The LTTE's offer not to disturb the summit of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) first came last Sunday.
In an interview with their Political Wing leader, P. Nadesan, an English Sunday weekly asked whether the Tiger guerrillas were carrying out a campaign to destabilise the south to prevent the SAARC summit taking place. "We are not naïve to disturb the SAARC conference. We believe that the other countries of SAARC group will support us in our just struggle for the Tamil people," he replied.
Tamil newspapers, both in Colombo and Jaffna, were keen to reproduce highlights of this interview in their editions last Monday. For them, the most important issue was whether the period during the conference that begins today would be free of any violent attacks by Tiger guerrillas. To be sure, that Mr. Nadesan's remarks were indeed the official position of the LTTE, most of them telephoned him in Kilinochchi. At first, he was reluctant to speak out. He said he would call them back.
It was late on Monday evening when he kept his promise. He told the Tamil media representatives that there would be a formal LTTE response relating to the SAARC summit later that day. He requested them not to translate and publish excerpts from the Sunday newspaper interview. However, there was something, which Mr. Nadesan did not tell them.
Throughout Monday, the guerrilla leadership in the Wanni were busy. Satellite telephones were used from there to speak to other world capitals. That was not only to consult senior cadres operating abroad but other important channels. There were top cadres reporting to the Wanni leadership on the concerns and even suggestions from some countries.
The result of all this emerged exactly when midnight signalled the dawn of Tuesday (July 22). The LTTE issued a statement offering a ten-day unilateral ceasefire effective from yesterday (July 26). This is what it said:
"On behalf of the people of Tamil Eelam, we extend our sincere good wishes to the fifteenth conference of SAARC that aims to improve the economic development of the vast South Asian region and to create a new world order based on justice, equality and peace.
"For sixty years, the Sinhala leadership is continuing to refuse to put forward a just solution to the national question of the Tamil people. The Sinhala nation is not prepared to deal justice to the Tamils. The politics of the Sinhala nation has today taken the form of a monstrous war. Because the chauvinistic Sinhala regime is putting its trust in a military solution, the war is spreading and is turning more and more intense. The Sinhala nation is intent on occupying and enslaving the Tamil homeland. Our military is only involved in a war of self-defence against this war of the Sinhala nation.
"Behind the smokescreen of war, the Sinhala regime is heaping misery on the Tamil people and is killing them in large numbers. The brutal truth of the gradual destruction and oppression of the Tamil people is being blacked out. The just struggle of the Tamil people is being hidden behind an iron curtain in the name of news censorship. A false propaganda is being spread to tarnish the freedom movement of the Tamil people and the path it was adopted for itself. This has resulted in misleading views and incorrect opinions about our freedom struggle. We are deeply saddened by this.
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| Tight security will be in force as the conference of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) gets underway in Colombo today. For two days the Programme Committee will meet, followed by Foreign Secretaries and thereafter, the Foreign Ministers. The summit of SAARC leaders will be held on August 2 and 3. Commandos of the Police Special Task Force (STF) have been given the task of ensuring security at the conference venue, the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). They are seen checking cushions of drawing room suites and even air conditioning vents to ensure all is well. Pic by Sanka Vidanagama |
"We are always keen to develop friendship with the countries of the world and our neighbouring countries in our region. We are sincere in our efforts to create the external conditions in order to build these friendships. We wish to express the goodwill and trust of the Tamil people. As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it will observe a unilateral ceasefire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARC conference from 26th July to 4th August and give our co-operation for the success of the conference. At the same time if the occupying Sinhala forces, disrespecting our goodwill gesture of our people and our nation, carry out any offensives, our movement will be forced to take defensive actions.
"We wish for the success of the SAARC conference and we also extend our goodwill and support to the countries of our region-- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives."
There is absolutely no doubt that the LTTE's offer of a "unilateral ceasefire" is a cleverly crafted ploy. True, it allayed the security concerns of some countries taking part in the SAARC meetings in Colombo. Yet, there was far less worries in the defence and security establishment over any possible guerrilla attacks during the period of the conference. The greater apprehension was about the days ahead of the conference.
Triggering incidents during the conference would have not only angered the Government of Sri Lanka but also seven other countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives. With the presence of a large media contingent from those countries, reportage of guerrilla attacks would have sparked off a hate campaign against them in the South Asian region. They could not have afforded to earn the wrath of all SAARC members by disrupting a conference after it had begun. That would have also paved the way for a stronger joint response against them by the SAARC community.
Thus, the offer of a "unilateral ceasefire" for ten days was clearly to place the Government in a bind. In the dovecotes of power, the mood was to ignore the "unilateral ceasefire" call. The subject also figured at top-level talks where "appropriate" responses to the guerrilla offer were discussed. However, official responses were varied and contradictory -- a characteristic of the present Government where many speak in different voices. One official wanted the LTTE to "renounce terrorism" if the Government were to deviate from its current stance. A Cabinet Minister said it could be regarded as "a positive development" though a manifestation of the weakened guerrilla military power.
By Tuesday, Norway that continues its role as peace facilitator formally informed the Government of the "unilateral ceasefire" offer. That day, Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama told Parliament the Government would not enter into any agreement with the LTTE. Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva said the guerrillas would have to lay down arms and then come for talks. He added that the Government would not fall into "an LTTE trap" which was intended to buy time, re-arm and re-group.
In sections of the Government, however, the announcement was to trigger different conclusions. They opined that the guerrillas have become so desperate and militarily emaciated, the call for a ceasefire was a "save our souls" or SOS signal. Even if it hurts those who do not any longer, tolerate dissenting views that is furthest from the truth. However, this is by no means to downplay or ignore the significant successes made by the Security Forces, particularly in the recent weeks. A detailed elaboration of this aspect is not possible due to personal constraints.
The guerrillas did have plans to unleash violence ahead of the SAARC conference and it became a matter of concern for the defence and security establishment. This was by targeting VIPs and important installations. The LTTE leadership in Wanni had asked its operatives that attacks on civilians be avoided ahead of and during the SAARC conference. Here again the idea was to avoid the adverse publicity attacks on civilians would have generated. The Sunday Times learnt that the authorities have incontrovertible evidence of the guerrilla plans. Details of this cannot be bared since investigations are ongoing.
What could, however, be said is the fact that a number of suicide cadres had infiltrated the City of Colombo and suburbs to attack specific targets ahead of the SAARC. The motive appeared to be to discourage delegations coming to Colombo. High officials of Indian personal protection teams who visited Colombo periodically to assess the security situation also entertained similar concerns. This is ahead of the visit of their Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his entourage.
The fact that such concerns were entertained is an acknowledgement that the guerrillas still had the capability to stage attacks outside the north where battles are raging. The Indian teams in particular did not want to take any chances. They are mindful of the guerrilla killing of their one time Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the southern Indian town of Sriperimpudur in May 1991. For this, both the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran and its head of intelligence, Pottu Amman are most wanted men in India.
That New Delhi is still concerned about the role of the duo was reflected during talks a three-member top-level official delegation from India held in Colombo with Government and opposition leaders in June. It comprised National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh. Among others, the delegation met with R. Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentary Group for talks that lasted 75 minutes. A report in the Colombo-based Tamil newspaper Sudar Oli (July 13) said Mr. Narayanan had heated exchanges with Mr. Sampanthan during the talks. Here are translated excerpts of what Sampanthan said and the response he received:
"Facing three senior bureaucrats of India, single handedly, (Sampanthan) put across to them, without mincing his words, the frustration, the anxieties and the disappointment of the Lankan Tamil people over India's omissions, even earning the fury of these India's heavy weights. In fact, India's National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan engaged in cross talk with Mr.Sampanthan.
"At one stage, Mr. Narayanan confronted Sampanthan in the following words: 'Having assassinated a revered leader of our country (Rajiv Gandhi), you expect us to simply ignore it and do justice to Sri Lankan Tamils. It is meaningless. Someone must be punished for the assassination, as an act of atonement. Then and then only can India intervene on your behalf, Narayanan attempted to silence Mr. Sampanthan that way.
"Mr. Narayanan went further and said 'leave alone the LTTE leader, Prabhakaran, should you not hand over at least Pottu Amman, who planned and ordered the assassination, to be punished? Is your side prepared for it?'
"A startled Mr. Sampanthan avoided a direct response, and the Indian delegation knew very well that there was little that he could do. But their expectation was whether he could convey it to the LTTE leadership and bring their response. Mr.Sampanthan, it appears, did not follow it up and there is no information that he conveyed it to the LTTE. But, sources confirm that India is keen to know the LTTE's response to their request through Mr. Sampanthan. It is clear that one of the objectives of the Indian delegation was to convey this message to the LTTE.
"Rajiv Gandhi arrived in Sri Lanka and signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. This was whilst LTTE leader Mr. Prabhakaran, ideologue Anton Balasingham and Political Wing leader Thileepan were still being held at the Hotel Ashok in New Delhi.
"Prior to his visit to Sri Lanka, Rajiv Gandhi held direct talks with Messers Prabhakaran and Balasingham at the Prime Minister's official residence from midnight until 2 a.m., the day before the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in July 1987. On that occasion, there were two others present - one was Tamil Nadu Minister Panduruty Ramachandran, the other was M.K. Narayanan, who was then the Director, India's Intelligence Bureau (IB) and now National Security Advisor, who has now had a heated exchange of words with Mr. Sampanthan.
"This gentleman Mr Narayanan is well aware of an unwritten gentleman's agreement arrived at between Rajiv Gandhi and Velupillai Prabhakaran. But Rajiv Gandhi failed to honour his pledge within a few days. That was why Thileepan had to perform Sathyagraha, fast unto death, and sacrificed his life demanding that the pledge be honoured. It was in such a backdrop that war broke out and ended up in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
"M.K. Narayanan, who is quite well aware of all these developments, has made a request to hand over Pottu Amman at a time when the present Government of India is faced with a political crisis. But it is quite obvious that Tamil leadership will not attach any significance to this request.
"It is learnt that Narayanan later regretted the tone of his argument with Mr. Sampanthan, a senior leader, at a time when his people are subjected to serious sufferings and atrocities.
It is also learnt that Narayanan requested the Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad to meet Sampanthan and calm him, console him and in the end he obliged."
The LTTE's "unilateral ceasefire" effective from yesterday came amidst another development. As reported last week, after regaining control of the Sea Tiger base at Vidattaltivu, the Army advanced further towards the coastal village of Iluppaikaddavai. Last Sunday they re-captured the guerrilla base in this village and continued their thrust forward.
On Tuesday, they fought pitched battles as they tried to reach the guerrilla stronghold of Tunnukkai, located north of Mallavi in the Mullaitivu district. They seized two mortar launchers, one a 120 mm calibre and another 81 mm in battles near the Vavunikulam tank. They captured the tank area located west of the A-9 highway.
The Army's advance this week came amidst reports that the guerrillas were busy making preparations to stall their advance. This had included the construction of a sand mound or a bund ahead of which they were placing mines. These reports also spoke about the guerrillas moving artillery, mortars and ammunition to the area. This has prompted sections of the security establishment to ask whether the guerrillas wanted to buy time through a "unilateral ceasefire" to complete the work now under way. Those are measures to stall a further advance into guerrilla territory by the Army. In the Weli Oya sector too, the guerrillas have resorted to laying more mines to stall the Army's advance.
There were also reports that guerrilla area leaders were reluctant to move around due to fears of attacks by the Army's Long Range Reconnaisance Patrols (LRRPs) in the area causing some disarray among cadres. On Friday, the LTTE accused a LRRP team of triggering a claymore mine attack that morning killing Santhalingam Vimalakumar, described as the Deputy Planning Director of the Pooneryn Division of the Kilinochchi District Secretariat. The incident is said to have taken place in Kokkavil in Oddusuddan. The Army, however, denied the accusations.
The Army is keen to retain the initiative by not giving the guerrillas in the Wanni the impression that they were heeding the "unilateral ceasefire." To that extent, their offensive action will continue to prevent the guerrillas from shoring up their defences to stall their thrust. Whilst doing this, senior officials say troops in some sectors would be compelled to slow down for two to three days purely to consolidate the new territory they have gained. This is by fortifying the defences there.
The LTTE's "unilateral ceasefire" will end on August 4, just a day after the SAARC summit. By the guerrillas' own definition, the end of such a "ceasefire" will see the resumption of the separatist war by them. This is if they do not violate their own “"unilateral ceasefire." Unlike the fighting that has gone on for the past months and weeks, the period after August 4 portends considerable significance militarily.
The Army has now taken the battle to the district of Mullativu which is on the doorstep to Kilinochchi. It is now known that the guerrillas are making fresh preparations to stall their advances from west and east of the A-9 highway towards the guerrilla heartland. Quite clearly, tougher and decisive battles are ahead. Thus, the need for even greater security in areas outside the north will become a sine qua non.
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