Front Page

Front Page

LTTE operatives hunting for Russian missiles in Laos
Attempts by Tiger guerrillas to acquire sophisticated surface-to-air missiles and other military items from Russia last month have come to light. Their efforts have been laid bare by the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mikhail G. Karpov, in a 'Non-Paper' he handed over to the Foreign Ministry in Colombo this week.

In diplomatic parlance, a 'Non-Paper' is a document that does not reflect the official position of a government but is the basis for further dialogue between them and the host country.

In this Non-Paper, The Sunday Times learns, Ambassador Karpov has said two Sri Lankan citizens, found to be members of the LTTE in Laos had approached the representative of the Russian state organisation Rosboronoexport to procure small arms, anti-aircraft missile complex "IGLA", communication means and other types of military equipment.

He has said the Russian authorities have brought this to the attention of the Interior Ministry in Laos.

See Situation Report by Iqbal Athas for an exclusive account of the details.

Back to Front Page