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The Press versus
Prabhakaran
By Anthony David
Tamil rebel chief Velupillai Prabhakaran answering a wide range
of questions at Wednesday's press conference said the group was
not yet willing to drop the demand for a separate state, but said
he was willing to consider if the demand for a Tamil homeland, Tamil
nationality and Tamil rights are met.
Following are excerpts of the press conference held at the Political
School of the LTTE in Kilinochchi.
Q: From the
inception you have been struggling for an independent state. Are
you willing to renounce that and accept any federal model.?
A: Conditions have not arisen to abandon an independent statehood.
The struggle for Eelam is a demand of the Tamil people. In the 1977
elections, people have given a mandate to the TULF to fight for
a separate state.
Q: How serious
are you about the peace process. There has been doubt about your
genuineness?
A: We are sincerely committed to the peace process. It is because
we are sincerely committed to peace that we continued a four month
cessation of hostilities.
Q: Since
you have accepted an interim administration under the Sri Lankan
government will you accept the hegemony of the Sri Lankan state?
A: We have not discussed the formalities or the framework of
the interim administration . It has to be discussed with the Sri
Lankan government . This does not arise since we have not started
the peace process.
Q: Will you
go to Thailand with this idea?
A: So far on the demand for Eelam we have not decided as yet.
We are going to Thailand to discuss the interim administration as
proposed by the government.
Q: What about
the ban on the LTTE imposed in India ?
A: We want the government of India to lift the ban on the LTTE.
We will raise the issue at the appropriate time.
Q: You have
been indicted in the Gandhi assassination ?
A: This case is going on. Four persons have been convicted.
They are seeking amnesty at the moment. We do not want to make any
comments at this moment.
Q: Are you
denying involvement in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination?
A: (Mr. Balasingham). I know this is a sensitive issue, not
only for you but for us as well. You are raising an issue that happened
10 years ago. We want to have friendly relations with India.
Q: What have
you to say about the charges ?
A: This is a "tragic incident." that has taken place
ten years back. We cannot comment on the issue.
Q: The Rajiv
Gandhi assassination...
A: (Dr. Balasingham) You are trying to dominate the press conference.
You have come here when the peace process is on. You are talking
of an old incident. Do not dig into the past.
Q: Why should
anyone should believe that the ceasefire will lead to peace or why
the LTTE will not start fighting back as happened in the past.
A: This is the first time that a third party, Norway, has got
involved as a facilitator. We believe that the peace process will
work.
Q: There
is widespread feeling that the reason you are speaking now is because
of the action by the United States against terrorism, after the
events in September 11. Do you agree with that?
A: The LTTE has initiated peace moves before the September 11
incident. Furthermore Norway's peace envoy Erik Solheim has been
given an assurance that we want a negotiated settlement.
Q: For 25
years you have been adopting a military strategy to achieve your
goal, but now you seem to be embarking on a political path. Is the
tiger changing its stripes ?
A: Our political struggle began in the form of non-violence.
Leaders in the past believed that they can use a non-violent method.
Because the non-violent methods were crushed we were forced to take
up arms to defend ourselves. We were compelled to take arms. Whenever
there was an opportunity we have opted to settle the problem peacefully.
Q: Is there
any message you hope to give, by inviting us here today ?
A: There has been lot of misunderstanding about the LTTE. We
would like to explain through the international media that the LTTE
is committed to peace and a negotiated settlement.
Q: Will you
allow other parties to function in the north and what do you feel
about the collaboration between the Sri Lankan and US Governments
?
A: We can assure you that other political parties whatever their
policies may be, will be allowed to function in the North-East and
participate in the democratic political process. As far as the collaboration
between the US & SL governments is concerned it is not of our
concern to condemn or criticise the current global developments
or the position of different political regimes. As far as we are
concerned we are determined to fight for the political rights of
the Tamils, irrespective of whether Sri Lanka is aligned to America
or the Soviet Union or any other world power. We are committed to
the emancipation of our own people.
Q: You have
apologized to the Muslims but not made an open invitation for their
return.
A: We have already apologized to them. If we invite them, there
should be some conducive set up for them to live. Our leader will
certainly extend an invitation for them to come to the north and
live with us.
Q: There
are reports about Muslims in the East being harassed. It is reported
that they have no rights to the land.
A: We have called the service commanders from the east to discuss
the alleged harassment of Muslims. We have called Karikalan for
a meeting and asked him what has gone wrong. He has assured us that
he has made no such statement and it is a distortion. We believe
that the Tamil homeland belongs to the Muslim people and we believe
that there is no dispute that Muslims have a right to own land.
When Mr. Hakeem comes we will discuss the matter.
Q: You say
you will allow political parties to function in the north and east.
How can you seriously say so when the LTTE has assassinated Tamil
moderates ?
A: We do not want to go into details, as there have been contradictions
between Tamil parties in the past. Now almost all the Tamil parties
in the north and east are supporting the LTTE. There are some Tamil
armed groups that we do not consider as political entities as such,
but as mercenaries and they support the Sri Lanka armed forces against
the LTTE. So we have requested that the armed groups be disarmed.
Now the situation is almost that all parties that contested in the
north & east are supporting the LTTE. In future there will be
no problems. We will allow the genuine democratic Tamil parties
to function in the north-east as democratic entities.
Q: Are you
ready to give up your armed struggle and if not why?
A; We will seriously consider renouncing the armed struggle
if a solution acceptable to our people is worked out.
Q: Upcountry
youth have been in custody for several years, what about these people.
But no leaders are taking any action.
A: We have been constantly campaigning for the release of these
prisoners. Most of them are suspected LTTE members. They are kept
without any trial. We have requested Tamil parties to agitate for
their release and we are going to appeal to the government to repeal
the PTA.
Q: What are
the conditions that you say would be right for you to give up your
armed struggle? Can you please explain the impact of the ban on
your organization throughout the world?
A: There are three fundamentals. That is Tamil homeland, Tamil
nationality and Tamil right to self-determination. These are the
fundamental demands of the Tamil people. Once these demands are
accepted or a political solution is put forward by recognising these
three fundamentals and our people are satisfied with the solutions
we will consider giving up the demand for Eelam.
It is true that several countries have imposed the ban due to the
malicious campaign by the Sri Lanka government against the LTTE.
It is because of these reasons we have appealed to the government
of Sri Lanka to de-proscribe our organization before the commencement
of negotiations. Once our organization is de-proscribed we will
campaign in the rest of the world to get the ban lifted in the rest
of the world.
Q: Will Mr.
Prabhakaran accept any responsibility under the Interim administration?
A: We haven't started any dialogue about an interim administration.
When that arises I will think whether to accept any responsibility
or not.
Q: Will you
allow Muslim participation in the peace process?
A: Certainly we will allow Muslim representation in the peace
process as it is crucial.
Q: You said
the Gandhi assassination was a tragic incident. How do you look
at other tragic incidents. Are you satisfied with the pace of the
peace process. Also what is your greatest military victory?
A: I am pleased with the peace process and also want to compliment
Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe for the action he has taken to proceed
with the peace process and the goodwill measures taken in the north-east
towards normalcy.
Q: There
have been incidents in the past that led to your proscription. What
would be your message to the other side that would be incidents
of the past.
A: (Dr. Balasingham). I have openly said that we want to have
friendly relationships with India and that we want a positive participation
of India in the peace process. I myself openly requested India to
give me a venue so that I can land in India, for two reasons. One
is for logistical reasons and the other for medical reasons. I am
a transplant patient. I have a serious kidney ailment and if India
provides me with a passage or venue to land in any of the cities
in Tamil Nadu, I will be pleased. I have to come and consult Mr.
Prabhakaran if the peace process is initiated. India's active participation
in the peace process is crucial for the Tamil people because India
is a regional super power. Since India was not taking any active
interest in the process, the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE
have requested the Norwegian government to play a facilitatory role.
It is not to isolate or alienate India from playing an active role.
Q: Have you
directly requested the Indian government?
A: We have requested Norway to make the request. They (India)
have not rejected our request, but still it is on the agenda.
Q: Mr. Prabhakaran,
you are said to have told your cadres that if you give up the demand
for Tamil Eelam, you can be shot. Does that statement stand?
A: That statement stands.
Q: How do
you plan to respond to allegations of human rights violations and
recruitment of child soldiers now that the LTTE is keen to be an
acceptable member of the global community?
A: The allegation that we are recruiting children is untenable
and unacceptable. We have decided to recruit people over 18. The
people below 18 who came to join us were sent back to their parents
and we are collecting letters from their parents. There is no need
at this present stage to recruit children. It is impossible for
the LTTE to conduct an effective war with children or a baby brigade.
We have child welfare centres and orphanages to look after children.
Q: You have
been living an underground life and you may be frustrated with the
underground life . Is that the reason to come out?
A: We are not the people who are worried about the underground
life or a strenuous life . We are prepared to fight for the political
rights of our people.
Q: Are you
ready to take up a political responsibility?
A: We have been fighting this guerrilla war for the liberation
of our people - for the welfare of our people. Therefore we are
not concerned about our personal political life. That is a secondary
matter where I have not seriously thought about accepting a political
position or a political leadership in the future. Even now we are
engaged in this press briefing because we are really concerned about
peace and a peaceful settlement of the ethnic war. It is our genuine
concern for the welfare of our people that has made us get involved
in the current peace process.
Q The question
is about working within the democratic system. Would Mr. Prabhakaran
be ready to do so rather than head a military outfit.
A: The solution is within the democratic, political framework
. Our organisation will seriously participate in that process and
our cadres will also involve themselves in the political mainstream.
Q: What do
you mean by self determination. You say you are fighting for the
right of your people based on the right for self determination,
therefore, what do you mean by self determination?
A: By self determination we mean the right of our people to
decide their own political destiny It can also mean /apply to autonomy
and self government. If autonomy and self government is given to
our people, then also we can say that the internal self determination
is to some extent met. But if the Sri Lankan government rejects
our demands for autonomy and self government and continues with
repression, then as a last resort we would opt for cessation. That
also comes under self determination. So self determination entails
autonomy and self government. In an extreme case, in the last resort,
it means cessation. Therefore we say, if the Sri Lankan government
offers the Tamil people the form of self government and autonomy
in recognition of our nationality and also the right to self determination
then we will consider that offer. But if the government refuses
to give us proper autonomy, proper self government and continue
with this repression, then we have no other alternative but to fight
for political independence and statehood. That is our perspective.
Q; What will
you do if the government finally betrays you or if these talks collapse?
A: As far as we are concerned we have faith in the present government
and we will continue to work with this government until a solution
is reached. We cannot answer hypothetical questions.
Q: Do I understand
you right that the events of September 11 and the international
focus on terrorism has not changed your strategy and thinking at
all. Have you not had cause to reassess the value of suicide bombing
on civilian targets and assassinations in the light of September
11th?
A: We have issued an official statement condemning the incident
of September 11th. We strongly condemn this act of violence perpetrated
on innocent civilians under the name of a religion which advocates
peace. Since we have adopted a peace process and that now we are
committed to peace, we don't want to make any comments about suicide
attacks at this stage.
Q: You wanted
the government to make a second proposal. What is your formula/vision
?
A: We have made a statement saying that a formula has to be
worked out based on the Tamil demand for a homeland, nationality
and self determination. We want a framework which recognises this
fundamental core issue. It is on that basis that we are requesting
the government to put forward a counter proposal and if the counter
proposal envisages or embodies these demands and offer a substantive
solution that satisfies the aspirations of our people, we will seriously
or favourably consider such a framework .
Q: Do you
think that the Ranil government can offer such a solution?
A: We don't think Ranil Wickremesinghe is capable of addressing
the core issues and offer us a permanent solution at this stage
because you know executive powers are vested with the President
and his powers are limited to Parliament. It is because of that,
that we are suggesting the formation of an interim administrative
set up so that we can run an administration in the N/E. The LTTE
can participate in an interim administration in the N/E. In the
meantime, Ranil Wickremesinghe will have enough space to build up
southern Sri Lanka economically. So it will be advantageous for
the Tamils as well as the Sinhalese to work out an interim set up
for the time being. Once the interim set up is established then
we are prepared to discuss the core issue and negotiate for a permanent
settlement of the ethnic question. But we wish to insist that Ranil's
government is not politically stable or authoritative or powerful
enough to take up the core demands of the Tamils and offer us a
permanent solution.
Q: Do you
think Chandrika Kumaratunga will scuttle the process?
A: We don't anticipate that President Kumaratunga will create
any serious difficulties for the peace process. Even if she tries
to scuttle the peace process, its up to Ranil Wickremesinghe to
ensure that such difficulties doesn't arise and he should act in
such a way that this process succeeds.
Q. How do
you expect us to believe that you are genuine about pursuing democracy
allowing other Tamil parties to survive in this area, when you spent
your entire career sending suicide bombers to kill democratically
elected politicians. And even today, we're being filmed surrounded
by goons. And you have the whole appearance of a military dictator.
How do you expect us to take you seriously ?
A: We're going to meet four Tamil political parties the day
after tomorrow. These are the political parties, which once upon
a time had serious differences with our political organisation.
Now the whole scenario has changed and we're inviting them to talk
and discuss about various issues. If we are an authoritarian organisation
trying to repress other political organisations, there is no need
for us to call them and discuss. Similarly we're calling the Muslim
leadership and the plantation leadership also. So therefore the
times have changed and we are adopting new strategies. Please understand.
The Wanni is an area controlled by the LTTE. There are security
issues, there are security concerns. In the past you would have
heard that there has been deep penetration groups who have penetrated
into this areas and killed several of our senior leaders. So we
have intensified our security systems here to protect our leadership.
So today Mr. Prabhakaran is attending this conference. You are here,
we have to ensure that no acts of violence or any disturbance takes
place. Therefore we have allowed the Tamil police officers to guard
these areas. So it doesn't mean this security system indicates an
authoritative system as such. In Colombo you will have far more
intensive security arrangements when such events take place.
Q: There
are so many countries. Why did you go far away and choose Norway
as a facilitator ?
A: Norway is reputed for resolving international conflicts.
Norway has undertaken peace missions in several countries. And secondly,
it is the Government of Sri Lanka which opted for Norwegian facilitation
and we decided that Norway would be an appropriate facilitator because
of its neutrality and it has no strategic interest in this region.
Q: Has Norway
facilitated or brought about a settlement with regard to the Palestinian
issue. Now the Palestinian-Israeli problem is hotting up. Don't
you think that the Tamil problem will also end up in chaos if Norway
initiated this peace process.
A: In the peace process there are times when difficulties arise
and even peace talks collapse and war breaks out as we have experienced
in the past. But that doesn't mean we should give up our pursuit
for peace and political settlement. We know the Palestinian problem
had got into serious difficulties. But our problem is entirely different.
At the same time, we want to use the Norwegian facilitation to engage
in the peace process in Sri Lanka and we hope that this peace process
will succeed.
Q: Will you
(Mr. Prabhakaran) participate in talks in Thailand, because the
Interpol representative was in Sri Lanka and he said that the Indian
government has requested them to arrest Prabhakaran. So I want to
know, in this situation, what is the answer. Will he be there ?
A: Mr. Balasingham will be the Chief Negotiator and he will
be participating in the peace process. Even now we're going to talk
about the interim administration, not about a permanent solution.
When peace talks for a permanent solution take place, we have to
think about my participation. An the same time, Mr. Balasingham
will visit me now and then from Thailand to consult on the formulation
of this interim administration set up. So I'm not going to Thailand
to engage in this current negotiation which will be confined only
to the formulation of an interim set up.
Q. My question
was re Interpol. India has requested the Interpol to arrest. What
is your stand ?
A: We don't want to make any comments on that, because we are
still waiting for a positive response from the Government of India
with regard to at least a passage through India for Mr. Balasingham
to come from London and meet me. And I think the Government of India
will favourably consider in the coming days by offering a passage
for Mr. Balasingham to visit the Wanni. That's all we can say.
Q: Will the
peace talks take place after the de-proscription of the LTTE or
not ?
A: Only after the de-proscription will we participate in the
peace process.
Q. Does Mr.
Prabhakaran fear America's intervention if the peace process collapses.
A: I don't consider that America will intervene in this conflict,
if the present peace process collapses.
Q: Do you
mean to say that talks in Thailand will be held only after the LTTE
is de-proscribed?
A: Yes, that is our position. We have informed the government,
we have told the Norwegians that de-proscription is a necessary
condition for the commencements of talks.
Q: Will you
settle for a suspended de-proscription ?
A: No. We want to be de-proscribed properly and the Prevention
of Terrorism Act has to be properly amended so that we have to be
de-proscribed and accepted as the authentic representative of our
people, so that we participate in the peace process as the representative
of our people with equal status. That has been our official position.
Q: Is the
LTTE using the ceasefire as an opportunity to re-arm?
A: It is during the armed conflict that we were able to amass
a large quantity of weapons and it is during peace time that we
are deprived of that opportunity. During the battle of Elephant
Pass we were able to acquire a large quantity of arms worth millions
of rupees and also ammunition in large amounts. It is during the
peace process that we are deprived of this opportunity.
Q: What does
Mr. Prabhakaran consider as the greatest LTTE victory ?
A: I consider the government's attempts to open up the A9 highway
by military means. We defeated the armed forces in this military
engagement, which is a major success that the LTTE has achieved
so far.
Q. Which
military general does Mr. Prabhakaran remember the most ? And for
what ?
A: I don't consider any particular general as posing a serious
challenge to the LTTE.
A journalist tries to thank the LTTE for organising this press conference
and journalists shout asking him to sit down.
Q. What makes
you think this ceasefire agreement will succeed when previous ones
have failed?
A: Compared to the past ceasefire agreements this one is different
for two reasons. One is that it is facilitated by a third party
- the Norwegians. Secondly Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe is seriously
and sincerely committed to peace and therefore appropriate conditions
are available now for a permanent and stable peace than in the past.
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