The Hindu : New Delhi News : Advani for political settlement of Sri Lankan Tamils issue

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Advani for political settlement of Sri Lankan Tamils issue

J. Venkatesan

Photo: V. Sudershan

EXPRESSING SOLIDARITY: BJP leader L. K. Advani addressing the fast by members of the MDMK against the killing of Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army, in New Delhi on Friday. MDMK general secretary Vaiko is in the picture —

NEW DELHI: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Friday called for a political settlement to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and said there could not be a military solution.

Addressing Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) workers observing a day-long fast near Jantar Mantar in support of the Sri Lankan cause, Mr. Advani said: “It is an issue, which is of concern not only for Tamils in Tamil Nadu, but for every single Indian. I urge all citizens of the country to be associated with the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils.”

Charge against UPA

Accusing the Congress-led UPA of being insensitive to the Sri Lankan Tamils’ problem, Mr. Advani asked the Sri Lankan government to resolve the ethnic conflict by “devolving powers” to areas where Tamils constituted a majority. The Bharatiya Janata Party wanted the issue to be resolved through negotiated political settlement and not by brutal force.

Mr. Vaiko, who spoke at the end of the fast, described the Sri Lankan Tamils issue as a basic human problem and said that India should not hesitate to intervene to put an end to the hostilities in the island nation and protect innocent Tamils.

Addressing a press conference, MPs belonging to the PMK welcomed President Pratibha Patil’s address to Parliament on Thursday, in which she had called for a negotiated settlement to the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

Speaking on behalf of the party, Prof. Ramadoss said that India should call upon Sri Lanka to unilaterally call for a ceasefire and work for a negotiated settlement. Food, clothing and medicines must be distributed to the affected people through a United Nations agency.

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