The Hindu : National : LTTE raising new conditions, says Sri Lankan Minister

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Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

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National

LTTE raising new conditions, says Sri Lankan Minister

By Our Special Correspondent

— Photo: R. Ragu

Jeyaraj Fernandopulle

CHENNAI, SEPT. 29. The Sri Lankan Minister for Trade, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, said today that the Government would not start a war "all over again" with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) despite the current problems in the peace process.

"The LTTE is putting forward new conditions," he said in an interaction at The Hindu here. The Minister categorically stated that the Sri Lankan Government did not have anything to do with the breakaway faction of the LTTE or with Col. Karuna. "Why would we do it [provide support for Karuna] knowing fully well that it will be an obstacle to the peace process?" he said. The peace process was very important to the Sri Lankan Government and its people since they had "no idea of fighting again."

"We are interested in peace. But their [LTTE's] idea is something else," he said and added that the LTTE wanted the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA) to come into existence at an early date.

They were prepared to negotiate only on this and not on the final solution.

LTTE's grand plan

But everyone knew the LTTE's game plan on this account. Once the ISGA came into being the LTTE would have control over more areas in the north and the east and the LTTE wanted this. The Sri Lankan Government was of the view that ISGA could not be treated as a separate or only issue for the negotiations.

Mr. Fernandopulle criticised the meeting that the LTTE convened in Geneva to discuss the peace process with non-resident Sri Lankan Tamils. In his view, the Tamils abroad were more of a hindrance to the peace process since they would be affected once real peace dawned in Sri Lanka. "Then they will have to come back. They will lose their refugee status," he said and added that the LTTE should rather talk to the people in the north and the east of the country and find out from them what they wanted.

Political dissent

Asked for his comment on the recent political killings in Sri Lanka, Mr. Fernandopulle said this was a clear indication that the LTTE would not allow any space for political dissent or for another party.

The Government was helpless in putting an end to the militant elements carrying arms since it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding which limited the powers of the executive.

On the proposed Sethusamudram canal project, he said both countries should talk first before deciding on deepening the canal.

Though there was no formal communication from the Indian Government, it had come up for a discussion in the Sri Lankan Cabinet.

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