SLMM Chief on urgent trip to meet LTTE in Kilinochchi
May 11th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Sri Lanka monitoring mission (SLMM) chief Lt. Gen . Ulf Henricsson will travel to Kilinochchi on May 12th to meet the hierarchy of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The urgent mission is being undertaken by the retired Swedish army general to discuss in detail some outstanding issues with the tiger leadership. Observers feel that the discussions will be of crucial importance in determining the future role of the SLMM in North – East Sri Lanka.
[Lt. Gen . Ulf Henricsson and other members of the SLMM in Kilinochchi on Friday, May 12 - Photo TamilNet]
Chief among the issues to be raised by Henricsson would be the safety of Scandinavian ceasefire monitors in functioning in North – Eastern Sri Lanka. Though CFA monitors have been at risk on several occasions in the past recent developments such as escalating conflict have increased their vulnerability. The physical safety of at least three monitors were imperilled on May 11th in incidents off the Northern and Eastern coasts.
The SLMM chief is expected to obtain clear cut guarantees at the highest level of LTTE leadership. Monitors from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland are serving as monitors currently. Though Henricsson wants to meet LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapakaran and Sea Tigers special commander Col. Soosai personally it is not known whether he would be able to do so.
There are some other issues too that have soured relations between the LTTE and SLMM. The tigers and monitors were at loggerheads with each other over the fiasco regarding sea transport for Eastern tiger commanders to travel to the North for consultations regarding Geneva talks. When the LTTE cited naval presence as reason for not proceeding with the arrangements Gen. Henricsson issued a statement saying the tigers had agreed to such provisions. This led to acrimonious discussion between both.
The LTTE was also annoyed by what it saw as backtracking by the SLMM over incidents of violence against civilians by security personnel and Tamil armed groups. Initially the LTTE was pleased by the SLMM statement which attributed partial responsibility to the Govt security forces and Govt aligned armed elements.Subsequently after protests by the Government the SLMM issued a clarification that toned down its earlier criticism. It was now the LTTE turn to protest at what it saw as retraction by the SLMM.
The LTTE has also been critical of some statements made by SLMM media spokesperson Helen Olafsdottir that were one – sided in the view of the tigers.
Gen. Henricsson will definitely address the contradictory perceptions between the SLMM and LTTE over certain aspects of the ceasefire agreement. Conflict between both viewpoints has increased over the question of movement by sea. The SLMM issued a harsh statement after the sea battles of May 11th which criticised the tigers vehemently.
[Sea tigers on ship in Kallapadu, Mullaithivu coast on Martyr's day 2005]
The SLMM statement was as follows –
” The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have committed gross violations of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in recent days by moving at sea with the aim of provoking the Sri Lankan navy and now finally embarking on an offensive operation against the navy sinking one vessel and putting SLMM monitors in grave danger.
The sea surrounding the Sri Lanka is a Government Controlled Area. This has been ruled so by the Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in line with international law. Non-state actors cannot rule open sea waters or airspace. The LTTE has therefore no rights at sea.
The LTTE has made, what the SLMM feels are threats to our monitors warning them not to participate in partrols in Navy vessels. The SLMM takes these threats very seriously and would like to remind the LTTE of its responsibility as an equal partner to the Ceasefire Agreement to do everything in its power not to jeopardise the monitors’s safety.
We therefore demand that the LTTE immediately ceases all activities and operations at sea as they are a serious violation of the CFA. This sort of reckless behaviour can only lead to a dangerous escalation resulting in growing hostilities and jeopardising any possibility for future peace talks.
We would also like to urge the Government of Sri Lanka not to be pushed by these provocative acts and to show as much restraint as possible.”.
The SLMM statement was picked up by the local and foreign media. News reports that appeared observed that the SLMM had been sharply critical of the LTTE.
The LTTE took offence at the SLMM statement. Political Commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan wrote a stern letter to the SLMM and released it to the media. The letter read as follows -
11 May 2006
Major General Henricsson
Head of Mission
SLMM
Subject: Sea incident and the bombing of Vanni on 11 May 2006
It is a simple truth that any military CFA is based on a balance of power and in order to maintain the CFA that military balance of power must remain. Sea Tigers existed prior to CFA and it contributed to the balance of power that resulted in the CFA. Sea Tigers used the seas adjacent to our areas of control.
This fact was confirmed by the SLMM in its Press Release on 25 April 2003 where it said:
“When the Ceasefire Agreement was signed on the 22nd of Feb 02, the LTTE fighting formations, including the Sea Tigers, existed. Consequently, the LTTE Sea Tigers exists as a De Facto Naval Unit…Balance of power is one of the basic elements for the present Ceasefire. Hence, to maintain their Forces‚ capabilities both Parties must have the right to carry out training and exercise in designated areas.”
LTTE has since been warning the SLMM, on several occasions, verbally and in writing, that it will move Sea Tiger Naval vessels, armed or otherwise, in the seas adjacent to the land areas under LTTE control. We have repeatedly informed the SLMM that we will retaliate if SLN vessels intercept us. For this reason we have warned and requested the SLMM Naval Monitors to refrain from boarding SLN vessels. The three letters sent to SLMM are included below.
It was in this background, we were exercising in the seas adjacent to our land areas on 11 May 2006, when SLN vessels attempted to interfere with our movements and attacked us. As we have warned we retaliated.
In this unprovoked attack on the Sea Tiger vessels by SLN, four of our fighters lost their lives and two of our fighters are injured.
SLMM Press Release on 11 May 2006 relating to this incident said, “The sea surrounding Sri Lanka is a Government Controlled Area. This has been ruled so by the Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in line with international law. Non-state actors cannot rule open sea waters or airspace. The LTTE has therefore no rights at sea.”
We like to point out to you that you are contradicting your own earlier statement that Sea Tigers are part of the balance of power and therefore must have the right to carry out training and exercises.
In spite of this and in spite of our warning, the SLMM has put its naval monitors at risk to provide protection to SLN vessels. At the same time, the SLMM has not provided protection to our fighters and our naval vessels. Even worse, the SLMM has ruled this incident a CFA violation against us.
Following this incident, Sri Lankan Air Force has bombed Vanni region. Sri Lankan armed forces have also carried out blind shelling and artillary attacks on heavily populated areas in the Sampur region of Trincomalee. These attacks are serious CFA violations. Yet, the SLMM has not condemned these attacks for the serious CFA violations that they are.
We are shocked and disappointed by the partiality demonstrated by the SLMM.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
S.P.Tamilselvan. Head of the Political Wing.
-
The LTTE also took umbrage over allegations made by the SLMM that earlier letters sent by the LTTE about the issue of ceasefire monitors boarding Sri Lankan navy vessels was tantamount to intimidatory threats. SP Thamilselvan attached copies of earlier letters as annexures to his letter. One of them had been sent earlier on May 11th morning.The annexures were also released to the media by the LTTE. The three letters are given below -
First letter sent on 18th April:
Re: SLMM Naval Monitors on board Sri Lankan Naval Vessels
In recent times Sri Lankan Naval vessels boats have carried out several attacks on areas in our control along the Northeast coast. There were two such very serious attacks along the Trincomalee coastal areas. Cannons fired from Sri Lankan naval vessels have fell on civilian homes and work places along the Northeast coast. We have sent several complaints to you about these attacks.
Sri Lankan naval vessels have come very near the shores of our sea area and have fired at our Sea tiger Naval bases. In this context, situation may arise when we will be forced to return fire. Also, given the failure to arrange internal transport of our members, we may also be forced to use our own naval vessels for the transport of our members. If Sri Lankan naval vessels attempt to attack us we will be forced to take defensive action.
We are totally committed to the protection and safety of all SLMM members working in the Northeast. Therefore, given the above scenario, we request you to avoid boarding Sri Lankan naval vessels immediately on receiving this letter. Please inform all your Naval Monitors as soon as you have received this letter to stop boarding Sri Lankan naval vessels. We regret to state that if any SLMM members are hurt while in Sri Lankan naval vessels we cannot be held responsible for it.
-
Second letter sent on 10 May
Re: SLMM Naval Monitors in Sri Lankan Naval Vessels
We refer to your letter dated 18 April 2006, in response to our earlier letter where we requested SLMM monitors to refrain from boarding Sri Lankan Naval vessels for the sake of the safety and security of the SLMM monitors.
We thank you for this reply dated 18 April.
We believe it is our responsibility to inform you of the threat to your safety and security, which we have done. It is of course your decision to act on that advice and we respect that.
We, however, wish to reiterate that we cannot be held responsible for any harm to SLMM monitors while on board a Sri Lankan Naval vessel.
Third letter sent on 11 May 2006
Subject: SLMM Monitors on board Sri Lankan Naval Vessels
We have on several occasions verbally informed you to refrain from boarding Sri Lankan Naval vessels. We have also given this request in writing to you twice so far. This is the third request from us to you to refrain from boarding Sri Lankan Naval vessels.
Sri Lankan Navy is entering the sea adjoining the land in our control and disrupting the fishing activities of the people. It is also disturbing the LTTE exercises in doing so. If Sri Lankan Navy disrupts our activities we will definitely retaliate.
SLMM monitors are used by the Sri Lankan Navy as human shields in order to continue with these disruptions.
We urge you for the last time not to be on board Sri Lankan Naval vessels until further notice from us. If you chose to ignore our warning and request, we are not responsible for the consequences.
Please take this as the last warning to you to not board Sri Lankan Naval vessels.
-Given the troubled state of relations between the SLMM and LTTE the discussions between Gen. Henricsson and the tiger leadership will be of crucial importance in determining the future role of the monitors in Sri Lanka.
[General Trond Furuhovde]
Meanwhile LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapakaran has issued a statement expressing his condolences over the death of retired Norwegian general Trond Furuhovde in Oslo. Gen. Furuhovde was the first SLMM head and also served as monitoring mission chief for a second stint. The tiger cheif has greatly appreciated Gen. Furuhovde’s services in his statement.
Related:
- Sri Lankan Air Force bombards Tiger territory
- Indian help sought to escort ‘Pearl Cruiser’ safely to KKS
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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
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