German Interior Minister Schäuble meets Sri Lankan Ambassador

by Lalith Ganhewa in Berlin
(Our Special Correspondent)

(August 30, Berlin, Sri Lanka Guardian) As the Federal Minister of Interior affairs in Germany Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble holds one of the most important and biggest ministries of the German cabinet. Dr. Schäble is responsible for a broad range of tasks extending from internal security, Countering terrorism, policy on foreigners and asylum, the public service, administrative reforms, constitutional laws, Information Society to sports.

Soon after the summer vacation, Dr. Schäuble received the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Germany Mr. T. B. Maduwegedara on the 26th of August.

At his office Minister Dr. Schäuble have been discussing the bilateral relations between the two countries and the activities of the LTTE and its front organisations in Germany.

Ministers have been keen to know why the terror war can not be finished soon in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador to Germany Mr. Maduwegedara has pointed out to the minister that LTTE fighting methods are Guerrilla tack tics and not the methods of a conventional army, they use innocent civilians as human shields and human bombs.

Further the ambassador has pointed out that as long as powerful western countries like Germany do not take strong measures to stop fundraising to the LTTE in their countries, it is difficult to the Sri Lankan government to combat terrorism in Sri Lanka. Ambassador has urged the Minister Schäuble to ban the fundraising by front organisations for the LTTE in Germany.

According to Dr. Schäuble’s ministry spokesman the German Government shares the concern of the Sri Lankan Government concerning the activities of the LTTE. In the fight against terrorism the Countries are pulling the line together, as the listing of the LTTE on the EU list makes clear as well.

On the question what is Dr. Schäuble’s stand point that the LTTE and its Front Organisations are active on German soil intimidating Tamils in Germany to collect funds using different methods to finance the terror activities in Sri Lanka, the ministry spokesman said the prosecution of crimes in Germany basically lies within the responsibility of the Federal Provinces and is perceived by them. It is not in accordance with the established practice of the Federal Government to express considerations of banning.
- Sri Lanka Guardian