Mr.P.Nadesan, the Political Bureu Chief of LTTE is a long time member of the Liberation Tigers Movement and one who has participated on behalf of the Tamils in the peace talks with the Sri Lankan Government. He is also the person who organized the Tamil Elam Police Force and functioned as its chief until 2007 November. The co-editor of Nilavaram, Mr.Shan Thavarajah, recently interviewed mr.Nadesan the Political Bureau Chief. An English translate of the interview sent to Sri Lanka Guardian by Editorial of the Nilavaram.Interviewed by Shan Thavarajah
(December 20, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Q. The siege on Kilinochchi has tightened. The Singhalese have sworn to capture Kilinochchi. In this context, the Liberation Tigers say they would save Kilinochchi at all costs. How is the real situation at the war fronts?
A. Two Regiments of the special divisions are engaged in the onslaught to capture Kilinochchi. Because of this, war is going on daily in many fronts on the west of Kilinochchi. The Tigers are fighting the Singhalese Army with courage, to foil their efforts. The Singhalese Generals though gave so far two ultimatum to capture Kilinochchi , have not won yet. The Singhalese Army is facing heavy loss of lives in their fight for Kilinochchi. Tigers are using new strategies and techniques in their war to protect Kilinochchi.
Q. As the war gains in intensity, the agonies of the internally displaced people have increased to serious levels. The Government while asking them to come over to Vavuniya, carries a propaganda war against the LTTE, as preventing the people to move into Vavuniya and is responsible for the displaced people not moving into Vavuniya.
A. When the Singhalese Army invades, it is usual for the people to move into the areas under the control of the Tigers and seek protection. The same thing is happening now. The care the Singhalese Government shows to the Tamil people is like the story of the wolf caring the sheep. The Singhalese Government is calling the people to its area with plans for racial annihilation and social degradation, thereby to destroy the freedom struggle. People want to live in the areas under the control of the LTTE, no matter how many times be it. People on their own refuse such requests by the Government.
Q. With the war intensified, expectations of peace talks have gone beyond one’s reach. At the same time, there are news of some elements with blessings of some of the western countries are trying some political moves with out LTTE participation. What do you think about this?
A. Some forces like to enjoy a cruel feeling of separating the LTTE from the Tamil people. All that can only be sheer fancy. The main leadership of the Tamils is the LTTE and the Tamils nave proven this through many election processes. It is ridiculous for some anti Tamil National personals to imagine as the Leaders of the Tamils. LTTE is not prepared to pay any attention to such persons.
Q. Sri Lankan Government is continually committing war crimes. Even recently, it has bombed the camps of the internally displaced persons. What is the reason the international community is still taking the side of the Singhalese in spite of all these injustice?
A. Some countries are helping the Singhalese Government in its Genocide of the Tamil people, as we all now know. The Tamil people are worried and angry over these countries, which help the Sri Lankan Government to carry on its war of Genocide against all norms of justice, fairness and dignity. This is due to believing the false propagandas against our freedom struggle and the LTTE by the Singhalese Government as true. and acting one sided. We have repeatedly requested world governments about this. Some countries have listened to us and stopped Military assistance to the Sri Lankan Government. However, some countries have fallen prey to the Singhalese Government’s manipulations and help it in the Genocide War of the Tamils.
Q. National Leader in his National Heroes’ Day speech said,” The Dreams of the Singhalese of military victories will definitely be wiped out “. What does it mean?
A. The dream of a military win of the Singhalese is its inborn quality. It is a fact that after a military win, to float in that dream and then to wake up with a military defeat, has been its experience. Now again, it is in the midst of such a dream. We will give the right reply at the right time to its military stubbornness.
Q. The recent popular resurgence of the Tamils of Tamil Nadu is very encouraging. How the new trends you think, will accelerate the liberation of the Tamils?
A. The support of the Tamil Nadu Tamils is a very important factor for the Elam Tamils struggle for freedom. The feeling that we are not alone, and the world Tamil community is behind us can give us a new impetus and encouragement. The racial consciousness of the Tamil Nadu Tamils has raised fears among the Singhalese. The feelings of Tamil Nadu Tamils can help in drawing the world political opinion towards our side. The all-party resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly has to be viewed as recognition of our fight for liberation.
Q. It appears that the LTTE is more interested in establishing good relationship with India. At the same time, some comment this as a sign of weakness how?
A. The relationship between the Elam Tamils and India is a Historical one. In between, this was severed by the machinations of the Singhalese. External forces are again building up on both sides towards the restoration of the relationship. The Singhalese racists do not wish to see this, so they feel satisfied by demeaning these efforts.
Q. The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai have caused some changes in its political atmosphere. More repercussions expected in the future. How do these changes will affect the Tamil National struggle for freedom, do you expect in the new changed atmosphere?
A. We strongly condemn the bomb attacks in Mumbai. It is an attempt to disrupt the security of India. The Indian Intelligence Agencies have identified the persons and the Governments behind these bomb attacks as proof of some enemy nations having their hands in it. Sri Lankan Government maintains relationship with these enemy nations, and the Indian Diplomats are well aware of that. The Tamil Nation is fighting against a war of Genocide. This is a liberation struggle of the oppressed and the suppressed people, who have been for ages subjugated. It is a historical fact that such struggles are normal. In Tamil Elam our fight is for the welfare of the Tamil Elam people.
Q. What are the damages the recent heavy floods in Wanni have created?, and what is the condition of the people affected by it ?
A. This time the floods have almost created damages comparable to that of the Tsunami. The situation is far more serious in Wann. Many of them displaced from their homes already. Approximately 80 % of the people in Wanni, are affected by the floods. The Singhalese Government has not allowed any distress assistance to these people. The floods have subsided, but our movement has to provide assistance to relieve the distressed, while at the same time fighting the war forced on us. It is only our units engaged in the relief activities.
Q. The Government says that food convoys go to Wanni regularly. However, according to news we get, people are facing death out of starvation. Is there enough foodstuffs in fact ? Have the items collected and sent by Tamil Nadu arrived there ?
A. The Government is strictly enforcing an economic embargo preventing the flow of food, medicines, including agricultural and fishing materials. As a result, there is a severe scarcity for food, fuel,and medicines .As the Singhalese Government has expelled world aid agencies, the pressure has increased. The Singhalese Government neither sends nor allows world aid agencies to send. A part of the Tamil Nadu aid items have arrived. Now there is a very serious food shortage in Wanni. There is a possibility of the conditions worsening still further.
Q. One can observe a depressive mood prevailing among the people here concerning the conditions prevailing in Tamil Elam. What would you like to tell to such people?
A. Depression is a feeling rooted from distrust. Distrust comes from not analyzing the conditions properly. It is true there is a military pressure in our motherland. Nevertheless, it is not correct to believe that we cannot overcome this. We have faced far more great pressures in the past and have overcome all. We will break the present obstacle and win. People living overseas should continue their support to the war more enthusiastically, as usual. Your financial support is in fact our backbone. In the international scene, you do your propaganda work more effectively. Very soon, we can enjoy the victory.
Q. In what way do you expect the people overseas can provide help to reduce the burdens of the Internally displaced people of Wanni ?
A. Our main task now is to build houses and to provide food and medicines. Health care of pregnant women and infants is also a paramount need. To do this, large sums of money is required .This can only be provided by our people overseas. Already you are doing these things. Your relatives in motherland expect you to continue with more vigor. - Sri Lanka Guardian
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