The Hindu : Front Page : Respond to Rajapaksa’s offer, State government tells Tigers

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Front Page

Respond to Rajapaksa’s offer, State government tells Tigers

Special Correspondent

“Attempts could be made for a federal structure providing peaceful political space to Tamils”
“If LTTE cannot intervene directly, other Tamil groups could strive for such a settlement”

K. Anbazhagan

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government on Friday urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to respond to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s announcement of a 48-hour “ceasefire” to release civilians in the war zone.

Participating in a discussion on the Sri Lankan situation in the Assembly, Finance Minister and Leader of the House K. Anbazhagan said: “In the matter of protecting [Sri Lankan] Tamils, even after the intervention of the Indian government and the statement of the Sri Lankan President, there has not been a single response from the LTTE members.”

Reminding the LTTE that the United Nations and the International Committee of Red Cross had welcomed the announcement of halt to military operations, he said: “The other side should be helpful… Using this [opportunity], it should declare that it is ready to end hostilities. At least, it should say it will end its offensive if the Sri Lankan government announces a ceasefire. So, let us strive for furthering goodwill amongst all. The protection of Eelam Tamils is the sole objective of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.”

Responding to the observations of V. Sivapunniyam (Communist Party of India) and G.K.Mani (Pattali Makkal Katchi) on the issue, Mr. Anbazhagan described the mission of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Sri Lanka as the “first step.” He was calling it so because the situation in the island nation did not favour quick movements. In the State, politicians could make rapid movements, “as we are all making speeches keeping elections in mind.”

Recalling the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord signed in 1987, Mr. Anbazhagan said that even if devolution of powers was not possible, attempts could be made for a federal structure, providing a “relatively secure and peaceful political space” to Tamils. If the LTTE could not intervene in this matter directly, other Tamil groups, using the present opportunity, could strive for such a settlement.

The Finance Minister argued that the yardstick applied to a war between nations could not be applied in the case of Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka was of the view that it was putting down the LTTE as the organisation was engaged in terrorism.

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