17th December 2000

Nothing like trying

"So, what is so special about it?" Bindu wanted to know. "Why, Prabhakaran also said a few days ago that he is ready for talks." Percy explained. "So, if both sides agree to talk, why don't they just go ahead and talk?" "It's not that easy, Bindu." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?" "There is this problem about pre-conditions for the talks." "What is the problem about that?" "The government says there should be no pre-conditions for the talks."

"And, what does Prabhakaran say?" "He says the war should be stopped, though of course he also says that it is not a pre-condition." "Then," Bindu argued, "the government's pre-condition is that there should be no pre-conditions."

"I suppose you could say that." Percy conceded. "But, thaaththa, haven't previous peace talks ended in disaster?" "Yes, they have," Percy agreed, "but they say this time it is different."

"Why is that?"

"Why, this time the Norwegians are involved." "But previously the Indians were involved." Bindu countered. "But they say that even Britain and America are involved now." "But why should the Tigers listen to them?" "Well, the Tigers also have to take into account what the other countries say because some of their support comes from these countries." Percy explained.

"Then," Bindu asked, "what is our Prime Minister saying about these talks, thaaththa?"

"Why, what about him?"

"Why, during the election it was he who said there will be no talks with the Tigers and that they will be dealt with militarily."

"He now says that he will not stand in the way of peace."

"How can he change his position like that?"

"Why, because he is a politician, Bindu." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Why, successful politicians are those who make promises to people before elections and then explain why those promises cannot be kept after the election."

"There may be another reason." Bindu suggested.

"What is that?"

"Satellite may have asked him to make those promises before the election just to get the votes."

"That is not impossible." Percy admitted.

"So, do you think these peace talks will be successful, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know.

"I don't know about that." Percy said.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because," Percy said, "peace talks with the Tigers are like smoking cigarettes; you do it because you think you can impress the rest of the world with it but in reality you are only harming yourself."

"If that is so," Bindu said, "peace talks are like cigarettes in another way."

"How is that?" Percy wanted to know.

"Why, thaaththa, you try it just once and then you want to try it again and again though you know it's certainly harmful for you."

Percy didn't disagree.

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents