Drop Norway etc., and we will join govt. - Vijitha Herath

The JVP will support the Government if the Government responds positively to our 20 proposals, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said. In an interview with the Sunday Observer staffer Jayantha Sri Nissanka,Herath said that the JVP wants to stop the staggering manner of the UPFA administration, and work on a fixed agenda to improve the present situation in the country.

Q: What is the JVP's assessment on the present situation in the country?

A: This is not a new thing. The LTTE did not stop attacks and killings even though they signed the Ceasefire Agreement. They violated the CFA conditions more than thousand times. But the Security Forces were not allowed to react. People were not provoked even though the LTTE launched attacks on civilians encouraging them to create another black July. But the Government had to interfere when the LTTE denied water for 15,000 families in the Mavilaru area. We were forced to take this step. Actually the Government had evidence three months ago that the LTTE had threatened people not to cultivate. But the Government did not react to this at that time. At least now the Government should realise the LTTE tactics. The LTTE also chased out Muslims from Mutur.

Q: Some claim that the Eelam war four has begun. Is there any truth in this?

A: No, because Prabhakaran started it soon after signing the CFA in 2002 killing intelligent officers, journalists, members of rival political organisations, Lakshman Kadirgamar and blasting a civilian bus in Kebethigollawa, grenade attack on Trincomalee vegetable market, attempt on Army Commander and killing General Parami Kulatunga. If I say in short, the CFA helped the LTTE to reorganise their military powers and was used for Prabhakaran's own agenda.

Q: Why do you say that the CFA benefited Prabhakaran? Why don't you talk on the benefit we received from it?

A: More than the benefits, the CFA put the country to a major disadvantage position. True, there were little benefits for a short period. But for the first time the Government of Sri Lanka officially accepted there is a separate area for the LTTE. This is the biggest disadvantage for us. If the LTTE one day declare independence, they can use this clause to show the world and prove their point. Peace traders used the CFA to the maximum to make millions of rupees. But finally Sri Lanka as a nation got nothing. Actually the real treaty is not the CFA signed on February 22 in 2002. Ranil Wickremesinghe's UNF Government signed an agreement with the Norwegian TSG NOPEC Company on February 13, 2002 allowing this company to conduct research on oil deposits from Mannar to Hambantota and sell information for 10 years. This is the real treaty. They can fulfil their commercial interest if we have a weak Government. That is why they support the LTTE and interfere with the North and East issue.

Q: But don't you think that the LTTE lost their grip in the East because of peace talks which led Karuna to defect from the LTTE?

A: Karuna was defected not due to the peace talks. If you see in the past, how many times the LTTE split due to the internal clashes with Prabhakaran. That is why we have PLOT, TELO, EPRLF and EPDP parties today. The LTTE decisions were taken disregarding the interest of the East Tamils. This led Karuna to defect from the LTTE with his men. There are lots of differences in North Tamils and East Tamils.

Q: But Norway was invited to run a facilitator role in the peace process by the Sri Lankan Government. How do you say that they forcibly clinched into the peace process?

A: Yes, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga invited Norway to assist us in the peace process and not by Ranil Wickremesinghe. She is responsible for internationalising this issue. Ranil further strengthened it.

Q: Has the LTTE advanced to Mavilaru, Sampur and chased out Muslims from Mutur to target the Trincomalee harbour and disrupt the supply route to the North?

A: Yes, these areas are in Government controlled areas. There was a small camp in Mavilaru and it was removed on October 16, 1997 for the Jayasikuru operation. Then in 1998 a big camp was established to protect the Mavilaru area. But after the CFA, this camp was also removed. But Army patrols were conducted in this area. JVP MP Jayantha Wijesekara led to renovate the Mavilaru anicut in 2004 with Irrigation engineers. The LTTE started camps thereafter. After President Kumaratunga took over the Defence Ministry, when we brought to her notice about the LTTE development in this area, she said that it has no much threat. If action was taken at that time, we could have avoided this problem.

Q: What is the JVP's stand on the North and East issue. Are you all emphasising a war to settle the ethnic problem?

A: The LTTE is the stumbling block to find a solution to the North and East problem. Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese have to be given equal rights. The LTTE should be defeated militarily. Prabhakaran is the one who harasses people of these three communities. Tamils flee to Sinhalese areas as a result and we give them protection. The Government should not get caught to the peace trap by LTTE back forces but defeat the LTTE militarily and find a solution with other parties. The illusive peace process only strengthens the LTTE.

Q: Are you saying that the Government should abrogate the peace process?

A: We must try our best to get the LTTE to the peace table and force them to stop attacks. If the LTTE is ready to settle the North and East issue on a definite time table, we must continue discussions. But if they continue with attacks, we must treat them the same way.

Q: Peace activists blame the JVP and JHU for push the Government to war. What is your answer to them?

A: I would like to ask them, have the JVP and JHU killed people in Kebethigollawa, the attempt on the army commander, killing General Parami Kulatunga, Lakshman Kadirgamar, denying water to 15,000 families in Mavilaru, attack on the Trincomalee vegetable market, bomb Mutur and chased out Muslim civilians from the area and so on.

Q: The International Community only banned the LTTE but allows front organisations to operate under different names. Recently there was an LTTE procession in the USA and UK. TNA MPs were distinguished guests. Why does every Government place more confidence on the International Community?

A: Yes, because our Governments do not have a backbone. We request this Government not to bow their head to the International Community on Sri Lanka's internal affairs. We should not betray ourselves just for aid. Then only can we be proud as a nation.

Q: Though you blame the International Community, you took aid from Norway when you were the Minister of Cultural affairs. Why this duplicity?

A: Yes, I got it because they were ready to aid cultural centres. But they did not come to impose conditions on us. They knew that we will not accept any condition.

Q: But can we isolate ourselves from the International Community for empty pride?

A: We have enormous resources compared with other countries. We can rise as a nation taking good things from the world. But just because we have to work with the international community, we can't let them interfere with national issues. We have to stop this.

Q: Why do you blame Norway for their facilitator role?

A: The reality is that, if there is a strong Government they can't exploit Sri Lanka. This is the theory of globalisation. Norway doesn't come here just because they have sympathy on the Tamil people but they use this issue to enter Sri Lanka. Even India played the same strategy. They introduced a Provincial Council system. But Rajiv Gandhi stressed in a letter to President J. R. Jayewardene not to hand over Trincomalee oil tanks to any country without telling India.

Q: Though Norway has the interest to divide Sri Lanka according to your opinion, do you think that India will allow two nations in Sri Lanka?

A: If it is a threat to India, they will interfere. If the West backs Eelam being created, India will interfere. Perhaps, India might like if this problem continues.

Q: Why do you say that when the LTTE is always in a disadvantaged position, Norway comes to rescue the LTTE?

A: Yes, we have let them interfere with internal affairs. When the LTTE was banned by the European Union, Norway organised a meeting in Oslo to stop the ban. But it was too late then. That is why we say that they are not honest. They have become a facilitator of the LTTE to establish Eelam. Last week when the LTTE was being defeated in Mavilaru, Bauer ran to Sri Lanka.

Q: Some says that until Prabhakaran is alive, it is no point talking peace with the LTTE. What is your view on this?

A: We can't assume that the LTTE will be over if Prabhakaran is killed. But I see that the political needs of the LTTE is to create an Eelam. If we suppress this idea only, we can find a solution to the North and East. They are a hindrance to the peace. The LTTE should be defeated militarily.

Q: What is the Government's response to your 20 proposals?

A: We handed over our proposals to the Government on August 2. Then, on August 4 we had a preliminary discussion. Still we can't say that it is successful or not. It will be decided by future discussions.

Q: What are the issues contained in the 20 proposals?

A: It is basically on the present situation in the country. It is about abolishing the CFA officially, remove Norway from the facilitator role, SLMM has become redundant, fix a definite time table for the LTTE to come for talks, take immediate action if the LTTE is threatening national security, stop privatisation and reduce the number of ministries. If the Government accepts our proposals we will support the Government.

Q: Have you decided to support the Government fearing that the UNP defectors strengthen the Government benches and you will lose your controlling power in the Government?

A: Disgruntled UNP MPs are joining the Government is not a big issue to us as it can't have much impact. We were offered Ministerial portfolios but we did not accept. We want to support the Government because the country can't go in this staggering manner any longer. Foreign intervention further confused our problems.

Q: The International Community is with Sri Lanka today because the Government is still holding to the CFA. Can the Government accept your proposals since you want to remove Norway from the role of facilitator and abolish the CFA?

A: This is not Ranil Wickremesinghe's backboneless Government. People elected Mahinda Rajapaksa as the President to take a decision with confidence to solve our problems. We also want peace but not illusive peace.

The Government should be courageous to take a decision because the Rajapaksa Government has a backbone. What have the International Community and Norway done so far. International Community will never interfere if we are strong. If I give you an example, the Government did not allow Jon Hanssen Bauer to discuss with Thamilchelvam in Kilinochchi on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government regarding the Mavilaru issue. So Bauer shut his mouth. We appreciate and commend the Government's decision. We must show our limits.

The International Monetary Fund imposed conditions and threatened to withdraw from Vietnam unless they adhere to their conditions. But the Vietnam Government said if you want to go you may go but we will not adhere to your conditions. So still the IMF is there and funding the Vietnam projects.