Opinion:

How did LTTE operatives have UNHCR passes?

Suddenly not only are LTTErs emerging alive from the dead, at least that was what internationally accepted reports initially revealed to embarrass Sri Lanka, but now supposed ‘refugees’ holding UNHCR passes are being arrested as well.

A lot of unlawful activities are taking place, all revolving around the world's favourite terrorist organisation the LTTE. Though the LTTE is banned in 32 nations, some of these countries obviously to spite Sri Lanka are making a mockery of their own ban by allowing the LTTE to hold memorial services for dead terrorist cadres and we believe it is only a matter of time before the LTTE calls for Eelam from those countries.

On May 15, the Malaysian Special Branch's Counter-Terrorism Division arrested three LTTE suspects at different locations.

Approval

We are not in the least surprised that they held UNHCR refugee cards and this clue provides the basis for our continued argument that the LTTE was enjoying the explicit nod of approval of Western NGOs and INGOs and even Western Governments.

Now our doubts are being proved correct as truth has a funny way of emerging when one least expects.

What should embarrass the UN and Navi Pillay who is ever ready to produce the red card against Sri Lanka, is that the three LTTE suspects had left Sri Lanka obtaining UNHCR refugee status during the infamous ceasefire agreement in 2004. The UN Agency should release the entire list of Tamils to whom such refugee passes had been given over the years for we may be able to find out more breathing corpses and plenty of other LTTE operatives on foreign shores.

The Malaysian police have also seized LTTE propaganda material, media equipment and foreign currencies of 24 nations equivalent to Rs M 20,176.53.

This means that LTTE has been having a smooth run in 24 nations which would also provide a good basis for their illicit network of activity and money laundering and other illegalities.

Deals

We appreciate the statement of Malaysia's Inspector General of Police - “We will not allow the country to be used as a place for them to hide or conduct any terror activities.”

The quote is good enough to be sent to all the nations that mollycoddled the Tiger remnants or rather the tiger sponsors living plush lives on foreign climes fooling those in Sri Lanka to take the gun and fight the Sri Lankan military so that they can find new ways to fatten their bank accounts by indulging in various deals that have not benefitted any of the

LTTE cadres who foolishly laid down their lives or the families whose children were forcibly plucked and made into killers. A good look back will show that the martyrdom has nothing whatsoever to do with justice for any Hindus but a bigger plan that remains alive in the countries that had been supporting the Tigers over the years.

The diaspora has much to shoulder in terms of accountability just as those who have fooled and continue to fool the Tamils.

Nevertheless, what needs to be continuously reiterated is that with the emergence of K. Thayapararaja from the dead and now refugees who are really not refugees but are LTTE operatives and the demand to hold LTTE memorials on foreign shores put together, we can imagine where the ‘dead’ are actually living in and it should embarrass the foreign nations for keeping these LTTE supposed ‘dead’ alive on their shores while carrying out a smear campaign accusing Sri Lanka of falsely torturing and killing them to which the UNHRC head Navi Pillay and the organs of the UN have all been complicit in.

Providing cover

The UNHRC and Navi Pillay have been pontificating to Sri Lanka on transparency but they have conducted in an unbecoming manner for such a high-level organisation. The UN could not simply wash its hands of in type of sensitive matter which harms sovereignty of an independent state.

Whatever the reasons are, the UN body for refugees has conducted in a high-handed manner by providing cover to members of a terrorist organisation which has been banned in the US, UK, European Union and several other countries. They must give explanations and tender an apology for using the UN as an organisation to provide cover to terrorists.

Malaysia's IGP, Khalid Abu Bakar had said the trio, who had been in their country since 2004, were arrested in multiple raids in the Central Selangor State on May 15.

“They used Malaysia as a base to collect funds, spread their propaganda, and were attempting to revive the defunct terrorist group at the international level,” he said in a statement. Police also seized propaganda material of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and some money in various foreign currencies.

There is a small but affluent Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora living in multi-racial Malaysia after migrating from their homeland many decades ago. Khalid said they were registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and so had been able to remain in Malaysia since 2004 without visas.

“We will not allow the country to be used as a place for them to hide or conduct any terror activities in the country or on foreign soil,” he said.

The Malaysian security forces have made a series of arrests involving foreign terror suspects and foiled a plot to attack foreign missions in two Indian cities during the past few weeks.

Police have also launched an investigation into whether Al-Qaeda-linked Somali rebels were seeking to set up a base in the South East Asian country after a suspected insurgent was arrested.

It is crystal clear that the three terrorists have remained in Malaysia pure because of the UN refugee status they enjoyed. That had given provision for them to live in Malaysia without a visa.

This is a serious case the UN should seriously look into and give an immediate explanation.

- defence.lk