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| Sunday, 26 June 2005 |
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Muslims fear LTTE intransigence not P-TOMS by Ranga Jayasuriya Muslims are not conceptually against the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure, but have fears of its practical implementation, said the Muslim Peace Secretariat Chief, Javed Yousuf contrasting the position of Muslims with that of the other parties against the P-TOMS. "We accept the conceptual necessity of a joint-structure, but have fears of its practical implementation, whereas the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and Jathika Hela Urumaya oppose it both conceptually and practically," he said addressing a round table discussion on the Muslim factor of the P-TOMS organised by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka. Yousuf said when the Muslim theologians met President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga last week, they expressed the same fears that the LTTE would renege on its responsibilities, a practice often repeated in the history of its relations with Muslims. "Jamiyathul Ulema raised concerns of the possibility of the LTTE moving to intimidation techniques, after once agreeing to the P-TOMS," he said. The Muslim Peace Secretariat Chief raised concerns that Muslims were under-represented in the P-TOMS, but added that there was a "strong thought"in the government side that at least one of its nominees should be a Muslim. He said the Regional Council having its secretariat in Kilinochchi is a cause for concern. "I know it is a bit worrying," he said adding it had been done to appease the LTTE. "If the LTTE is reasonable we won't have half of these problems," he said. "I am sure the Muslim community has the capacity to find three or more individuals who have the courage to work in Kilinochchi with the LTTE," he said delivering the keynote address. He said the setting up of P-TOMS would help the resumption of the peace negotiations. "Then the Muslims are ready to take part in the negotiations as a separate delegation," he questioned. President's Counsel M.M.Zuhair described the ethnic composition of the apex body of the P-TOMS as a huge step forward from the Indo-Lanka peace accord in 1987, in which the LTTE demanded eight slots in a council of 11 members. "If the Muslim representative in Apex body opposes any proposal, he could veto it," he said. However, he also suggested certain clauses of the P-TOMS to be reviewed. "Regional Council should meet in the capitals of all six districts, not only in Kilinochchi," he said also suggesting the chairmanship of the Regional Council to be rotated like in the apex body where the chairman rotates every two months. "It is not a great thrill to be a signatory to the agreement. Rather we should demand our areas to be developed and controlled by Muslims," he said. Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana appealed to the Muslim political leaders to unite and have a common forum to campaign for Muslim interests. "I am certain that the President is above petty political interests," he said. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem addressing the audience described himself as "thoroughly disappointed, disillusioned and angry", after being left out in the process of formulating the P-TOMS. |
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