The Politics of Peace: LTTE Style

23 Apr, 2002    ·   734

Nisheetha Subes tries to answer whether the LTTE is sincerely committed to the present peace process
The proclamation of ceasefire followed by signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE has led to removal of security restrictions and free mobility between the North and East with the rest of the island.  This has led to a sense of relaxation in the minds of the people. Despite this positive outlook and encouraging initiatives underway, there are large grounds for scepticism about the real intentions of the LTTE. 

 

 

These relaxations have enabled the LTTE to continue their ‘political work’ in government controlled areas. They have organised a series of ‘Pongu Thamiz’ (Rise up Tamil) programs. Cut-outs portray slogan: “We will break the chains of Mother Thamiz.” The picture depicts Mother Tamil with her hands and legs chained, standing in Tamil Eelam. The organisers have sold video cassettes of various military operations and audio cassettes with Prabhakaran’s speeches. Some of the slogans raised in the ‘Pongu Thamiz’ processions in Batticaloa in February 2002 call explicitly for war and separation.

 

 

•  The thirst of the Tamils is to achieve motherland of Tamil Eelam.

 

 

•  Ignite revolution and let Tamil Eelam be born tomorrow.

 

 

•  Recognise the right of self-determination.

 

 

•  Leave the Tamils to live independently.

 

 

•  Liberation Tigers are the sole representatives of the Tamils.

 

 

While a few LTTE leaders were drawing the attention of the world towards its peace moves, others are engaged in preparations for war. Reports say that the LTTE supremo, V. Prabhakaran, instructed his cadres that ‘the talks may or may not succeed, you prepare to wage the war.’ The ‘Pongu Tamiz’ rallies organised through their proxies in many Tamil districts in Sri Lanka were aimed to create a war hysteria among the people, and attract teenagers living in Army controlled areas.  Reports state that the LTTE is engaged in conscription, extortion and kidnapping for ransom. It has received three shiploads of arms and ammunition within three months. These facts prompted America to warn the LTTE to observe the clauses of the MoU strictly. 

 

 

This stand of the LTTE raises the question of its commitment to the peace initiative and whether the LTTE entered this process due to other compulsions. It has proven its intransigence by uncommitted participation in different peace processes in the past, which is reflected in the present exercise. 

 

 

What are the factors compelling it to get into this mode? These arose at three levels: domestic, regional and international. Firstly, the rapid migration of more than a million Sri Lankan Tamils abroad, mostly the cream of its society, had an effect. Unending war and unfavourable international opinion frustrated the people. This seriously affected the LTTE in terms of men, material and its support base. The LTTE realised that they could not prolong the war successfully without using some other tactics. 

 

 

Secondly, the LTTE realises the damage to its cause by its provocative actions against India . Its recent tactical move has been to involve India again by suggesting it as a venue and the Indian State as an observer in negotiations.  The defeat of the Elephant Pass attack and India ’s intention to enter Jaffna to rescue thirty thousand Sri Lankan forces clearly shows India ’s concern with the developments in the island.  The Norway-led peace process works in consultation with India . Hence the LTTE needs to restore its relations with India or at least neutralise its antagonism. 

 

 

Thirdly, the First World countries like USA , UK , Canada and Australia have banned the LTTE, identifying it as a terrorist outfit. This seriously affected its capacity to utilise the potential in the Tamil Diaspora. The LTTE wants to gain recognition from these major powers to attain its goal of a separate state.

 

 

Above all, the pledge of America and its allies to wage ‘war against global terrorism’ after the September 11 attack left the LTTE with no option but to downplay its military strength. Considering the compulsions that brought the LTTE to the peace process, its activities at ground level reveal that it wants to retrieve its dwindling support rather than seek a compromise solution. The LTTE has entered this risky game in the belief that Sinhala chauvinism and partisan politics in the Sinhala polity would bail them out by disengaging from this process at some point. Further, the LTTE believes this would change international opinion in its favour. The present moves of the LTTE are driven by domestic and international compulsions rather than its appreciation of changing political realities. 

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