Muslims too want IA, says Hakeem
By Chris Kamalendran
Minister and SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem has warned that if the LTTE is granted an interim administration, the Muslims of the east will also demand a separate administrative unit.
Addressing Muslims in Sammanthurai, the Minister said if the Tamil community's right to internal self-determination was recognised, the government should also recognise the Muslims' right to a separate administration.
"The LTTE is talking about safeguarding the rights of the Muslim and Tamil community, but when we ask for Muslim rights the LTTE starts attacking us. Can we trust the LTTE? The plight of the Muslims has not changed even after we signed an agreement with the LTTE," Mr. Hakeem said.
Accusing the government of not fulfilling its obligations towards the SLMC in terms of a memorandum of understanding signed with the UNF, the Minister said his party was looking at the possibility of signing another MoU with the government in view of the provincial council elections in January.
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