LTTE tactics not known to outside world: JM will give legitimacy to group holding people under threat – Sangaree
Monday, June 20th, 2005Courtesy: The Island
TODAY’S TOP STORY
by Bandula Jayasekara
TULF leader V. Anandasangaree says the proposed joint mechanism the government is hoping to sign with the LTTE will give legitimacy to a group which is holding people under threat, for a period of time and it was clear that the government was trying to please the LTTE. He said, “It will legitimize the actions of the LTTE. Its obvious.” He said he wouldn’t mind if anybody is made the king of Jaffna, provided they agree to three conditions; they must stop conscription; they must stop killing people and allow democracy to flourish in the Tamil area.
In a ‘Hardline’ interview with TNL TV/YATV, with ‘The Island’ journalist Bandula Jayasekara, last night, the Democratic TULF leader also said that he was of the view that the international community is not fully aware of the ground situation in the areas affected by the tsunami. He said, “Probably everybody thinks that by only pleasing the LTTE they can find the solution to the problem. But the LTTE tactics are still not known to the outside world.”
The outspoken TULF leader said, that the international community should be guided by the Cushnahan’s Report on the last elections. That will give an answer to the claim by the LTTE that they are the sole representatives of the Tamil people, which they are not. They are fraudulently representing the Tamils as the sole representatives of the Tamils. The international community should know that. They are not aware of it. They should get the correct position and be briefed by a person like John Cushnahan, who headed the monitoring team that was monitoring the elections here, representing the European Union.
The TULF leader also said that as reported the joint mechanism will not help re-start the peace process. “You don’t start a peace process by conscripting children and killing rival groups. This will go against the entire procedure.
“Having lost all their democratic rights they don’t have any right. They can’t even cut a tree in their own compound.
Speaking on democracy in LTTE controlled areas, an angry TULF leader said, “You think that the people can talk like that? You think our people are so brave? To oppose an armed group? Have you forgotten how our leaders were killed? Do you know what is happening behind the iron curtain? That there is a torture camp, that there is a detention camp? You know what takes place? You know that children are still recruited to the army. There is an iron curtain behind Killinochchi, behind the A9. Did anyone dare and go behind that iron curtain and see what’s happening there?
Everyone is talking of peace and peace and peace, but they have their sympathy only for tsunami victims.
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TULF Leader Veerasingham Anandasangari was interviewed on
Sunday by Bandula Jayasekera for Hardline, produced by Young Asia Television.
(Continued from yesterday)
Q: But aren’t they keeping quiet? I know JHU have had two discussions but they are not commenting on it. They said you went and met them, but they haven’t commented on it.
A: First of all they must be convinced that this will be accepted by the LTTE also. You know, they won’t commit now. Unless people who have links with the LTTE convince them to agreeing on a solution like the Indian Pattern. You cannot ask anybody to comment.
Q: Do you think you can convince the LTTE?
A: If they don’t get convinced, you see, then it’s sad for the country. One thing is definite. I have told you separation is out of the question and giving more powers than the Indian states is also out of the question. It’s a very large country. Biggest democracy in the world. So we have a lot of things to learn from them. You know with a majority Hindu population they have a Muslim leader as the head of state. With the majority of their community two per cent is Sikh, and the Prime Minister is a Sikh.
What more do you want? A Catholic is heading the political party which is ruling India. This is the best democracy that you can ever think of. Well it is true but it has to be accepted by all parties.
I have discussed this matter with a number of people. I don’t want to mention names or parties. I have not met the person up to now who is opposed to my suggestion. If anyone wants a suggestion to this ethnic problem once and for all including the LTTE they must accept the best form. Of course there may be modifications in matters that are not controversial. India can’t afford to have a state which is enjoying more powers than the other states. Anyone will turn around and say that I had been paid by the Indian Government or I am acting as an Indian agent. That is all rubbish. India is interested in our country. But India will not allow this separation`85.
You know they have learnt a very bitter lesson. So they will not volunteer. Supposing we make a request they’ll certainly show interest.
Q: But what is India doing? They are keeping quiet. They also issue statements like other countries do. They are also not doing anything.
A: Without our asking from India, their coming will mean interference or intervention. We must make a request.
Q: No it could be done. Now take the peace process. There are the Japanese and others involved. They are educating people and have various initiatives. Why cant India also come out with initiatives like that?
A: There is no invitation to India. India had burned its fingers already. India was disgraced and chased out of the country, you remember the IPKF was virtually chased out. The government at that time armed the LTTE, financed the LTTE, gave enough ammunition and the peace keeping force faced a hostile army.
Q: But that’s the past. Things have changed. If we like it or not, there is a ceasefire agreement so there could be some peace initiative also from South Asia because you are speaking so much about India
A: I don’t think we can blame India for that. Now tell me who had sought India’s advice or intervention. Surely after the Tsunami they have done their best but in a political problem like this India will not interfere or no country will interfere. I have discussed a number of matters with various heads of diplomatic missions here for most things. They say “we are from outside, we can’t comment on these things. Tsunami or any calamity……..”
Q: But you’re considered as the democratic TULF leader, so is it due to that they are not taking your views seriously? I know you have called yourself a man of peace, but then maybe it’s not convincing enough for them.
A: I don’t think anybody can convince anybody more than me in this matter. I can come out with a number of examples. In any case I don’t think I can go beyond this in this matter. The ball is in their court now.
Q: Are you a threat to the LTTE?
A: I don’t know that. How can I be a threat to the LTTE. I am only an individual.
Q: Well it seems that LTTE considers you as a threat
A: That depends on how LTTE interprets the word threat.
Q: But you have been quite vociferous against them. You have campaigned against them as a democratic leader.
A: More than being a democratic leader I have a moral duty to my people. Do you know that I was the MP who represented Kilinochchi where LTTE has its headquarters. I lived with the people, I grew with the people, my heart feels for them. We are now living like slaves. People say that I am courageous and a democratic leader but more than all that they are my family. Kilinochchi electorate is like my family I am a family member of Kilinochchi. Call it Vanni but actually it’s Kilinochchi. I am the one who created the separate district for Kilinochchi, so I grew with the people, my heart really feels for them when I see them living like slaves. Having lost all their democratic rights they don’t have any right. They can’t even cut a tree in their own compound.
Q: But when you were an MP there what did you do? Did you find solutions to the problems?
A: Yes that is the biggest mistake we made. We tried to be too democratic, when the parliament’s term was extended by a referendum which we thought was illegal and unconventional. We were very foolish in keeping out of parliament and the government. At that time it was more foolish for bringing that amendment to the sixth amendment. So that kept us out of parliament for six years. So by that procedure the leadership of the Tamil issues was taken away from the moderators and given to the militants. Both the TULF and the government at that time should take the responsibility for this.
Q: Yes now you cannot deny that they have mass support. They are ruling these areas now.
A: Who has mass support, the LTTE?
Q: Don’t you think so?
A: You ask Cushnan, he will tell you
Q: Can’t the people in those areas revolt now after three years of peace? Can’t they ask more and to live peacefully?
A: You think that the people can talk like that? You think our people are so brave? To oppose an armed group? You have not forgotten how our leaders have been killed? Do you know what is happening behind the iron curtain? That there is a torture camp, that there is a detention camp? You know what takes place? You know that children are still recruited to the army. There is an iron curtain behind Killinochchi, behind the A9 did anyone dare and go behind that iron curtain and see what’s happening there? Everyone is talking of peace and peace and peace, they have their sympathy only for Tsunami victims
Q: Have you tried to go behind the iron curtain ?
A: I have been trying it, it has been my job for the last one and a half years. I had been doing that. How can I go to the iron curtain? Do you know what happened to the Sri Lankan Tamil who is a British citizen, a man who had been contributing very liberally to the LTTE? He was summoned for consultation and detained for 62 days. Fortunately for him he happened to be a British citizen the British government intervened and got him out.
Q: There must be some way to break through, since all want peace. Be it Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims, so people cannot hold on for long behind iron curtains
A: That’s what I’m saying. The only way now available is the international community pressure. The international community should pressure the LTTE to do certain things. That pressure is not there. I told you everybody is only interested in distributing the Tsunami aid, but no one is worried about the people who have been living under subjugation for years and the CFA had legitimized the subjugation.
Q: We can use this because everybody suffered after Tsunami. So what happens if the President wants to use this as an entry point and restart peace talks. Don’t you think this is the time for her?
A: If this is the time for her the advice should come from the Tamils first. You only had the impact but the Tamils are the people who face this daily. I mean the Tamils and Sinhalese in the Northeast. This problem cannot be solved only by joint mechanism or ISGA. The international community is now keenly watching the situation.
I have appealed to the international community to interfere. They know what is happening and I am making use of this opportunity to appeal to the LTTE - please forget about the past, come down take this very seriously, with the supervision of the international community the government can’t just play the fool. I don’t think we’ll get a better chance in finding a permanent solution to our problems. Nobody’s trying to find the final solution. Everybody’s interest is distributing the Tsunami aid six months after the tsunami…what is this you are going to distribute?
Q: It is not distribution. It’s really for rebuilding efforts
A: Simple why do you want the joint mechanism. I told Mr. Akashi also. Now I saw an advertisement recently in the papers, this task force for rehabilitation and something. It says who had been identified, which schools should be relocated and built, which schools should be completely rebuilt, which schools should be repaired. The name of the schools is given.
We budget, call for tenders and release the money. The respective GA will get that done. Why do you want a mechanism for this? You think that few people forming the joint mechanism can do more work than the present setup of GAs, additional GAs, local bodies and that.
Q: Many feel that the TULF is a spent force. How could you try to revive and give voice to the Tamil people?
A: Now you were at the Maldivian seminar. They are dedicated. If you say that the others are a spent force, that can apply to us. Also we are not a spent force - we are living under subjugation, under suppression. Please correct it. We are not a spent force, otherwise I can’t survive, but the people who are opposed to my views will go on saying that why these 22 MPs go around saying that they are the salt of the people and they are the sole representatives of the LTTE. We are not a spent force. Our people are living under subjugation. No freedom or speech or writing, no media the Tamil media that we have are not fair by the people, they’re all just blowing the trumpet of the LTTE. They have all become agents, all electronic and print media.
Q: Have you tried to explain it to them?
A: This is one way of doing it. I have given hundreds of interviews like this. You want me to call people one by one and explain to them?
Q: Maybe you’re putting the wrong message across
A: This is my capacity; I don’t think I can go beyond that.
Q: You think they will get a chance - the people?
A: I told you the best chance is developing now with the international community intervention. The international community must help tell the LTTE through the Norwegians. I am not angry with the Norwegians. I feel sorry for them. 2600 CFA violations which means the Norwegians have been insulted 2600 times. Don’t you think so in spite of all that they are still involved in the process? It’s a matter to be admired. So I tell the international community through the Norwegians, tell the LTTE to come out, make a reasonable and acceptable solution, make some suggestions. If you are not happy with the India pattern, go for some other pattern. Don’t just hang on to this ISGA and the joint mechanism.
Q: Do you think that this has to be reworked?
A: First of all LTTE must be told to do politics. You know they were allowed to come into the governmental area in batches. First 50 to do politics without weapons, but weapons had come to Colombo also. How is it that these things are taking place? CFA provided for the LTTE to come in batches, 50 first, 100 second of course unarmed. They have violated that number of times there have been 2600 violations means its a matter for serious consideration whether the CFA would continue or should be honored further. I suggest a fresh agreement should be signed.
Q: But there has to be unity among the parties - the PA and the UNP because one party will say something, another will say another thing.
A: I will use this opportunity to appeal to the Sinhala community. Some say the Sinhala Buddhists are affected by this joint mechanism. I don’t agree with that. Nobody is affected more than the Tamils, and the Sinhalese community has a moral obligation to save their Tamil brethren from this subjugation of the LTTE.
All of you must forget your differences and come forward to find a permanent solution that will liberate the Tamils from the LTTE. While you’re fighting they are only strengthening their hands. The LTTE sees this is the type of canvassing - they are not even allowing joint mechanism. You think that they will ever solve our problem? So I appeal to the Buddhists who are fasting.
Q: But you are opposed to the joint mechanism?
A: The joint mechanism is not the way - that’s a different thing. This is what the LTTE is saying. They are opposed to the joint mechanism. Will the Sinhalese ever give us our rights. The Sinhalese should get together and say we are prepared to treat the Tamils as our brethren. Here is the solution we are putting forward whether it’s the JVP or JHU, or SLFP or any party.
All must get together and liberate the Tamils. This joint mechanism is not your concern. You are only feeling the impact of the war. We have lost everything.
I left home with my lawyers’ certificate. When I applied for compensation, the government was recommending only one lakh, so I asked whether I had only one lakh worth of property as a lawyer and Member of Parliament, only one lakh worth of furniture, anyway that is not an issue. I’m just telling we lost - I lost everything.
Q: But how do you think now the Muslim factor comes in.
A: Muslims, I am sorry for the Muslims. They were driven out - they had to leave behind all their lifetime savings you see and they were driven out. That is why I am opposing the ISGA. I wrote a letter to Prabhakaran having driven out the Muslims out of Jaffna after living together as brothers for years, having driven them out, now you think the Muslims and the Sinhalese in the eastern province would agree to the ISGA to be ruled by the LTTE? LTTE was majority in the ISGA. I am the one who has said that. So let the Sinhalese people for a moment. I am making an appeal to the university students also all of you get together and find a permanent solution you see so that all can live as equals do say that you need more rights than me. I don’t think you’ll advocate that. Let us all share our land, share our rights and enjoy equal rights. if all these people get together those who are going on demonstrations whether JVP or JHU, or university students or UNP or PA or anybody get together take my word, you are only feeling the impact of the war an that you are not directly affected by it, of course you are indirectly affected by it. Large amount of money for warrant tickets but the people who have lost their personal belongings are the North and east Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims, so all of you get together and find a solution the Indian pattern of devolution will be acceptable to us likewise all the leaders whom I have met agree with me that it will be a reasonable solution to our problem. We can find a solution within two weeks you see. Give me the responsibility let all of you say that all of you are prepared to accept the Indian federal devolution and within two weeks I will find a solution to the problem.
Q: You went on a European tour and you were very critical to the LTTE. What was the reaction of the diaspora?
A: I am not interested in campaigning against the LTTE you see I am interested in saving my people. Tamil people and the other - I am referring to the people of Kilinochchi whom I represent they love me, I love them the place where I was born “breathe there a man with a soul so dead who never knew himself that this is my own native land” that’s where my native land is. I feel for my land I feel for my people with whom I live and grew I was campaigning like that but not to do any damage to the LTTE. So far no one had found fault with me for my stand only find fault with me for taking a risk you see so the risk I take is nothing compared to love and affection I have for the people and the land where I lived and grew.
Q: Do you think the Muslims should participate in the peace process as equal?
A: Yes what are you telling they’re human beings no? You can’t treat the Muslims as separate, their human beings they’re part and parcel of this country. They must have an equal share if you ask me.
Q: In the peace negotiations? You fully support it?
A: If you ask me we were affected by the operation of the law. They were affected due to dictatorial steps taken by the LTTE. They were chased out of Jaffna. What for? For what reason? If you ask me they’re the most grieved people.
Q: And even in Tsunami they were affected more
A: They say 1% of their population died
Q: So you fully support that Muslim participation?
A: Of course it’s not a matter of debate. On their own they should have done that.
Q: But now do you think there is an acceptance by other parties?
A: It’s like this though you are feeling hungry and you also are feeling hungry. You can’t get half belly full and double the belly or full belly let it be there. We’ll assume that way. Their needs and their problems are just the same as ours whether they are Sinhala Muslims or Tamils.
Tell me soon after the tsunami what happened? People were starving virtually, I know Sinhalese ladies had carried food parcels and walked 7miles and distributed them to the Muslims and Tamils. What for? What was inside them? The feeling! The human feeling `85 problem the human feeling we are saying you are a Muslim. You are a Sinhalese, you are LTTE, and you are UNP like that. The country has faced a calamity. The tsunami didn’t separate the Sinhalese, and kill the Muslims or the Tamils. When the Tsunami came.
Q: Tsunami rallied the whole country, but why couldn’t we take it from there? Now after 6 months?
A: Exactly what I asked, exactly what I asked, exactly what I asked.
Q: But senior leaders like you all, can’t you’ll do a bit more of campaigning?
A: I have done my duty at a great risk you see and earning the displeasure of some people. Everybody is reluctant for some reason or the other. But everyone sees reason; I think they are silenced, under some threat.
Q: Yes but still even the civil society you said this ladies walking 7 miles. But everybody sort of got together, irrespective of being Sinhalese Muslim or Tamil. Then the human kindness came out. And still let there be politicians but civil society. So can’t the civil society moved forward after which they are trying . . .
A: You know there is a proverb, you see, when the house is burning, you go to light a cigarette in the fire LTTE is trying to do that. You know there was an incident in Kulanthanni or somewhere, there were refugees, all Tamils and one army officer had taken the trouble to cook meals took it to be delivered to the refugees out of human feelings. Now those are human feelings. What happened? They were chased away. The next day, the refugee camp was burnt down and the blame was put on the poor army officer. These are the things that are happening you see. If you can read in between these lines. You can find out who is interested in what. All these clamoring for this Joint Mechanism is not out of feeling for the people.
The day after the tsunami, I said open the doors for anyone to get into any area, and look after the refugees they have not done that. They had opened doors to a limited area, after about 2-3 days only. (End)
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