Emulating J. R. Jayewardene is best option for LTTE
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The temporary travel ban imposed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam by the
European Union has resulted in two broadly predictable responses on either side of
the ethnic divide in Sri Lanka.
From the hardliners of the "Sinhala" side there is unconcealed glee that the tigers
have at last got what they deserved. The ban is perceived and portrayed as the end
of the road for the LTTE.The international community has at last realised the gravity of
the situation it is felt. The EU travel ban is projected as a tremendous blow from which
the LTTE will never recover. It is seen as the beginning of the end for the LTTE.
From the hardliners of the "Tamil" side the reaction is that of anger and resentment
towards the EU ban. It is perceived and portrayed as a great betrayal of Tamil
interests. The international community has been misled and deceived by Colombo and
other vested interests. This EU action can only strengthen Sinhala hawks and the
inevitable result can only be war. Instead of promoting the peace process the EU ban
is going to bring about war.
Thus once again both extremes of the spectrum are taking up what may seem
superficially to be contrary viewpoints. A deeper analysis will however reveal the
convergence of opinion in the views expressed by the hardliners of both camps.
These sentiments are mutually reinforcing and help both sides to thrive. Lost amid this
raucous cacophony is the sane, sober views of what may be called the
" moderate middle " of a multi - ethnic composition.
This point of view does not see the EU ban as being the end of the road for the LTTE.
It perceives the ban as having placed the tigers at the crossroads of history. There is
the high road and the low road. It is entirely up to the tigers claiming to be the self -
imposed leaders of the Tamil people to make their choice. If they adopt a particular
approach the tigers may be able to salvage themselves and remedy the situation. If
the LTTE follows another course of action it can bring inflict great damage to itself and
by extension the Tamil people.
Junius Richard Jayewardene was a smart, shrewd and reasonably clever politician. He
transformed the politics and economics of Sri Lankan society. Yet he blundered
terribly on the ethnic question and foreign policy. He chose to rely on the "remote"
West and alienated the "proximate" India. We all know what happened. New Delhi
exploited the ethnic crisis to its advantage and promoted Tamil militancy. Both
countries went on a collision course. The climax of that was the Indian Air drop of food
over Jaffna.
There is no doubt that it was an offensive act and violation of Sri Lankan air space
and sovereignty. The Sinhala hardliners cried out vehemently against India. The man
described as the Twentieth Century Fox realised that he was on the verge of an
abyss. One false move and India would have walked in. A de - facto partition was on
the cards. That was the perilous state of affairs prevailing then.
Jayewardene knew that an urgent course correction was required. Unless he did so
the Country was doomed. He gave in and signed the Indo - Lanka accord and
annexure letters. JR swallowed his pride and " bowed" to India. He did not "
prostrate" himself as some others who came after him did. The Southern warrior who
once led the march against the accord is tamer than a "Rajapalaiyam hound" now.
The Desapremis who fought against Mysore dhal and Bombay onions are happily
licking Bharatha Maathaas feet now.
But what did "Yankee Dicky " do? By accepting the inevitable he actually managed to
yank the carpet from under Pirapakaran. Within three months of the accord being
signed JR turned the tables against the LTTE and India. The referee was now in the
ring slogging it out with one party while the other sat back relaxed in the corner
observing this new twist with satisfaction. Like Oliver Goldsmiths "She stoops to
conquer" Junius had seemingly stooped to conquer politically.
The LTTE and its leader kept their pride. The tigers defied the might of India. They
dared to take on the Indian army and fought. The LTTE sabotaged the Provincial
Council brought about by India. Many Tamils including this writer were excited and
proud by this show of valour and defiance. The powerful words of Appar Peruman
"Naamaarkkum kudiallom; namanai anjom" (we are slaves of no one' we shall not fear
death" resonated with us then.
Yet more than fifteen years later the wisdom of hindsight tells this writer that the LTTE
defiance however just and however brave it may have been was a colossal blunder.
This conduct was further compounded by the Rajiv Gandhi assassination.The end
result of all this is that the Tamils lost the support of India. This estrangement has only
been detrimental to Tamil interests. India has not suffered but the Tamils certainly did
and continue to suffer.
There comes a moment in the life of an individual, organization, people or state where
crucial decisions have to be made. In the case of those in leadership positions these
decisions must taken in the larger interests of the entities they lead. Even if the other
party is wrong there are situations where one has to give in temporarily. Sticking to
ones position and preserving pride will not be helpful.
The EU travel ban has brought in its wake a tricky dilemma for the LTTE. The EU has
imposed some sanctions. The EU wants the LTTE to respond positively. The EU does
not expect the LTTE to make some major concession. It only wants the tigers to desist
from certain practices. One is to stop conscription of children. The other is to stop
assassinating those of a different political opinion and those depicted as "traitors". By
doing so the tigers are not going to suffer any major loss or setback. On the contrary it
may boost their political fortunes.
If the LTTE demonstrates to the EU and the co - chairs of the peace process that they
are taking note of these expectations and makes a visibly genuine effort to transform
itself the situation will certainly change. The travel ban will be relaxed. But if the LTTE
continues with these acts and defy the EU then a permanent and comprehensive ban
will be imposed. There will be crackdown on the tigers in Europe and possibly other
places. This process will be escalated and enlarged if the tigers resort to war. The
LTTE is actually in a "no win" situation.
The only option is to do a Jayewardene and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The LTTE must stop the killings and scale down the conscription. When JR was
quizzed at a post - accord press conference about the errors of the past he won the
hearts and minds of those present by admitting to his mistakes including a "Lack of
courage, wisdom and foresight". It was this "Mea Culpa" demeanour by JR that helped
him rectify and reverse the situation to his advantage
But unfortunately the LTTE does not seem to have learnt anything from history in this
respect. From the political commissar Tamilselvan to tiger and pro - tiger websites like
"Nitharsanam. Com", "Tamilnet. Com", "Sangam. Org" etc there is no sign of regret or
remorse. The EU is being faulted and Colombo is being criticised but there is no
introspection. The threat of war being resumed is harped upon ad nauseam in a
scarcely disguised attempt to threaten and intimidate. But there is complete silence or
denial about the two matters of conscription and assassination referred to by the co
chairs and reiterated by the EU.
The LTTE can argue that conscription of minors is not taking place on the scale that
its critics say it is happening but the tigers cannot totally deny the practice. Likewise
they may disclaim responsibility for some assassinations but cannot totally deny
responsibility. It is a recorded fact that thousands of children have been conscripted
and hundreds of people have been assassinated after the ceasefire. Attempting to
deny these and blaming the EU for what is termed as a "one - sided act" is an insult to
the collective intelligence of the EU. Yet this is exactly what the LTTE and its
propagandist minions are doing.
Continuing on this confrontational course with the EU and Western nations can only
plunge the LTTE into disaster. Instead of winning the hearts and minds the tigers in
the words of General Westmoreland in Vietnam are "Going for their b...s". Ignoring the
charges against them and proceeding to blame the EU is futile. Since the EU sanction
is explained as a fillip to the peace process there are some LTTE propagandists
arguing that the opposite - war - will result. If the tigers resort to war to prove a point
they will be committing a grave blunder.
However hard it may be for tiger pride it is necessary that the LTTE try and win over
the EU than confront. This is more important than war rhetoric. Once again the LTTE
must remember the lessons of the Indian fiasco. The LTTE brought the EU ban upon
itself through its past actions. It can now remedy the situation by adhering to the
reasonable requests of the EU. This is the only way out. Unpalatable as it may be the
example of Jayewardene and India should serve to remind the LTTE that giving in
does not mean giving up. Will Velupillai Pirapakaran do a Junius Jayewardene?
[MinorMatters- MorningLeader]
