For over 25 years we have crusaded through defining who the LTTE are – for foreign nations like the US, UK, Canada, EU and India the LTTE are conveniently listed as terrorists but for any real action to be taken against them one of their citizens would have to get affected. Killings taking place in Sri Lanka only lead to “we call upon both sides to enter the negotiating table, respect civilian life” which are the oft quoted statements by diplomats and the UN. That these statements mean nothing to the LTTE is clear when they decided to eliminate Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil using a high profile team comprising LTTE and Indians.
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by Shenali Waduge
(June 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The deaths of over 20 innocent people in a crowded bus in Moratuwa followed hours later by another in Kandy certainly opens up opportunity for all those being paid to cry foul and lay the blame upon the Government and not the LTTE.
But all those who cry foul over the loss of civilian life hardly put the blame on the LTTE and their atrocities, but prefer instead to pin the blame upon the Government because it is not willing to give a freehand to the LTTE.
The US’s war against terror meant that they could land on Iraq and indulge in an effort to nullify terrorism and liberate the Iraqi people. Well, the mighty US army has failed in over 8 years of Iraqi rule to bring even a semblance of normalcy to Iraq. However, the East of Sri Lanka has been liberated of LTTE rule and elections have been held months after that very liberation and a former LTTE’er placed as its Chief Minister possibly wondering now why he was cooped up in the Wanni jungles all this while. This does not make the Sri Lanka army mightier than the US army but it goes to show what definite resolve at what needs to be done can do.
Yet, it is apparent that there are international and local forces that wish to vindicate the LTTE internationally and locally for what they truly are. Where were the NGOs when the current bombs left over 25 dead? Were they not quick to activate themselves echoing LTTE’s claim that the army had targeted a civilian bus up North? Why the hypocrisy of silence in this instance. Many of the NGOs were working overtime in canvassing Sri Lanka’s omission from re-election to the Human Rights Council perhaps they may care to comment on why the US has even walked out of the very Council as observers citing that the Council cared only to indulge in Israel bashing? Essentially, vindicating the LTTE is not going to stop their killing spree. But, it does give them a semblance of respectability internationally and that is what is presently happening. None of the negotiations of peace talks held led to any period of lull where killings were concerned and it begs to question of those who wish to continue the peace mantra….a simple WHY and WHAT FOR and FOR WHOSE BENEFIT are these peace negotiations? Either way civilians have perished – even during peace talks.
For over 25 years we have crusaded through defining who the LTTE are – for foreign nations like the US, UK, Canada, EU and India the LTTE are conveniently listed as terrorists but for any real action to be taken against them one of their citizens would have to get affected. Killings taking place in Sri Lanka only lead to “we call upon both sides to enter the negotiating table, respect civilian life” which are the oft quoted statements by diplomats and the UN. That these statements mean nothing to the LTTE is clear when they decided to eliminate Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil using a high profile team comprising LTTE and Indians. Did the world do anything but show dismay and of course those infamous statements? Did these “dismays” affect Prabhakaran and the LTTE in any way at all? So if Rajiv’s killing did not manifest in any action upon the LTTE, we can well assume that the LTTE is not bothered what the world thinks of its killing in the present or future context. From how the international community functions it stands to reason that the LTTE can get away with any carnage.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
______________________
by Shenali Waduge
(June 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The deaths of over 20 innocent people in a crowded bus in Moratuwa followed hours later by another in Kandy certainly opens up opportunity for all those being paid to cry foul and lay the blame upon the Government and not the LTTE.
But all those who cry foul over the loss of civilian life hardly put the blame on the LTTE and their atrocities, but prefer instead to pin the blame upon the Government because it is not willing to give a freehand to the LTTE.
The US’s war against terror meant that they could land on Iraq and indulge in an effort to nullify terrorism and liberate the Iraqi people. Well, the mighty US army has failed in over 8 years of Iraqi rule to bring even a semblance of normalcy to Iraq. However, the East of Sri Lanka has been liberated of LTTE rule and elections have been held months after that very liberation and a former LTTE’er placed as its Chief Minister possibly wondering now why he was cooped up in the Wanni jungles all this while. This does not make the Sri Lanka army mightier than the US army but it goes to show what definite resolve at what needs to be done can do.
Yet, it is apparent that there are international and local forces that wish to vindicate the LTTE internationally and locally for what they truly are. Where were the NGOs when the current bombs left over 25 dead? Were they not quick to activate themselves echoing LTTE’s claim that the army had targeted a civilian bus up North? Why the hypocrisy of silence in this instance. Many of the NGOs were working overtime in canvassing Sri Lanka’s omission from re-election to the Human Rights Council perhaps they may care to comment on why the US has even walked out of the very Council as observers citing that the Council cared only to indulge in Israel bashing? Essentially, vindicating the LTTE is not going to stop their killing spree. But, it does give them a semblance of respectability internationally and that is what is presently happening. None of the negotiations of peace talks held led to any period of lull where killings were concerned and it begs to question of those who wish to continue the peace mantra….a simple WHY and WHAT FOR and FOR WHOSE BENEFIT are these peace negotiations? Either way civilians have perished – even during peace talks.
For over 25 years we have crusaded through defining who the LTTE are – for foreign nations like the US, UK, Canada, EU and India the LTTE are conveniently listed as terrorists but for any real action to be taken against them one of their citizens would have to get affected. Killings taking place in Sri Lanka only lead to “we call upon both sides to enter the negotiating table, respect civilian life” which are the oft quoted statements by diplomats and the UN. That these statements mean nothing to the LTTE is clear when they decided to eliminate Rajiv Gandhi on Indian soil using a high profile team comprising LTTE and Indians. Did the world do anything but show dismay and of course those infamous statements? Did these “dismays” affect Prabhakaran and the LTTE in any way at all? So if Rajiv’s killing did not manifest in any action upon the LTTE, we can well assume that the LTTE is not bothered what the world thinks of its killing in the present or future context. From how the international community functions it stands to reason that the LTTE can get away with any carnage.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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