Tigers need genuine and urgent course correction
By D. B. S. Jeyaraj
The Ramayana tells us of how the queen Sita Devi made her abduction at the hands
of Lankan King Ravana easier by crossing the " Lakshmana Rekha" . When a worried
Sita compelled her brother in law to go in search of Rama enticed away by a demon
taking the form of a golden deer Lakshmana was reluctant to leave her alone in the
forest abode. He drew a "Rekha" or line in the sand and instructed Sita not to cross
that line. Ravana found himself unable to cross that line drawn to protect Sita. So he
took on the form of a hermit and entreated Sita to bestow alms by crossing that line
and coming near him. Sita disobeyed Lakshmana and crossed the Rekha only to be
abducted. the description Lakshmana Rekha now depicts the limit or border one must
not cross. Whosoever crosses that line faces danger.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam crossed the Lakshmana Rekha when they
assassinated Lakshman Kadirgamar on August 12th. Killing the enemy on the
battlefield is one thing but assassinating civilians during a ceasefire period is another .
The LTTE has killed thousands in the past and nearly four hundred people during
three and a half years of a ceasefire. Like the Orwellian dictum about some animals
being more equal than others the lives of some people are regarded as more valuable
than others. Lakshman Kadirgamar was the foreign minister of Sri Lanka. One of the
negotiating partners engaged in a peace process after having signed a ceasefire
agreement that expressly forbade such acts killed him. Such an act would necessarily
have its consequences.
This is what the LTTE is facing now. The tigers have been killing people with impunity
in the past. They killed hundreds of people after the ceasefire and got away with it.
The quantity and quality of the victims kept on escalating. Finally they overreached
themselves and targeted Kadirgamar. While the foreign minister was always a target
few would have expected the tigers to assassinate him when a peace process was in
force. It was not an act of audacity or temerity but that of sheer stupidity without
thought of possible repercussions. But then what can one expect from a movement
that killed Rajiv Gandhi? So the Lakshmana rekha was crossed.
This writer in an article written last week for "The Morning Leader" referred to the four
principles of Indian statecraft in getting an entity to follow a particular course of action.
They were "Saamam" "Bhetham" "Thanam" and "Thandam". Saamam is soft talk
where one party is cajoled into agreeing or adhering through a pleasing gentle
verbal approach. Bhetham is hard talk where the party is coerced into consenting
through harsh intimidatory oral pressure. Thaanam is the method of coaxing a party
into agreement through gifts and concessions. The fourth Thandam is compelling a
party into agreement through punitive measures and forceful action.. It is the last
resort to be used only when the other three options fail.
Of the four co - chairs in the Sri Lankan peace process Norway being the facilitator
adopted the "Saamam" approach towards the LTTE. The USA tried "Bhetham". Japan
pushed the "Thaanam" line. None of these seemed to be effective. It was time for the
last one "Thandam". It has been the lot of the European Union to follow this course of
action albeit in a limited manner. The Kadirgamar killing showed the Country and the
World that the earlier approaches were not working. It was time to convey a forceful
message to the LTTE. The Limited sanctions imposed by the EU on the LTTE has to
be viewed in this light. Even after killing Kadirgamar the tigers may have staved off the
backlash to some extent if they had handled the cards adroitly. But they failed to do so
because of their arrogance, misreading of the political situation and over - reliance on
the Norway factor.
In the aftermath of the assassination there was widespread international
condemnation and a demand that the killers be brought to justice. But that
condemnation was tempered with the advice that the peace process should continue.
This gave the LTTE an opening. The tigers seized it. Until the killing the LTTE had not
been very receptive to the idea of reviving talks about the ceasefire. Even President
Kumaratunga invitation to review the ceasefire agreement was not received positively.
Suddenly the tigers changed their approach and expressed willingness to talk about
strengthening the ceasefire.
The Government had commenced an anti - tiger diplomatic drive sans excessive
publicity after the assassination. A request was made to Western nations with a
substantial Tamil diaspora that some activities of the LTTE be curtailed and the tigers
banned. There was some forward movement on that when the LTTE moved swiftly to
stall such efforts. With the LTTE saying they were ready to talk and Colombo willing to
respond positively the question of a Western crackdown was put on the backburner.
The Government response was essentially a knee - jerk reaction. There was fear
among top cabinet ministers that they too may be bumped off by the LTTE. With a
Presidential election looming large the danger of assassinations assumed grave
proportions. There was an imperative need to arrive at some understanding with the
tigers and prevent it. Basically it was important that the LTTE should desist from
political assassinations during elections. Besides there was the necessity to cultivate
the Tamil constituency in a time of election. So the Government agreed. Norway was
relieved. The resumption of talks would have been a political windfall for the LTTE. It
would have taken off the post - Kadirgamar International heat .
Then the LTTE became more ambitious. They felt that the immediate danger of an
international backlash was over. So the tigers tried to derive some political mileage.
They wanted the talks to be in a foreign country or Kilinochchi. The objective was
obvious. Fortunately the Government reacted with some spunk. It refused to hold the
talks in Kilinochchi or abroad. Once again Oslo came up with a compromise and
suggested the Colombo Airport premises. Though unconventional it may have served
the purpose if the LTTE was willing. But Thamilselvan being very keen on going for
another foreign jaunt or demonstrating that Colombo was coming to Kilinochchi
refused. This was a blunder. Had the LTTE come for talks in Colombo the political
climate would have changed to the LTTE's advantage.
The situation was stalemated and even Norway was disappointed at the stupid
obstinacy of their clients. It was then that Colombo revived its diplomatic offensive
again. It was spearheaded by President Kumaratunga and peace secretariat director
Jayantha Dhanapala. Their trip to the USA and the lobbying undertaken was a
remarkable feat. Through a series of private and public meetings Kumaratunga and
Dhanapala succeeded in projecting the need for the international community to revise
the approach towards the LTTE. The highlight of that diplomatic thrust was that both
were able to convey the impression that a change of approach was the only option to
keep the peace process alive. International pressure on the LTTE was necessary.
The climax of that initiative was Kumaratunga’s commendable address to the UN.
" Even with rebel groups engaged in peace processes we must adopt procedures that
reward genuine peace making on one hand, and impose sanctions on acts of
terrorism on the other. Without this, vulnerable democracies will find it extremely
difficult to launch and sustain effective negotiations with armed groups", Kumaratunga
told the UN General assembly. The stage was being set. The LTTE however seemed
blissfully ignorant about what was happening. The only response by the tigers was the
puerile observations made routinely to sycophantic journalists by Tamilselvan.
According to the "Tamilnet" the political commissar called Kumaratunga’s speeches as
"ludicrous" and described her as "an embodiment of antinomy". He opined that the
international community would disregard her.
Successive Governments as well as the International community have been more than
generous to the LTTE in the past. Keeping in mind the long term interests of Sri Lanka
in general and the Tamil community in particular the LTTE was tolerated to a very
great extent even as the tigers went on violating ceasefire conditions merrily. The
LTTE held out the implicit threat that the ceasefire would collapse and war resume if
they were penalised in any way. Norway buttressed this argument by intensive
lobbying among Western nations. Oslo canvassed for greater tolerance towards the
LTTE because the tigers were making a difficult transition. Any pressure could upset
those "innocent babes" and send them on the road to war again was the Norwegian
manthra.
But now the situation was being transformed. Colombo was able to persuade
international opinion that the way of Norway may not be the way. The approach
towards LTTE had to be changed. Some pressure was needed. It was a bold gamble
but it had to be taken. Pleasing and appeasing the tigers had not worked. Jayantha
Dhanapala expressed these sentiments clearly when addressing US Congressmen at
the Washington Forum.
In many ways, the international community has been indulgent of the LTTE,
subordinating democracy and human rights to keep the peace process alive,
rewarding the LTTE with various incentives, in the hope that dialogue and
engagement will slowly democratize the organization. This however is no longer
tenable," declared Dhanapala
He further noted, "This may be an opportune moment to undertake a fundamental
review or "redesign" of the peace process. The government's discussions with
representatives of the international community reveal that there is broad agreement
that we have to have a fresh look at the peace process. The route of appeasement or
the "carrot and more carrots" approach, have not worked with the LTTE. Immediately
after the Kadirgamar assassination, the government called for concerted international
action that is immediate and tangible against the LTTE, to include not only those that
have a bearing on the LTTE, but also its numerous front organizations in many
countries through which it continues its reign of terror in Sri Lanka."
"In order for the Government of Sri Lanka to be able to talk to the LTTE without further
alienating the peace constituency in Sri Lanka, the international community must take
a tough stand against them. This will help move the peace process forward"
Dhanapala said.
The European Union action therefore indicates that the International community has
accepted Colombo's viewpoint and is taking a new approach towards the peace
process. In an interview given to a Colombo English newspaper Christina Rocca, US
Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, said the EU ban reflected the
international community's strongest message that acts of terrorism by the LTTE would
not be tolerated.
"The travel ban is a concerted message from the Co-Chairs ” the US, EU, Japan and
Norway” which strongly felt that a wanton act of terrorism of the nature of the
assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar should not go unpunished,"
Ms. Rocca said.
The United States, as a country which has designated the LTTE as a terrorist
organization, strongly felt that strong action should be taken against the LTTE to stop
the growing number of killings, other forms of violence and child recruitment, she said.
However, Ms. Rocca underscored the need to continue the peace process and reach
a negotiated settlement to the conflict and observed that the United States expected
that whoever won the presidential elections in Sri Lanka would continue the peace
efforts.
"For the US it does not matter who wins the elections but we want to see a violence-
free poll and a commitment to continue the peace process," Ms. Rocca said in the
interview at the US State Department.
The assistance that came Sri Lanka's way following the December 26 tsunami, Ms.
Rocca said, was ample evidence of the kind of support the international community,
especially the US, would make available for Sri Lanka and that the government of Sri
Lanka could count on such assistance always.
Another factor working against the LTTE was that the rotating presidency of the EU
was now Britain’s lot. Britain had already banned the LTTE. Tony Blair pushed a
strong anti - terrorist line. The July 7th subway bombings in London had hardened
feelings further in Britain. Thus Britain and the USA were in the forefront of the move
to get the EU issue sanctions on the LTTE.
One glaring contradiction in Western attitudes focused on by Sri Lanka in the past
was the seemingly preferential treatment shown towards the LTTE. The US and Britain
were very hawkish towards terrorism affecting them directly but expected Colombo to
be lenient towards the LTTE. But now even those Countries were finding it difficult to
reconcile a soft approach in Sri Lanka and a hard approach in other countries. It
appears therefore that the Western nations led by US and Britain want to flex a little bit
of muscle against the LTTE too. It must be noted however that the EU sanctions are
limited in extent and serve more as a wake up call than a debilitating punitive measure.
The LTTE has as expected displayed irritation towards the EU action. Tamilselvan
sees it as a setback to the peace process. The International Federation of Tamils has
written to EU member states arguing against a ban. The LTTE's Tamil website
"Nitharsanam" operating from Oslo on Norwegian finance has launched a strong
protest campaign. The Nitharsanam has given contact details of top EU officials
including Benita Ferrero - Waldner and urged that Tamils in Europe write to them
expressing disapproval. Despite LTTE maneuvers few European Tamil residents are
likely to respond. With an outright ban being likely in the future Tamils will play it safe
and avoid being identified with the tigers.
The LTTE has imposed itself upon the Tamil people through force as the self -
appointed sole representatives. They have eliminated all effective alternative
leadership. As a result the acts of omission and commission by the LTTE affects all
Tamils. There is a great responsibility on the part of the LTTE to act with caution and
restraint. Rash responses can only make things worse for the tigers and by extension
the Tamils.
It is fundamental for the LTTE to grasp that the international climate has changed.
The Norway headed approach of feeding carrots is put on hold. Colombo has been
successful in formulating a new approach of brandishing sticks and threatening a
beating. The tigers must realise that a [paradigmatic shift is on the cards and adjust
accordingly. There is no point in blaming others and seeking cover behind the Tamil
people. The LTTE must face reality.
The tigers should understand that they cannot go on in the way they have been going
for ever and ever. It is time for the LTTE to review and revise their approach. The
need of the hour is an urgent course correction for the LTTE. It is important that such
a course correction be genuine. It must not be a cosmetic change for tactical
purposes.
The EU has cited two immediate conditions explicitly referred to by the co - chairs
earlier. One is the conscription of children and the other the assassination spree. This
column reiterates that the LTTE refrain from conscription of minors and not engage in
assassinations. This has to be done. After all no one is asking the LTTE to break the
law or implement the unnatural. The tigers are only being asked to obey the law both
morally and legally. If the LTTE is able to demonstrate that it is really trying to
transform itself into a political entity then the international community will be more
lenient. The travel ban will be temporary.
The LTTE can better its prospects if it changes its hard line approach. The LTTE
must show it respects democracy and pluralism. Instead of insisting on being the sole
representatives and wiping out political dissidents the tigers could convene a broad
Tamil Conference where all shades of Tamil opinion participates. A broad Tamil
council in which the LTTE could be "first among equals" could be mooted. This would
give the LTTE more political strength and high moral ground that killings can never
provide.
More importantly the LTTE should declare publicly that it would abide by the Oslo and
Tokyo declarations. It must cooperate with Ian Martin in drafting a comprehensive
human rights charter, Furthermore it must call for immediate talks on exploring
federalism as set out in the Oslo accord. The tigers should shelve the ISGA proposal
and insist that Colombo come for talks on a federal model transforming Unitary Sri
Lanka into a United Sri Lanka. Such a move. Such a move if undertaken genuinely
could throw the complacent Sinhala political establishment into disarray. The
international community would be able to gauge the bona fides of many Sinhala
politicians paying lip service to the federal concept or devolution. Kilinochchi will be
able to turn the tables on Colombo. Who knows the Sinhala polity may be exposed as
being unable and/ or unwilling to grant federalism?
For all these to happen the LTTE must re - structure its approach. If it fails to do so
and continues as at present further International sanctions will definitely follow. If the
tigers adopt war then a major and unimaginable international crackdown is very likely.
Whereas an urgent and genuine course correction by the LTTE would be immensely
beneficial to the movement, the Tamil people, Sri Lanka and the World.