The Hindu : Front Page : ‘Pranab has appropriately discussed Tamils issue’

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Front Page

‘Pranab has appropriately discussed Tamils issue’

T. Ramakrishnan

DMK government defends Mukherjee mission to Sri Lanka

Politicians can speak as they like: Anbazhagan
“Those in power can state their position only discreetly”

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government on Thursday defended External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee for having “appropriately discussed” the Sri Lankan Tamils issue with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Articulating the government’s position during zero hour in the Assembly, K. Anbazhagan, Finance Minister and Leader of the House, said politicians, while explaining the stand of their parties, could speak as they liked. “Going beyond the level of politicians, while in power, we can only in a restrained manner discuss with a foreign country an issue that is a matter of internal affairs of that country, though we have concerns [for the Tamils]. Only in a discreet manner, we can emphasise [our position]. In this context, it is possible to conclude that Pranab Mukherjee has appropriately discussed the issue of protecting the Tamils from undergoing brutalities.”

Earlier, Pattali Makkal Katchi’s whip T. Velmurugan wanted the government to spell out its position in the wake of the Minister’s visit to the island-nation. (Some political parties in the State including the MDMK and the PMK have criticised Mr. Mukherjee’s trip.)

Reading out the statement of the External Affairs Minister on the discussion with the Sri Lankan President, Mr. Anbazhagan noted that Mr. Rajapaksa had assured Mr. Mukherjee that there would be no aerial attacks on Tamil settlements.

Pointing out that the House had a right to know the factual position on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, the Minister referred to divergent views prevalent among members of the House. While one section wanted extradition of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader Prabakaran, another was of the view that the Tamils could be protected through him only. But, the central message was that there should be a halt to the killing of the Tamils.

Mr. Anbazhagan recalled the conversation Mr. Mukherjee had with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on the phone before going to Sri Lanka. Referring to the resolutions adopted by the House in December 2006, April 2008 and November 2008, Mr. Anbazhagan said their essence was that the killing of the Tamils should end and that there must be a ceasefire. CPI members staged a walkout.

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