|
|
Options before Sri Lanka
Tuesday, 15 August 2006 - 11:07 AM SL Time
|
|
|
SRI Lanka has been dangerously hurtling towards an all-out war between the government forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers. Which is why when the Lankan government yesterday went public rather enthusiastically with the LTTE offer to resume peace talks, it was welcomed with a collective sigh of relief.
The celebration proved short-lived though with the Tigers issuing a prompt warning that the dialogue with the government was out of question as long as the fighting in the country`s north and north-east did not stop.
The Tigers` argument is pertinent of course. But given its long history of the dangerously clever cat- and-mouse games with Colombo, the Lankan government would be forgiven for approaching any peace offer by the LTTE with scepticism, however desperate it might be for resolution of the Tamil question.
For in the past, every time the LTTE offered ? or pretended to offer ? olive branch to successive governments in Colombo, it only did so to buy itself more time to arm and regroup itself and replenish its supplies and resources. Every time the Tigers retreated in the past, they did so to come back with a vengeance, literally.
In the current round of fighting too ? in and around Mutur, a Muslim-majority town near the strategic military base of Trincomalee ? the LTTE finds itself in a bit of a spot.
Despite their clever attempts to involve and use civilians in its war with the security forces, which led to scores of Muslims getting killed and thousands fleeing the town, not to mention the enormous suffering of the Tamil minority, the Tigers have clearly lost this round of battle. Which is why they have come up with the latest peace talks offer.
This may be the right time for Sri Lanka`s leaders to deal resolutely with the LTTE and resolve the Tamil question once and for all. Right now, the LTTE finds itself at its most vulnerable. The international community, especially European peacemakers, has grown weary of the hide-and-seek games the Tigers have been playing with regard to the peace talks.
The continuing conflict and bloodshed are not only unhealthy for the relations between the Sinhala majority and Tamil and Muslim minorities, but they are a serious threat to the country`s collective future. It`s thanks to this never-ending conflict that the island nation, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, has not been able to exploit its immense tourism and economic potential. It`s time for Sri Lanka to choose between permanent peace and permanent war. The world is waiting.
|
|
|
Sandman
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1720
Member Profile
|
 15 Aug 2006 04:28:21 GMT Report for Abuse
|
This is a fairly accurate summation of a macro perspective. Nevertheless, the SLG needs to conclusively build a position of strength before dialogue if any meaningful outcomes are to be achieved. In the interim, it is only prudent to assume that the LTTE assassination squads will remain active and that needs to be considered as a continuation of war, dealt with overwhelming force and ruthless determination to hurt.
Sri lanka needs to discuss LTTE disarmament as fundamental to a lasting peace.
The Norwegians need to be made to understand the new game, and if they have difficulty understanding it, disband the anyway now defunct SLMM. |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:40:02 GMT Report for Abuse
|
The all mighty Terrorists never lost a battle. They have captured Trinco and marching towards COLOMBO. They have declared EELAM and have stopped asking for FOOD, EDUCATION and HEALTH CARE from the SL government.
This is what you want to believe
LOL
:)
Rest of us know how LTTE is loosing! |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:42:29 GMT Report for Abuse
|
From 1983 they were funding their own state...never been a PARASITES at all.
Funding their state? They dont have a state if they do they wont be fighting
Funding from waht? GOSL puts a whopping 2.1 billion ruppess for North and East.Why would LTTE cry if they were able to provide for its civilians recently that they are even out of essential goos like baby milk? GET REAL
GOSL pays for schools, medical, every public sector, public servants.
LTTE given Eelam will be NORTH KOREA! That is why no south asian country supports it. |
Freelancer
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1750
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:43:16 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Achcharu,
Again you did not read it carefully :) |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:43:45 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Sandman:
Sri lanka needs to discuss LTTE disarmament as fundamental to a lasting peace.
Absolutely correct
LEO:
Stop whinning. How was it that Tamilnet articles are not bias but Kaleej times are? |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:45:50 GMT Report for Abuse
|
FL:
Again you did not read it carefully :)
Funding their own state: Literally means supplies etc
Funding their own state: Through military to achieve it, then they did! |
kanthun
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2998
Member Profile
|
 15 Aug 2006 04:46:43 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| LOL.. Another yak has lost the plot.. achawhatever.. Leo the dum yak is on your side.. Too bad his idea of sarcasm is just plain stupid ;-) |
Freelancer
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1750
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:47:10 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Achcharau,
Leo was making fun about LTTe and supporters. He was not serious. |
Achcharu
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 961
Member Profile
|
15 Aug 2006 04:52:04 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Words from another tamil:
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/1556 |
|
Search All News and Discussions