Of heaping blame and plans gone astray

Velu received a long distance call from London. It was his old friend, Bala.

"Thambi, what have you gone and done now?" Bala asked.

"Why, Bala, what is bothering you so much?"

"What is this story of trying to bomb a High Commissioner?"

"We haven't said we did that, Bala; you shouldn't be jumping into conclusions…"

"Come on, Thambi, you can't fool me…"

"Alright, Bala, but why are you so bothered about it?"

"Have you thought about the consequences, Thambi?"

"Are you worried about the cricket matches, Bala?"

"Thambi, I am worried about Pakistan…"

"But, Bala, Pakistan is not even playing in the cricket tournament…"

"I know that, I am worried about what Pakistan will do now, Thambi…"

"Well, they too can ban us if they wish…"

"But wouldn't that cause us problems?"

"Well, greater and more powerful countries have banned us but we are carrying on, Bala…"

"But this will only add one more enemy…"

"Don't worry Bala, it wouldn't be much of an issue…"

"How can you say that, Thambi? I am sure they will take it quite seriously…"

"Yes, but as long as the Scandinavians support us we have nothing to worry…"
"Now, don't you go bombing them…"

"Why would I? They are doing everything we want and more…"

"So, what is your plan, Thambi?"

"The plan is not working so far, Bala; I want them to declare war, but they haven't done that yet..." "Yes, I can see that, Thambi…"

"Well, I nearly succeeded with the water dispute…"

"But you are sure you don't want peace talks just yet, just to keep everyone guessing…"

"That is not a bad idea, Bala…"

"Or else we can do what we did in Geneva; just go there and then raise some silly issue and return, Thambi…"

"But why should we talk peace, Bala?"

"Then we can remain as 'rebels' instead of being labelled as terrorists, Thambi…"

"But, Bala, we have talked peace only when we were weak and needed time to regroup…"

"And now do you think we are strong enough, Thambi?"

"I am not sure about that, but I am sure about something else, Bala…"

"And what is that?"

"They are weak and we should not allow them to re-group…"

"But, be careful, Thambi…"

"Why? Why should I worry?"

"If we are seen as the aggressors, everyone will turn against us…"

"Ah, we don't have to worry about that?"

"How can you say that when you are exploding bombs everywhere and they are scared to even stage a cricket match?"

"Why, Bala, every now and then, they do something silly and we can claim to the world that we are innocent…"

"So, what are you claiming credit for now, Thambi?"

"We don't need to take the credit, Bala, we can just heap the blame on them and then the rest of the world will do the rest…"

"And what is it about, this time, Thambi?"

"Take your pick, Bala, You have the sixty-one at Mullaitivu or the fifteen aid-workers to choose from…"

Bala knew it was a difficult choice to make, so he said nothing.