transcurrents

Tigers lose advantage gained at Geneva Talks

May 20th, 2006

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The 25 member European Union seems set to list the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) as a terrorist organization. The EU technical committee has already made a recommendation to this effect. The 700 member EU parliament has passed a unanimous resolution calling for a freeze of LTTE assets and finances in Europe. The travel ban on LTTE already in force has been duly recognized. Member states have been asked to do away with the illegal taxation conducted by the LTTE among the Tamil Diaspora. More importantly a total proscription is being actively considered.

The LTTE is already proscribed in India, USA, Britain and Canada as a terrorist organization. In Australia some restrictions are in force. The travel ban and proposed freeze could hamper the movement considerably. A formal listing could affect the LTTE more in Europe.

The Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora is widely scattered among European Countries. It is of sizeable numbers in Britain, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Ireland. The EU listing will not affect Switzerland and Norway who are not members. But it could have repercussions in other Countries.

The LTTE relies heavily on the Tamil Diaspora for finance and propaganda. It is unrealistic to expect that all tiger fund raising and propaganda would cease because of the ban. But it could certainly diminish and even become less strident.Also the intended freezing of tiger assets may not be easily feasible because the LTTE does not have anything under its own name.

It is also pertinent to note that despite bans in the USA and Britain pro – tiger activity has not ceased. It has become low profile but has not ended. If there is acommitted and dedicated group willing to take risks and public support is forthcoming then it would be hard to do away with the LTTE. The prevention of Terrorism Act did not eradicate Tamil militancy. It only enhanced it.

What is more important is the symbolism and optics. The Sri Lankan state could depict the ban as a victory for its war against LTTE “Terrorism”. It could seek to undermine the Tamil national struggle as being “terroristic”. The Sinhala hawks could be encouraged by this to pursue the military war more vigorously.

On the other hand an already paranoid LTTE may regard the “world” as incurably hostile to them , quit the peace process and resume full scale fighting.

“The more the international community alienates the LTTE, the more the LTTE will be compelled to tread a hardline individualist path,” warned LTTE chief negotiator and political strategist Anton Balasingham in an interview to the “Tamilnet”.

For at least two years, the Sri Lankan state has been waging a ’shadow war’ against the LTTE, . Balasingham pointed out. “This shadow war has now transformed into a low-intensity war.”

“Emboldened by international support, and especially by further proscriptions of the LTTE, the Sinhala hardline elements will undoubtedly take steps to further escalate the violence and precipitate a war in which they hope to destroy the LTTE,” he said. “If this happens, the LTTE will be compelled to resist.”

“As such [an EU ban] is not going to help bring about peace, [but] will only serve to exacerbate the conditions of war and endanger the lives of Tamil civilians entrapped by Sinhala occupation forces,” Mr. Balasingham further said.

In a situation where the EU ban is being mooted as pressure aiming to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table the LTTE ideologue was constrained to point out that the opposite may happen. Instead of promoting peace it may promote war he points out.

Much as one understands Balasingham’s reasons for articulating this point of view one does wish that he had not expressed it in the way he did. For one thing it strengthens the anti – LTTE accusation that the tigers are warmongers. It also sounds “funny” in a sense because the LTTE itself has been engaging in acts that amount to an undeclared war. The tigers are not in a position to be concerned about war when they themselves are promoting it in stages.

Even more important is the fact that these are matters that should not have been dealt with through the media. Instead of releasing a statement to the “Tamilnet” Balasingham could have made urgent representations to the EU. Instead of bringing it into public domain he could have confined it to the private sphere at least from the LTTE side of things.

What happens in situations like this where the LTTE point of view is communicated publicly is that a tendency of playing to the gallery emerges. The target audience becomes the Tamil people instead of the EU. Communicating through media becomes very often a case of talking at rather than talking to the other pary.

Another negative aspect is that when conflicting positions are made public the sides involved reach a level from which they cannot budge. Any comporomise could be seen as caving in and so losing face. Compromises and flexibility that are possible in private discussions are impossible in public debates.

In the aftermath of Balasingham’s statement it may not be possible for the EU to backtrack even if it wanted to do so. Likewise the LTTE too will find iy difficult to reverse its stance after publicising it. It was this proclivity to go public that complicated LTTE – SLMM relations in recent times. Effective diplomacy is usually quiet. It does not need the media megaphone.

The decision to impose restrictions on the LTTE is based on the EU thinking that the LTTE has engaged in violence, endangered peace and needs to be pressured into participating in talks. It is certainly trues that the LTTE is guilty to some extent in all these. But what saddens and troubles many Tamils (not necessarily “Tiger” Tamils) is the impression that the EU has not been even handed in this.

The text of the resolution reveals a clear contrast. The faults of the LTTE are censured harshly but the faults of the Government are given soft treatment. Even more so is the specific reference to President Mahinda Rajapakse. It is as if Mahinda is striving hard to rise above petty differences and deserves support. The EU displays much ignorance about what is really happening in Sri Lanka.

Mahinda Rajapakse’s security forces and the alternative armed groups aligned to them are also involved in violence. Much of this is against Innocent civilians. The President is complicit in this because no one from the security forces or paramilitaries has been penalised so far. [Photo: Families from the islets have sought refuge in the St. Philips Church following the 13th Saturday Allaipiddy assassinations - TamilNet]

Rajapakse promises justice and commissions of inquiry but nothing concrete is done. This shows that the Government condones such activity. It seems as if the Government is encouraging these acts through its inaction to check or punish those involved. There is a climate of impunity prevailing. For this Rajapakse bears full responsibility. The EU resolution not only ignores this but actually glosses over it and portrays Mahinda in a positive light.

The Rajapakse regime has also bombed and shelled civilians indiscriminately after attacks by the LTTE. This is openly acknowledged to be part of its etaliatory strategy. Innocent Tamil civilians are made to bear vicarious responsibility for the alleged acts of the LTTE. Collective punishment is being inflicted on the Tamil people as a whole. Yet the EU does not seem concerned about this negative aspect at all when it gives a clean chit to Rajapakse.

The EU attitude is most disappointing to say the least from a Tamil civilian perspective. Innocent Tamil civilians are being killed, abducted and jailed. It is this government and its agents who are responsible. Yet there is no open criticism of the Government for this. There is no sympathy shown towards the plight of innocent civilians.The LTTE certainly deserves censure but so does the Government. The EU has erred badly in overlooking that aspect.

Such partiality can strengthen Sinhala hawks like Rajapakse further.Already some Sinhala hardliners are cock – a – hoop with glee about the proposed EU listing. Pro – tiger media is lamenting the fact and pushing the line that with the International Community turning against Tamils the LTTE will have no choice other than to fight. Tamils are being exhorted to rally around the tigers.

What is sad in this scenario is to see how the LTTE has lost within three months the advantages gained through participating at the Geneva talks in February this year. The Mahinda Rajapakse regime through some unethical yet adroit manouevres managed to outsmart the LTTE and erode the advantahe gained. The LTTE through some hasty, ill – advised acts has squandered its advantage away and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The LTTE was in bad shape “diplomatically” in January this year. The consequences of three major blunders was having its effect. The three blunders as stated in these columns on March 12th were the Lakshman Kadirgamar assassination, enforced boycott of Presidential elections and escalation of violence against the security forces in the name of the people.

The European Union had already imposed a “travel ban” on the LTTE after the Kadirgamar assassination. The LTTE was being put on probation. Its conduct was to determine any future course of action the EU could take. A full ban was very much on the cards when the LTTE enforced a boycott and stepped up violence.

The LTTE however had a fairy Godfather. Norwegian special peace envoy Erik Solheim campaigned valiantly for a reprieve through the good offices of Nordic Countries in the EU. Solheim also managed to persuade the LTTE into attending the Geneva talks on February 22nd and 23rd.

Doing so helped the LTTE come out of the international dog house. The LTTE was once again being perceived as a credible partner in the peace process.

The talks focussed on the ceasefire and the violence threatening to disrupt it. An agreement was reached where both sides agreed to end it. The Government agreed to end Tamil paramiltary violence in Government controlled areas and disarm the groups. The LTTE agreed to control violence done by Tamil civilian forces.

Both sides had been arguing earlier that both types of violence were being committed by independent parties. They had no part in this they said. The Geneva agreement was a tacit admission that both sides were capable of controlling the respective types of violence.

At face value the LTTE had gained a victory. The tigers had presented details of the Tamil paramilitaries in each North – Eastern district. The Government was now obligated to crack down on the groups. If that happened the LTTE would have won without firing a shot.

But the Colombo regime had some dirty tricks up its sleeve. The problems started when the LTTE delegation landed at Katunayake. The luggage was ransacked. Catalogues of weapons were depicted as contraband and held up for hours. Heavy duty was imposed on some items brought by the tigers. A big fuss was made in accommodating a woman LTTE member on a helicopter. She had fallen sick and required a quick ride. Even more was the humiliation when media carried stories of this treatment.

Then came the rebuttals. Government personalities and eminent lawyers went on record arguing against what had been agreed upon in Geneva. The Army commander said that no paramilitaries were in existence in Govt controlled areas. The Governments position was that it was required to take action only if such a phenomenon existed. Since there were none “officially” nothing further was required.

This act of denial was accompanied by an ironic development. LTTE cadres and supporters were attacked by Tamil paramilitaries in the North and East. But the state was keeping mum. The International community(IC) was lukewarm. An assurance was given earlier that the IC would exert pressure on Colombo to disarm the Tamil groups. But nothing firm was being done. Incidently the IC that was indignant about the Kadirgamar killing was less than concerned about the horrific murder of Joseph Pararajasingham in Church during Christmas mass.

Another irritant was the refusal of the Government to provide helicopter transport to LTTE Eastern commanders to go to Kilinochchi for consultations with the tiger leader. It was true that Colombo was not legally required to provide such transport. But it was a courtesy that could have been extended without a big fuss. This angered the LTTE further.

Thereafter comenced an absurd drama. Instead of offering the simple choice of direct helicopter transport Colombo was coming up with bizarre offers to demonstrate to the world that they were being flexible/ Private aircraft, sea boats, sea planes etc were offered in stages. The tigers played into Government hands by seemingly agreeing and disagreeing. It was really funny to see all these efforts going on instead of deciding on the easy option of using Govt helicopters.

While these moves were on major violence erupted. The state drew blood when assassins from the Karuna faction lodged in EPDP offices in Trincomalee shot dead Trincomalee TNA political leader Vanniyasingham Vigneswaram. The tigers could have utilised the murder politically by pressurising the IC. Instesd of that the LTTE once again resorted to attacking security forces through claymore mines. When one exploded in the market killing civilians of all communities Sinhala – speaking mobs unleashed calculated violence against Tamil civilians. Security forces did not prevent it.

The next LTTE blunder was the suicide bomber attack on military headquarters which killed nine and injured twenty – seven including the Army commander. The Government retaliated by bombing and shelling civilian areas. But it rationalised the attack by saying only LTTE positions were targetted. This was bunkum but the SLMM and IC seemed to buy the explanation. Meanwhile the tigers came in for much criticism for the suicide bomber attack.

Fresh efforts were made to get the EU ban the LTTE. But the Scandinavian factor helped the tigers. A ban could result in monitoring activity being affected. Finland, Sweden and Denmark were monitoring nations. So the LTTE got a reprieve again.

Then came two colossal mistakes by the LTTE. First was the announcement that the tigers would not attend talks again until the state implemented what was agreed upon in Geneva earlier. Whatever the problems the LTTE should have never abandoned talks. Participating at talks was the way to keep the IC wolf at bay.

The second was the friction with the SLMM and attack on the naval flotilla.The LTTE’s “tactical” friends were the SLMM in this bleak scenario. But LTTE political Commissar sent three undiplomatic, intimidatory letters to the SLMM demanding that they do not accompany navy ships. Then came the attack off Point Pedro where the lives of two monitors were endangered.

Instead of being apologetic the LTTE summoned the SLMM chief and ticked him off. They also issued an ultimatum. Earlier the LTTE had treated both facilitator Norway and the SLMM shabbily by refusing to meet with then. The facilitators as well as the monitors were cheesed off with the tigers. The IC was fully backing the SLMM. An insult to the SLMM was an insult to the International Community.

The Government on the other hand handled its cards well. If the name of the game was “talk while you are killing and kill while you are talking” Colombo played it well It began to campaign ardently for a ban on the LTTE. Colombo was clever enough to say that the ban was only a device to exert pressure on the LTTE to attend talks. The IC bought into that argument.

The early years of the ceasefire saw the IC being extra lenient towards the LTTE on the basis that “carrots” were necessary to keep the tigers in the peace process. But now the thinking seemed to be that the “stick”was needed to force the LTTE into talks. The Sri Lankan Government adroitly pushed this line whih was swallowed hook, line and sinker by the IC.

The paradox in this was that it was the LTTE which would have been on top politico – diplomatically at the second round of Geneva talks. It was the Government that had gone back on its assurances first. The tigers could have exercised patience and driven that point home. It was in the LTTE’s interest to go to Geneva again instead of vacillating.

Unfortunately the LTTE resorted to its familiar method of violence. The tigers are reluctant and impatient to follow acceptable, non – violent , democratic methods of protesting or negotiating. They prefer to hit hard as they believe that force is the answer to everything. As a result the LTTE has lost its moral ascendancy and advantages gained in Geneva.

Complicating matters further is the total absence of tactful diplomacy. The “gung ho” letters sent to the SLMM in the name of Thamilselvan are monumental disasters. The statements released on behalf of the LTTE are often drafted in bombastic fashion. The purpose seems to be that of titillating its irresponsible, jingoistic expatriate supporters rather than conveying its viewpoint clearly with credibility.

Diplomacy is a fine art and in the sphere of international relations every word , phrase and sentence need to be drafted carefully. The nuances are very important. The SLMM respone to the LTTE letters show a lack of communication between both sides. The points made could have been effectively put forward if careful craftmanship went into formulating the missives.

The LTTE has a vast resevoir of talented and qualified Tamils to draw on. There are many ex – diplomats and academics with a background in international relations among Tamil expatriates. The LTTE would do well to consult them or make use of their professional input.

Even now the situation is not irreversible. War is not the sole option. If the LTTE transplants the Maoist dictum of “one step backwards two steps forward” into the politico – diplomatic sphere it has a chance of turning things around.

Firstly it has to swallow some humble “kanji” by apologising sincerely to the SLMM and Norway and withdrawing its demands made of the monitors. The LTTE must guarantee SLMM security and SL Navy security.The tigers must reconcile with the SLMM and Norway.

Secondly it must announce that it is ready to participate in Geneva. The Government and sections of the media may ridicule the LTTE as having caved into EU pressure. But the tigers should not heed it too much. The main thing is to demonstrate to the IC that the LTTE is a credible negotiating partner capable of staying the course.

Thirdly tigers can focus attention on the pathetic plight of Tamil civilians. The bombings, shellings , assassinations and civilian massacres etc. The conscience of the IC should be stirred. This of course requires a reduction if not abstention of violence by the LTTE.

There is also another aspect which if followed could turn the tables on Rajapakse. The LTTE could take the fight to Rajapakse politically by announcing that it is prepared to negotiate with the Government on a federal solution. The tigers must set up a time frame. If the LTTE does that the Rajapakse regime would be exposed. Given the Sinhala “hardline” ideology that sustains this government an invitation to transform the unitary to federal would create terrible fissures within its ranks.

The LTTE may have found it difficult to portray the Governments of Chandrika Kumararunga or Ranil Wickremasinghe as being anti – peace or anti – Tamil. But exposing the Rajapakse regime is being unable or unwilling to accept Tamil rights should be easy. For this the LTTE should challenge Rajapakse politically by entering negotiations even as a tactic. Going in for war can only alienate the tigers further from the IC. It would indeed be a sad day for Tamils if the LTTE fails to expose the true colours of this regime.

Let me conclude this piece with a quote from Randolph Bourne. It was cited recently in an editorial in “The Island”.”Diplomacy is a disguised war, in which states seek to gain by barter and intrigue, by the cleverness of arts, the objectives of which they would have to gain more clumsily by means of war”. The LTTE needs to review and revise its politico – diplomatic strategy urgently.

Related:

- [europal.eu] European Parliament resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka

- E.U. may decide to list LTTE as ‘terrorist’ by Friday

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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com

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