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| Sunday, 26 September 2004 |
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Mismatch between Tiger words and deeds by Rashomi Silva The speech of the President to the UN General Assembly drew fire from the legislators of the Tamil National Alliance, who were of the view 'the main stumbling block in the way of resuming peace talks was the lack of clarity and the existing contradictions among the partners of ruling UPFA coalition. If the government needs to speak in one voice and to clear the differences between its partners, the LTTE too, before the resumptionof talks would have to clear their own differences within the organisation. Indications are ample the LTTE despite what their political ally the TNA says are more keen on regaining the control of the East before making any move in the peace front. President Kumaratunga whilst expressing her apprehensions on the some of the contents of the LTTE's ISGA proposals had shown her willingness to re-start talks based on the LTTE proposals. Yet she was of the view a better result could be yielded if the parties could concurrently talk on the interim authority and broad outline of a final settlement. The point made by the President was consistent with that of the activists in the peace front, while viewing 'some sort of interim arrangement' as an essential condition before working out a final settlement. Experts said at least an idea of a final solution had to be drawn out by the parties, before establishing an interim authority for the North-East."Talks could be carried out simultaneously on both the interim administration and on a broad outline of a final settlement," said Rohan Edrisinghe, a lecturer attached to the Colombo Law Faculty. But the LTTE argument is the parties have already agreed on a final solution and that would be based on the 'Oslo Declaration' which outlines a 'federal system based on internal self determination in the area of historical habitation of the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka'. As the parameters set here are broad, the government wanted a more defined idea on the final settlement. More than at any other time in the history, the ground is favourable for the gaining of the legitimate rights of the 'minority communities' today. The main opposition the UNP had agreed to provide their support for any government move in taking forward the peace process, the international community is eagerly awaiting to rebuild the war torn nation once we made good progress in the peace front. The question is whether the government and the LTTE are ready to make the first move. With ever unending cycle of troubles and lull following each other in the ethnically tense East, the country witnessed another bloody attempt by the Tigers, to gain the status of sole representor of the 'Tamil nation'. Ambush attack carried out by the LTTE on early Thursday in a rebel held area near Batticaloa-Polannaruwa border killed Reggi, the deputy leader of the Karuna faction together with two other hard-core members, named Elilan and Thumilan. No need to say the killings are severe blow to the renegades. |
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