was the order of the era, we achieved and acquired a lot from them. Today we share their language, system of Governance, Law, Culture and most areas in life in addition to our own way of living. It is very sad that due to devious moves by these so-called movements based in UK, Sri Lanka has had few misunderstandings with some Western embassies/High Commissions.

With whom we had good and friendly relations running for hundreds of years. Cross words and differences of opinions of His Excellencies of USA and UK are unwarranted and unnecessary. Our international image building has a direct ripple effect on the activism of terror groups acting as sophisticated non governmental organisations.

United Nations too is a non governmental organisation consisting of Governments/States of the world family. Unfortunately this too is infested with high ranking NGO groups with ulterior motives to achieve their ends. But the good news is that some NGOs tend to change their attitude.

International Crisis Group recently made a revolutionary remark as follows: "The Government's desire to defect the Liberation of Tamil Eelam and end the war definitively is understandable"... "Its Ceasefire violations and abuses of the population under its control helped push the government towards war against terrorism."

Frequent visits by important members of important organisations have had direct impact on our economy and the liberation struggle. Our liberation struggle is mainly to liberate our Tamil/Muslim and Sinhalese brethren trapped in the North and East by LTTE.

The second phase is to liberate the entire country from terror for every body to be free and peaceful. In North and East Sinhala is the minority. In Colombo too Sinhala is the minority.

The majority in Colombo is Tamil and then Muslims. Tamils and Muslims are the business "Giants" in Colombo and this is a factor accepted and tolerated by the Sinhala minority in Colombo and the entire country.

Last to visit to Sri Lanka by a high flying is Ms Angela Kane, the Assistant Secretary General of Public Affairs of the United Nations. The timing and the purpose of her visit is somewhat unusual as many high flying NGO leaders have made statements outside their purview.

Her mandate seems "to focus the relationship between the United Nations country team working in Sri Lanka and the Government of Sri Lanka so that the work of the United Nation agencies in Sri Lanka can be more effective".

Previously another lady visitor almost demanded to set up a UN outlet on human rights and an employee of a leading NGO attempted to invite UN agencies without permission. Fortunately the Government was prompt not to extend her visa which prevented an irreparable international disaster.

All these NGOs are using Sri Lanka as a soft target when gross violations taking place in Iraq, Afganistan and many other countries are not considered as important as Sri Lankan affairs. Braque they have left alone as they are "OIL RICH" powerful and ferocious fighters.

We do not speak with one voice. Main political parties are divided and selfish unlike in the United Kingdom where Labour, Conservative and Liberals fought hand in hand against IRA terrorists.

Though "Good Friday Agreement" which ended IRA terror was arrived at during Labour, next election Conservatives are heading to win the general elections. This is a good lesson for Sri Lanka's main opposition party.

It is time the Nation is united in the resolution of the War on Terror and offer equal protection and rights to all in a Unitary State as devolution and international intervention has proved wrong in Kosovo.

We have to put up and live with realities. As United Nations too is a Non Governmental organisation we cannot afford to have a head on battle with them or any other established organisations. We have to be tactful, hardworking and work with an aim and an agenda to win them over and educate them. They think they are correct and mainly go by world media reports which is LTTE infested.

They are established and world organisations give them facilities and funds. If the government and the nation put the foot down, they will change themselves. A classic example is the treatment and the attitude of the President towards the NGOs. We have an abled Foreign Minister and a Secretary with enormous experience and reputation on international affairs.

We are a respected and a senior member of the world community. We have a strong, powerful and educated expatriate community. We have a fearless abled and powerful leader with an international recognition backed by an abled Defence Secretary and fearless heads of armed forces, what is lacking is the commitment of our foreign embassies that still act as traditional inert and inactive government departments.

The good news is that steps are being taken by the President and the Minister of foreign affairs to revamp and overhaul the entire Foreign Service to meet the modern challenges and vigorous and ferocious propaganda by the LTTE and front line organisations.

We have almost won the war, it is time to give equal rights to all communities and races and give protection, preservation and maintenance of individual and collective human rights in Sri Lanka. With joint efforts of all these forces, we will be able to eradicate the terrorists and terrorism in whatever the name it is called by the International Media.