'LTTE strength vital for success of peace talks'-Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 March 2003, 14:19 GMT]
Tamils should strengthen the hands of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to find a meaningful political resolution to the Tamil national question through the present peace talks, said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentary group leader Mr.R.Sampanthan addressing a heavily attended musical event at Sampoor in the LTTE held Muttur east in the Trincomalee district Saturday night organized by the Trincomalee political division of the LTTE, sources said.

TNA parliamentary group leader, Sampanthan

The Trincomalee district LTTE commander Colonel Pathuman, Trincomalee district parliamentarian Thureiretnasingam, Trincomalee district administrative head of the LTTE Mr.Thevan also attended the cultural event presided by Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE Mr.S.Tilak.

Mr.Sampanthan appealed to the international community to pressure the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to expedite the resettlement of displaced in their own lands, as even after one year since the signing of the ceasefire agreement by the GOSL and LTTE no meaningful progress has been made in this matter.

Parliamentarian Thureiretnasingham

Thousands of displaced still languish in refugee camps and welfare centre even in the peace environment, he added.

The GOSL signed the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE because of the military might of the LTTE, Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.Sampanthan said.

"Successive Governments of Sri Lanka were always bent on finding a military solution and were not sincere in their attempts to find peaceful and meaningful political solution to the ethnic conflict. The military strength of the LTTE has finally forced the GOSL to seek a negotiated settlement with the LTTE. Therefore the hands of LTTE should be strengthened by Tamils to find a lasting and meaningful political solution to the Tamil national question," said Mr.Sampanthan.

Trinco district administrative head of the LTTE Mr.Thevan

Mr.Sampanthan described the LTTE as a force that cannot be militarily destroyed or weakened by governments in power.

"We all want peace. We do not want another war in the country. Precious lives of people and LTTE cadres should be not be wasted. We need to build an economically prosperous nation where people can live with dignity and freedom strengthening their culuture and social standards, when a permanent solution is found.

"For more than a year the ceasefire agreement has been in force. However normalcy has not yet returned in the lives ofthousands of displaced Tamil families. The 0displaced still lead miserable life in refugee camps and welfare centres. The government should bear in mind that normalcy will not return to the northeast province until the displaced are resettled in their traditional places without further delay. The international community is obligated to to make the government to realize the urgency in resettling the displaced if the peace is to be sustained," said Mr.Sampanthan.

Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE Mr.S.Tilak

Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE Mr.S.Tilak presiding over the event said, "We have started to lose confidence on the present peace process because of the events that had taken place during the one year period of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement now in force. During this period we have lost thirteen of our cadres. Our women cadres had been humiliated by the government security forces".

The government signed a ceasefire agreement with the LTTE last year, as its armed forces could not stand in the face of our military attacks and its country was near bankruptcy. The Tamils have a historical obligation to strengthen the hands of the LTTE at this stage. The present peace environment will continue until the LTTE maintains its military force. Active participation of Tamils is urgently needed, to achieve this goal, said Mr.Tilak.

TNA parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham said Tamils should not be deluded into thinking that peace has returned to the country. We should all be aware of elements that are active among our midst to weaken the LTTE and Tamils in their struggle.

The Trincomalee district administrative head of the LTTE Mr.Thevan also spoke.