LTTE asks whether UN abets Colombo discrediting combatants

[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 March 2009, 11:04 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Puthukkudiyiruppu political head C. Ilamparithi categorically denied Wednesday the misuse of a high energy food sent for children by UNICEF in June 2007 by diverting the therapeutic food to the use of LTTE cadres. Based on a report of Colombo alleging the 'discovery' of the said food samples in the belongings of a dead LTTE cadre, the Colombo UN office on Tuesday came out with a statement deploring the diversion of its assistance meant for severely malnourished children.

The therapeutic food in question allegedly found by the SLA in the belongings of one LTTE cadre was BP 100, which the UN claims as sent by it in June 2007 as a life saving medicine to severely malnourished children.

"The UN is coming with defamation of LTTE combatants based on a planted report of the Colombo government," blamed Ilamparithi.

"This is why we repeatedly request the UN to present itself in the conflict zone to verify itself what is actually taking place here. But the UN's Colombo office, which couldn't assert this right with the Sri Lankan government is showing its toughness only with the LTTE that too based on the false reports of Colombo," he further said.

"In June 2007, there were UN officials remaining in Vanni. The distribution of the therapeutic food couldn't have taken place without their knowledge and monitoring. It is unfortunate the UN office comes out with an accusation now which only strategically abets Colombo's international propaganda of discrediting the LTTE combatants."