Ready for talks if LTTE down weapons first - President
He was not aware as yet of Indian diplomats arriving in Colombo for
the SAARC Summit bringing their own security, however he saw nothing
wrong in leaders of countries having their own security when they travel
abroad, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Indian media
yesterday. (July 12).
He was answering questions regarding security for Indian delegates to
the SAARC Summit in Colombo, at a press conference at Thirupathy in
Andhra Pradesh, prior to his departure for Sri Lanka.
“I have my own security here. It is natural. Any leader who comes to
another country will not just walk in there. They will bring their own
security. We consider it our duty to look after their security while in
Sri Lanka, but they also bring their own security. Every leader does
that”, the President said.
Answering a question about a statement by the LTTE’s Political Wing
leader, Nadesan, that the Government was not willing to reopen
negotiations, President Rajapaksa said the government was ready even
today.
“I am ready today. Let them keep their weapons down, because whenever
they are weak they are ready for talks.”
Asked about possible deadline for talks with the LTTE, President
Rajapaksa said there was no deadline as it was up to the LTTE. “From my
side, we are ready. Only, they must give up arms, and give up terrorism.
You know the problems you have in your own country with terrorists and
terrorist organisations.”
“See what happened in Kabul. Terrorism strikes in Kabul, New York,
London and Colombo. It is all the same. You cannot achieve anything
through terrorism,” he said. Asked whether he was interested in
mediation, he said it should be possible to settle this matter by direct
discussions: “We are all Sri Lankans, we are all brothers, whether we
are from the North, East or South. Surely we can settle this by talking
to each other”.
President Rajapaksa explained in detail how the LTTE had been
carrying out attacks on civilians, women and children, for more than 20
years, even when a Ceasefire Agreement was in place. He said that within
two weeks of his election in November 2005, the LTTE had resumed
violence that had gone on for months killing over 200 civilians and
unarmed soldiers.
The government had sought negotiations in Geneva and Oslo, which were
rejected by the LTTE. The current operation to defeat terrorism had
begun only after the LTTE closed the Mavil Aru anicut in mid-2006
cutting off water for drinking and agriculture to more than 15,000
families. The LTTE had rejected the pleas of the government to open the
anicut and give water to the people.
He said the LTTE had now been defeated in the East, where an election
was held, and a former LTTE cadre, who had joined as child soldier when
15 years old, was now the elected Chief Minister.
On relationships with India, the President said there were very good
relations between India and Sri Lanka. “India has always helped Sri
Lanka, and now they are helping to train our people, our soldiers”. The
countries of the Indian sub-continent region were regularly exchanging
intelligence and information of terrorism, he said.
Referring to allegations of the Sri Lankan Navy harassing Indian
fishermen of Rameshwaram, President Rajapaksa said this was not so. He
explained that fishing boats in large numbers came into this area from
India, and the LTTE captured some of these boats and use them to
transport weapons and explosives. The Sri Lanka Navy had to act against
these move of the LTTE.
“You must remember that the LTTE killed one of the greatest leaders
of India (Rajiv Gandhi) who tried to help the LTTE to come to
negotiations. You must always remember that”. He said that subject to
correction, he had heard it said that he (Rajiv Gandhi) had offered to
give his own bullet proof vest to the LTTE leader, when the latter had
said he feared to return to Sri Lanka.
Asked about reports that Sri Lanka was seeking to avoid the new
cricket fixture with England next year, President Rajapaksa said Sri
Lanka cricketers will play in India first.
When told of a warning by the ICC that the interest of the nation
should take precedence over that of players, the President said it was
important to remember what had happened in the past. “When other
countries refused to play cricket in Colombo, who was it that came to
play with us? It was India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Can that be
ignored,” he asked.
The President said he did not wish to get involved in cricket
politics, and it was the Cricket Board which was an independent body
that would decide on the matter. “I can guide them. But there is a
Minister of Sports, too.” He added that the players must also be given
due importance. |