Going back home: To what or where?
Puttalam refugees torn between the desire to go back to the North and fears of an uncertain future
By Nilika de Silva
As the ground work is being laid for talks between the government and LTTE in Thailand, hundred thousand Muslim refugees are weighing the pros and cons of returning home to the Northern Peninsula from where they were evicted more than a decade ago.

Of an estimated 17,000 displaced Muslim families, 13,000 live in about 73 temporary refugee camps in the Puttalam district. Last Wednesday more than 1,500 refugees had gathered at the Puttalam Town Hall to voice their fears and hold discussions with SLMC leader and minister Rauff Hakeem who had returned after meeting LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The refugees, representing the 73 camps scattered around the Puttalam district and members of the NMRO ( Northern Muslim Refugees Organisation) wanted assurance from Mr. Hakeem regarding their security were they to return to their homeland.
More than two kilometres from Puttalam town, at the Jaffna Camp where about 110 families live, people were still uncertain whether they would be returning to Northern Peninsula.

"We do not know whether our houses are still standing," Zareef Hussain (55) said voicing doubts about returning to Jaffna with his 10 children. Hussain used to work in a shop in Jaffna. He left his home and all his belongings when he was chased out of the North by the LTTE 12 years ago. "All I had was my sarong and the shirt on my back, when I came walking to Nachchikuda," he said. But Hussain like many other Muslims is exploring the possibility of returning to his homeland. "I am going to Jaffna tomorrow to see whether my house is still standing," said Hussain.

Life in the refugee camp is not easy. Water is rationed as is everything else. A family receives only one can of water. Rs. 1260 worth of goods is given out to each family irrespective of whether the family comprises five or ten members. But rations have not been distributed for three months now. In the face of allegations that the LTTE was extorting money and harassing Muslims in the East, Minister Noordeen Mashoor has assured the refugees in Puttalam that they will not be harassed in this manner were they to return to the North.

Mr. Mashoor who was part of the Muslim delegation that met Mr. Prabhakaran said that the LTTE leader had assured that they would not extort money from the Muslims. Inspite of these words of assurance, sentiments ran high at Wednesday's meeting with many voicing anger against Prabhakaran whom they saw as their number one enemy. Nadeer Badurdeen (40) a mother of five, recollecting their flight from terror in Jaffna said the LTTE gave them just one hour to quit.

"We left behind everything. I was even forced to leave behind the jewellery I was wearing. I tried to take at least a bottle of hot water to make my baby's milk on the way, But I was forced to even leave that behind. Nadeer said she was pregnant when she was forced to leave Jaffna and she was first forced to walk from Jaffna to Nachchikudai, then from Vavuniya to Anuradhapura and from there to Puttalam. "The Army was sympathetic because I was pregnant and gave me food, biscuits and barley," she recollected.

She wants to return to Jaffna but was afraid for the safety of her children. "We do not know whether our houses are still there. We cannot go now. The money they are offering is not enough," she said. "Our homes have been destroyed. The house my husband built after going abroad and earning money cost Rs five lakhs. What is the point of them giving us Rs. 35,000 now?" she asks.

Some of the issues raised at the meeting included a request to rebuild 30 mosques that had been demolished in the North and the recommencement of the Point Pedro, Rameshwaram ship service. Meanwhile the Secretary of the Northern Muslim Refugees Organisation, Moulavi Zufiya questioned the stance of the LTTE and said two weeks ago the LTTE had not recognised the SLMC as the sole voice of the Muslims. "Is the LTTE now sincere in recognising the SLMC or is it playing its cards according to the available opportunities," he asked.

We are no longer a moderate party: Siva
By Harinda Vidanage
TULF leader M. Sivasithamparam has declared that his party is no longer a moderate party and has reiterated that the LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamil people.
In an interview with The Sunday Times he said the solution to the ethnic conflict should be worked out at talks between the government and the LTTE.
Excerpts:

Q: What does the LTTE expect from the TNA in the peace process ?
A: I don't know

Q:Anton Balasingham has said that the LTTE will provide guidelines for the TNA on its political activities what do you have to say?
A:I don't know whether he said that or not, only one news paper carried such a report and that can not be verified.

Q: So far have you received any guidelines from the LTTE?
A: No, not to my knowledge. but I don't know whether the other party members were given any such guidelines at the meeting with the LTTE.

Q: In view of the peace process are you reviewing your basic policy and thrust?
A:The TULF grew out of the TUF (Tamil United Front) it was on the basis of Vaddukoddai resolution which called for a separate state for Tamils. Since all attempts of political parties have failed it is important to gain sovereignty through a separate state. Thus there is no need for such a change.

Q:The TULF is now aligned with the LTTE which is a militant group. How will this affect your party's future political process ?
A: From the time of the Jayawardene administration the TULF has been asking for a separate state or for an appropriate alternative. The LTTE is also making the same demand.

Q:Do you feel that the TULF is under pressure from the LTTE in making decisions ?
A: No. The Tamil parties have tried for 20 years to have a constructive dialogue with the government but the efforts failed. Now we feel the only party that is capable of doing it is the LTTE. That is our conclusion.

Q: Is the TNA hoping to play a part in the proposed Interim Administration ?
A :We do not intend asking for a share in the interim administration.

Q:Then where will you go from there?
A: Our mission is and will be in parliament. At the moment our thrust is to urge the government to lift the ban on the LTTE.

Q:Do you think that the LTTE is trying to politically eliminate other parties ?
A:I don't know about other parties but the LTTE has not tried to do that with ours.

Q:What is the LTTE demanding from the government?
A: I dont know. But we believe the LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamil people because it is the only party that can solve the ethnic conflict.

Q:What happens if the LTTE resorts to the armed struggle again?
A :We will support any action that the LTTE takes, as we have recognized it as the sole representatives of the Tamils.

Q:What is the relationship between the LTTE and the TNA ?
A:We trust each other that is how politics can evolve.

Q:The Rajiv Gandhi assassination was brought up at the LTTE media conference. What is your view on this ?
A:We should not live in the past. We must forget the past live in the present and look to the future.

Q:When your leader Appapillai Amirthalingam was assassinated you were there. Can you ever forget that ?
A:It is not a question of forgetting. But we can't live in the past.

Q: The Indian and Tamil Nadu governments have made certain adverse remarks about the LTTE. Will this affect your party negatively ?
A :We don't have any link with India and so it does not affect us.

Q:The LTTE is highlighting self determination. How do you understand it?
A: It is a system of government acceptable to the Tamil people without seceding.

Q:Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke of this concept within a unitary state. Is this possible or does it require a federal state?
A: If internal self determination is to work, it cannot be a unitary structure. It needs to be a federal or confederate system.

Q:You are accepted as a moderate party what are your future plans with the LTTE ?
A:We are no longer a moderate party. We are together with the Tigers to get freedom for our people. We are being fooled by the Sinhalese parties who call us moderate and tell us why don't you do this and that because you are a moderate. We were fooled for 20 years by JR Jayewardene, Chandrika (Kumaratunga) and others. I said in parliament quite clearly please don't call us a moderate party. The Tamil people are one.

Q:Do you denounce militancy?
A:Looking at what the Sinhala parties have done to us things that have to be done must be done. How many years have we talked with the Sinhalese parties, How many years have we talked with the Sinhala leaders? What did we get?

Q: What do you think of the Prime Minister's peace initiative?
A: We feel that he is sincere.

Q:What in your view is the solution to the ethnic conflict?
A:The government and the LTTE must come together for talks.

SLMC hopeful of sustained dialogue with LTTE
SLMC leader and minister Rauff Hakeem said his initial talks with the LTTE leaders was productive and he hoped for a sustained dialogue. In an interview with The Sunday Times Mr. Hakeem said the initial talks covered day to day problems of the Muslims while more contentious and difficult issues would be taken up later.
Excerpts:

Q:What are your first impressions of the SLMC, LTTE talks?
A:The meeting was cordial and productive. It has given us hope that we can discuss things freely and sort out our differences through a sustained dialogue with mutual understanding.

Q: On what main issues have you reached an understanding?
A: We have got assurances on day to day problems of Muslims.
That was a confidence building measure. Particularly to get the Muslims to trust this process and support the initiative. We would certainly have more contentious and difficult issues to deal with in the coming rounds and I'm sure, going by the atmosphere in which the talks began that we could look forward to a constructive dialogue.

Q: Did you discuss the process of resettlement of Muslims without harassment ?
A: The invitation for the Muslims to come back and resettle was made with the understanding that there would be no harassment or discrimination.

Q:Did the LTTE indicate that an SLMC member would be included in the interim administration ?
A: We did not take up details of the interim administration. LTTE leaders said the details would be discussed at the Thailand talks.

We would certainly be looking for safeguards and guarantees.

Q: Did you go to see Velupillai Prabhakaran because you feel the future of the Eastern Province will be governed by the LTTE not the Government of Colombo of which you are a Cabinet Minister?
A: That has nothing to do with it. It has now become national interest that we do engage with all these forces and the need to talk with them. It was done in full agreement with the Government and facilitators. We have not betrayed anybody.

Q: Did Prabhakaran accept you as the 'sole representative' of the Muslims?
A: He said that he will be dealing with only the SLMC. Because he feels the SLMC has got the mandate. I feel he does not believe in a divide and rule policy.

Q: Are you losing control of a Jihad group within the Muslim community, that was preparing for 'war' against the LTTE?
A:This talk about this group is by and large a myth. There is no such group. Politically these matters can be resolved.

Q: You ae meeting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today. What is this regarding?
A: It is to share my impressions on the meeting with the LTTE leader in the Wanni and the subsequent steps I have taken to implement measures, Muslim resettlement, etc.

Q: Will the SLMC be represented at the peace talks?
A: Yes. The LTTE gave clear assurances that we could take part when substantive talks begin.

Q: Some observers claim Mr. Prabhakaran is backing the Muslim cause now only to strengthen his own position. How do you read it?
A:We see a paradigm shift in the attitude of the LTTE. I believe the shift was based on ground realities.The Muslim dimension cannot be ignored and I believe an intelligent outfit like the LTTE is quite aware of this.

Q:Did the LTTE tell you anything as to what it expects from you in Parliament?
A: Certainly not and it dares not.

Q: Has the LTTE demanded anything of you ?
A: No. But the LTTE appealed to us to understand its struggle and we would certainly try if the LTTE respects our cause.

Q: Did the LTTE say the Muslims can be active politically in the North?
A:If the LTTE does not accept that reality it would not have invited us for talks.

Q: Was security very tight when you went to meet Mr. Prabhakaran?
A:We had no body checks. We were treated honourably. In contrast we were treated respectfully and had almost a guard of honour along the road, with lined up female LTTE cadres who gave us a strange salute holding one palm against their chest.

We landed in one of the grounds in Kilinochchi. There we were welcomed by the LTTE's Chief of Protocol Mr. Pulithevan, and conducted to a guest house to freshen up. Thereafter we were taken to the LTTE political headquarters in Kilinochchi where Mr. Prabhakaran was present to welcome us with a smile and a firm hand shake.

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