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| Sunday, 14 April 2002 |
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A new beginning by FACTOTUM That much publicised media conference brought a galaxy of personnel face to face with the Tiger warlord and his cohorts bereft of the stripes and cyanide capsules. The holsters were notably not on display setting the tone for the warring outfit to respond to numerous questions - some answered and others parried - but all in all a welcome change to the boom of guns that would have under different circumstances halted the invasion into the very heartland of the Wanni. As the traditional old year wears itself out what appears to be uppermost is the vocalisation of the aspiration of the people for the downing of arms and the quest for peace. If a turnaround was expected, well, that would have been in the realm of fantasy. For there we have it from the (war)horse's mouth as it were, a declaration that conditions had not yet arisen to abandon the policy of statehood. Two decades of fierce fighting and many more years of bitter confrontations can not be wished away in a moment of adulation and wide exposure. To that extent the hard bargaining positions remain. But a deal has to be struck. Wednesday's marathon session went off without anything untoward happening. The manicurists and pedicurists had done a thorough job to ensure that, we are told. The anxiety of those who emerged from their jungle hideouts could very well be understood and those who were charged with security would have heaved a sigh of relief when the last media person departed. 'Terrorist,' 'Freedom Fighter' is mere nomenclature and reflects the perception - subjective and relative to the situation and the individual. That is all familiar terrain and refrain. Reflecting on India, the 'We love India...' sentiment may not have been repeated but certainly the need for friendly and constructive relations with the fatherland are looked forward to. Will a transit lounge be provided for the ailing and aging negotiator as a gesture of accommodation? Why squabble over recognition of an elected Prime Minister when in the Wanni there is a President and Prime Minister rolled into one? And that smilingly acknowledged by the incumbent in the now familiar safari suit! There was no indication that dissent would be tolerated but a commitment to an open economy was stressed and that should go hand in hand with an open society. The interplay of market forces may demand that whatever shackles that are in place be now freed. The novelty of Wednesday's experience augurs well for a new beginning as demands are met and new structures are set in place. Let us hope as New Year festivities get under way that next time round anxieties may give way to bonhomie and conviviality. |
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