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LTTE gets Rs. 35m Japan aid
By The Sunday Times Diplomatic Correspondent
Japan, the new entrant to the country's peace process between the government and the LTTE, has decided to grant Rs. 35 million as an outright gift to the LTTE Secretariat at Kilinochchi, The Sunday Times learns.

This follows a deliberate change of focus by the Japanese government to play a more participatory role in the peace process at the expense of earning the wrath of neighbouring India, and possibly upstaging the current facilitators, Norway, according to diplomatic sources.

The new hands-on approach by the Japanese government comes in the wake of its special envoy Yasushi Akashi's recent visit to LTTE-held Kilinochchi and his meeting with the rebel organisation political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan. The meeting was presided over by controversial Norwegian ambassador Jon Westborg.

A sumptuous lunch of lobster and jumbo- prawn hosted by the LTTE followed the meeting. The LTTE had welcomed the Japanese involvement in the country's peace process, especially its offer of economic assistance.

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran had not met Mr. Akashi but had sent him a message saying he was willing to meet the Japanese special envoy whenever required provided LTTE's chief negotiator Anton Balasingham was present at those meetings.

Sources said that until a few months ago, Japan was reluctant to provide cheques direct to the LTTE, questioning its legitimacy and its bona fides, but has changed its stance on the issue since.

The money for the LTTE Secretariat, formally known as the 'Peace Secretariat', is for the purchase of computers, furniture etc. Officially, the Secretariat also has a Sri Lanka government representative on it.

However, the new Japanese initiative has reportedly not found favour with the Indian government, and it has expressed its concern " in no uncertain terms" when Mr. Akashi visited New Delhi recently and met Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwar Sibal, The Sunday Times learns.

Mr. Akashi, the special envoy for Japan, has also been doubling-up in an advisory role for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Japanese have made it clear in diplomatic quarters that they are no longer willing to play a passive role in foreign affairs merely issuing cheques. They find the Sri Lankan crisis an ideal opportunity to break new ground as a player in international dispute resolution.

They have also made it clear that they have the backing of the United States of America in the new role they are playing. Meanwhile, the next round of peace talks to be held in Berlin will be hosted by the Norwegian government, and not the German government.

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