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LTTE links with al-Qaeda would worry US
Thursday, 3 November 2005 - 3:41 AM SL Time
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The United States yesterday said they would be concerned about links between the LTTE and al-Qaeda ? or any other terrorist group ? after the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) revealed that the Tigers may have `possible` connections with Osama bin Laden`s radical outfit.
Released on October 25, the IISS` latest publication Military Balance 2005-2006 lists the LTTE as a non-state armed group, adding that it carries out suicide attacks and has a `possible al-Qaeda link`.
`Obviously, we would be concerned about links between the LTTE and al-Qaeda or any other terrorist group,` said Philip Frayne, spokesman for the US Embassy in Colombo. `Any link would concern us.`
He observed, however, that the report has spoken only of a `possible link`.
IISS notes in its latest publication that: `The LTTE is the only insurgent group with an army, navy and an infant air force.` It also states that, despite reports to the contrary, the tsunami does not appear to have had a major long-term impact on the LTTE`s military strength and capabilities.
According to local media reports last week, the IISS was one of the first ? if not the first ? international institute to state categorically that the LTTE possessed aircraft. A foreign ministry source commented yesterday that the issue of LTTE air capacity became even more significant in the light of the IISS` suggestion that the group may have some association with al-Qaeda.
`I don`t know why nobody is talking about it or taking the LTTE to task over this question,` he said. `The LTTE having air capacity has serious regional implications. It is against the very spirit and letter of the cease-fire agreement.`
According to air force intelligence, the LTTE has now added other facilities around its airstrip in Iranamadu. These include hangars or shelters. `Our intelligence indicates the presence of at least two small aircraft,` a senior officer said.
`It would be very easy for them to use such planes to transport explosives and come down on VIP locations or other strategic installations.`
`As far as we are concerned, and as far as international law is concerned, there can only be one air force in Sri Lanka,` he added. `This must be tackled at the highest levels but we are keeping a close eye on developments.`
According to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, the Tigers have `not denied` the existence of an airstrip, if not aircraft.
Asked for comment, Frayne said: `The existence of an airstrip and aircraft would clearly be of concern` and insisted that the LTTE should permit the SLMM to visit the facility.
`We won`t speculate on what the LTTE intends to do with its airstrip,` he asserted. `The SLMM has asked to visit the airstrip, as they have a right to do under the CFA (cease-fire agreement). The LTTE should accede to this request.`
Helen Olafsdottir, SLMM spokesperson, said the mission had not made headway in gaining access to the airstrip. `The LTTE, for some reason, is still denying us this access,` she observed. `We have repeatedly taken this up but to no avail. The issue of the airstrip remains unresolved.`
According to Olafsdottir, the government has said it was a violation of the cease-fire agreement. The LTTE counters that it is `a question of military balance`.
`They do not deny its existence,` Olafsdottir said. `We know it`s there. What the SLMM has said without making a ruling is that the LTTE cannot use any air capabilities because they would be going into government-controlled airspace. Only the government of Sri Lanka, as a sovereign state and according to international law, has the right to give licence to planes and flight path.`
`So, it would be breaking international law as well as Sri Lanka`s laws if the LTTE were airborne.`
Asked about the LTTE`s possession of aircraft, Olafsdottir replied: `There are reports but because we don`t have access we cannot confirm them. We can`t, therefore, start making rulings about a patch of land - that we have not seen.`
`The issue is a much bigger one and has to be resolved jointly between the LTTE and government because the essence here is that they don`t agree on what is and is not allowed under the cease-fire agreement,` she continued. `We are here to monitor a cease-fire. The two sides don`t agree on the implications of the airstrip or even its relationship to the cease-fire agreement.`
Olafsdottir stressed, however, that the LTTE was clearly violating the cease-fire agreement by not granting the SLMM access to the airstrip. `We find it frustrating,` she emphasised. `They are not cooperating with the SLMM. We are not arguing about what constitutes military balance. What we want is access to the airstrip.`
The IISS quotes the Sri Lankan government as alleging in late 2004 that the LTTE was in violation of the cease-fire agreement by operating a light aircraft on a 1.2 km airstrip at Iranamadu, near Vavuniya. `The LTTE air wing reportedly possesses a single light aircraft, possibly similar to the Czech-buit Zlin Z-143, at least one Robinson helicopter, and a dozen microlites, causing unease in Colombo,` it states.
`However, the LTTE maintains that it acquired its air capability before the 2002 cease-fire and is, therefore, not obliged to dismantle it,` it continues.
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Source(s)
• Namini Wijedasa
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kiwikanga
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Joined: Nov 2005
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 3 Nov 2005 03:45:04 GMT Report for Abuse
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| What nonsence! The USA would have poked it's finger into the affairs of SL if there was oil in SL whether or not there is a link with Al-Qeda. As what SL has is only coconut oil the USA is not bothered. They say the stuff is full of cholesterol another lie and they try selling their palm oil instead. It's somebodies immagination run riot that they see a link with Al-Qeda and the LTTE. Bush and his henchman in the White house are currently busy trying to to cover up their a**** due to mounting controversy over many issues specially the number of US marines who are getting killed in Iraq just for Bush's craving to control the world oil industry. SL is an insignificant country in the eyes of the US and they are just not bothered whatever happens in SL. |
Vishnu
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3 Nov 2005 06:42:16 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Long live CFA. Who ever signed it can now supply some loose wind for the tigers to lift the planes. Ohoma Yan... Ohoma Yan... |
ajan
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 3 Nov 2005 10:55:28 GMT Report for Abuse
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Why would LTTE link with this al Qaeda? to turn all LTTE cardet as Muslims and make them pray 5 times a day? or their womens cardet to wear face masks?
LTTE are freedom fighters have full backings of tamil people. and dont need anyones help. LTTE is not radical they are modern and accept all religion lanquage and would like to maintain tamil culture. america is fully aware of LTTE and their strugles. and they are aware of srilankan government and their motives. what srilankan government is doing is just to make some connection
between LTTE and Al Q and then get the international community (US ad EU) to do their job for them. it will not help reconcile between communities (tamil and singhalese)
america would use any informal invitation to come to the house to rob.
it will take another decade for dumb singhalese to realise that.
( Srilankan government invited india( army) into the country to finish LTTE ( they (SL Gov) thought in this war LTTE will die and Indian army none of srilankan soldiers. later realised the motives of indians ( they were there to stay forever (basically to takeover srilanka)) then they contacted LTTE and gave wepons to LTTE to kick the indian army out. LTTE want indian army out ( it is like to eat suger cane government paying me wages) so they took the offer. |
kandappa
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 3 Nov 2005 19:36:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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These CIA fellows are misleading everyone and trying to divert their main problem. First of all LTTE is not a terroist organization. We are an Organization to fight for the legitimate rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. There is no need for us to affiliate to any other organization. Of course we will seek the training facilities as we did with PLO or for that matter with anyone EVEN FROM YASIRU IF NECESSARY ONLY. We are now self sufficient and capable of proving training to EVEN Sri Lankan forces. THE ACTUAL TERRORISTS ARE THOSE WHO WENT by bus loads FROM TOWN TO TOWN SEARCHING AND DESTROYING innocent Tamil people and their property.
America could not handle the harricane victims properly. They are fully aware as to how we handled the tsunami disaster. It appears that they have still not learnt the correct lesson of their actions. The loss of American lives in Saddam hunt is now passed 25,000!. Pathetic, why should they go and die fighting for WHAT?. MISCALCULATION!
Edited By - kandappa - 4 Nov 2005 22:58:31 GMT |
Bonggo
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 3 Nov 2005 22:32:13 GMT Report for Abuse
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Ajan: If US has an interest in some place first they will say Al Qaeda is there. It seems that they are zeroing in LTTE.
Also it seems that the US is really worried about who killed former President of Lebanon Rafik Hariri and sending a team to syria to investigate. Why oh why didnt they send a team to investigate the killings of Rajiv Gandhi and R. Premadasa?
When they have the interest they will come, such as trying Saddam for crimes committed in 1981-1982. Is it the LTTE's turn now? we have to wait and see. |
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