Editorial

Editorial

Will LTTE follow IRA?
The Irish Republican Army apology over the week for 30 years of sectarian violence in which hundreds of civilians were killed was by and large welcomed by the British press. The British Daily Mirror said in its front page "Sorry? You bloody well should be,'' adding in its Editorial however that the Catholic paramilitary group's apology "is the most hopeful sign yet that an organization committed to killing has accepted that its war is at an end.'' Though some newspapers said the apology was not made in good faith, it was acknowledged almost across the board, that the apology signifies the IRA's readiness for consolidating the peace initiative. The IRA statement which contained the apology for its part stated that the organization is "totally committed to the peace process in Northern Ireland.''

No similar apology was forthcoming from the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran when he was asked in Kilinochchi about civilian killings in his campaign for separatism in Sri Lanka. Even so, Prabhakaran and his lieutenants both of the political and military variety swear by peace these days.

LTTE violence has certainly claimed more than the 650 civilian lives lost in the IRA's 30 year armed campaign. But, the LTTE's apparent fondness for peace and the process of establishing a permanent peace seems to be even more loudly articulated these days than the IRA's pacifism. Thamilchelvan, perhaps the LTTE's most quoted and articulate man since the ceasefire pact was signed, has said that "the LTTE is civilized enough to know that there can be no return to war again.'' At least one way in which the LTTE can prove that sincerity is to issue an apology for civilian killings in Aranathalawa, Sri Mahabodhiya, Central Bank, Maradana and many other locations far too numerous to mention here. But then, is the LTTE half as contrite or as sincere as the IRA in these matters?

Chapter closed?
The LTTE's most high handed act since the ceasefire began, the abduction of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission members in an incident close to Iranathivu has now passed. The LTTE has issued an apology. The Norwegians and the international community seem to be satisfied.

It is easier to accept an apology when a stake one has in an issue is strictly limited.. If the LTTE says "sorry chum'' the Norwegians can take that apology, retire to the Hilton Pub, and say "all is well that ends well for us ceasefire monitors.''

But, not so fast for us Sri Lankans who have much more of a stake in the ceasefire and its ramifications. It is near absurd that the whole kidnap drama has in fact served as a smokescreen of sorts for the larger issue which is of import in the whole Iranathivu episode.

What exactly were the LTTE boats, masquerading as Indian fisher-boats, trying to unload?There are no answers for these questions either by the LTTE or by the Norwegians. All the Norwegians seem to be able to say is that they were very hurt and that the peace process is being compromised. It is not difficult to empathize with that. But when the cesefire monitors get kidnapped, do they usually forget what it is they were supposed to be monitoring in the first place? Who is talking about what kinds of weapons the LTTE were transporting and why? But can any of these questions be answered, when the ceasefire monitors seem to be more interested in attending to their own wounds both physical and psychological, inflicted as a result of a horrendous high sea abduction?

No. 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2. P.O. Box: 1136, Colombo.
Editor - steditor@wijeya.lk , News - stnews@wijeya.lk Features - stfeat@wijeya.lk
Business - btimes@wijeya.lk Subs - suntimes@wijeya.lk ,
Funday Times - funtimes@wijeya.lk
EDITORIAL OFFICE Tel: 326247, 328889, 433272-3. Fax: 423922, 423258
ADVERTISING OFFICE Advertising - advt@wijeya.lk , Fax: 423921
CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT No. 10, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2.
Tel: 435454, 448322, 074 714252. Fax: 459725

Back to Index