SRI Lanka is split into two countries. One controlled by the Sri LankanGovernment and the other where the LTTE’s writ runs. Travel between Colombo andJaffna, the LTTE stronghold, is virtually impossible. For journalists, it is eventougher due to the ban imposed by the Sri Lankan Government . Outlook’s Chief ofBureau in Madras, A . S . Paneerselvan, recently made this dauntingjourney from Colombo.
He started out on September 28 on a wobbly train to reach Vavuniya— the legal aswell as psychological boundary dividing the country. Being a Tamilian helped him mergeinto a crowd that was inching its way towards a check-point at Thandikulam. Afterbeing frisked by Sri Lankan soldiers, he boarded a bus till the last barricade . T hereafter, he crossed an iron bridge which read: "Beyond this at your own risk."
What followed was an arduous cycle ride through no man’s land to where the Tigerterritory began. At the LTTE checkpost he was told he required a clearance from Jaffnato enter. His arrival was radioed to the powers-that- be in Jaffna and he was asked towait in a nearby house. On October 1, he was taken to Killinochi, the last town on themainland. Since the road between Jaffna Peninsula and the mainland is closed, he crossedthe 22-km stretch in an overc rowded boat, reaching Jaffna on October 2. Besides talkingto several local people, he interviewed LTTE’s chief theoretician Dr AntonBalasingham, and head of its civil administration’s Education and Tamil LanguageAffairs, Baby Subramaniam. Excerpts from the only interview granted to the media since therecent offensive was launched by the Sri Lankan Government .
Why did you kill Rajiv Gandhi?
I’ve the same answer for this oft-repeated question. We did not kill Rajiv Gandhi.
The investigations are over and the Special Investigation Team chargesheetclearly states that the LTTE had assassinated Rajiv.
No, the trial is still going on. The Indian Government so far has not proved the LTTE’s involvement in the assassination. As far as Prabhakaran’s extradition isconcerned, it is an academic matter. Everybody knows it’s practically impossible forthe Sri Lankan Government to catch Prabhakaran. The Indian Army was here for two years andcouldn’t do it. The extradition request is a political move to discredit the LTTErather than a practical way to get at the truth .
Why should the LTTE be targeted?
Any comments will have serious implications. We were not involved in the assassinationof Rajiv Gandhi.
Recent Indian intelligence reports say you are planning to eliminate top Indianleaders, including Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.
This is not true. I think some vested interests are spreading these rumours.
What is the role of the LTTE in India?
As far as the LTTE is concerned, we consider India a friendly ally. Even now, wedon’t have any animosity towards the Indian Government and people. We are notinvolved in any insurrectionary or terrorist movements in India. The LTTE will notcontribute to or get involved in the Indian secessionist politics. It is not going to actin any manner inimical to the national and the geopolitical interests of India. Ourstruggle for self-determination here is legitimate. It is primarily because of theintolerable state oppression.
But why should the LTTE generate such a fear psychosis in India?
Our struggle is not properly understood. And that has led to the problems between theIndian Government and the LTTE. India’s intervention at that time was to strengthenthe hands of the Tamil freedom movement. Besides, they had their own political objectives.India thought it should align with the former Soviet Union to prevent the spread of USimperialism in the Indian Ocean. But now in a new world order old alliances have snapped.In this context, India feels that our liberation struggle is no longer valid. Therefore,it is untenable to maintain the present level of hostility towards us. We need the supportof the people, political parties and the Indian Government.
But your internal discussions reveal that you still suspect India. In theMahattaya case (the LTTE deputy leader who was arrested by the Tigers’ intelligencewing in 1993), it was charged that he was collaborating with the Indian State.
The struggle of the Tamil people is legitimate. We have nobody. We have no sympathisersanywhere— neither in Tamil Nadu nor in India. So the Indian position has helped theSri Lankan racist state to intensify its operations. We are concerned that the Indianattitude— which is hostile— helps Sri Lanka in pursuing its ruthless policyagainst our people.
You have not answered my question. There is talk in Jaffna that the variousjail - breaks by LTTE cadres in Tamil Nadu were not jail-breaks but efforts by India tosend back some cadres who could gain access to Prabhakaran and kill him.
I can’t comment on that. There is some element of truth in the R AW intrigues. Weknow very well that they might send agents to kill LTTE leaders or assassinatePrabhakaran. We don’t want to talk about it.
What happened to Mahattaya?
He was arrested and subjected to interrogation for one year. We found him guilty and hewas sentenced to death. He was involved in a plot to kill Prabhakaran and take over theLTTE.
Is there any room for a negotiated settlement now?
You will have to ask the Sri Lankan Government this question because it has ruled out anegotiated settlement. Our door for peace is open. We are for peace provided the SriLankan Government stops the war and creates conditions for normalcy in the north and east.
But they say you unilaterally called off talks and resumed hostilities.
Parleys were held for six months. There were four rounds of talks in Jaffna. Fiftyletters were exchanged between Prabhakaran and Chandrika Kumaratunge. We asked for anembargo relaxation. We asked the government to permit the people to use the land route byrelocating the Pooneryan camp. Mind you, we did not ask for the withdrawal of the camp.These were not the demands of the LTTE, but of the people. If the government wanted toact, it could have done so in 24 hours. If it is not prepared to meet this small demand,how can we expect it to resolve major problems.
What about the latest Lankan offensive?
There is a qualitative difference between the current offensive and the past ones. Thisis the first time that all troops have moved into the Peninsula. Forces have been pulledout of the east and consequently, we have taken it over. Colombo is under an illusionabout winning the war. Even if they take over Jaffna, it will not be a military success.The North-east is a vast area and our guerrilla movement cannot be crushed in conventionalbattle. The Indian Army realised this truth after a two-year bloody conflict. The Lankanforces can take over the territory. But they cannot hold on. We’ll strike back.
But Jaffna Peninsula is not just a territory, it is the symbol and metaphor ofthe LTTE resistance. If the army captures Jaffna, will it not be able to start adialogue with a weakened LTTE?
First, to take over Jaffna is not easy. Secondly, it took the Indian Arm y, a muchlarger and sophisticated force, two months to capture Jaffna. At that time we were a smallforce, but things have changed. We are stronger now. Suppose they succeed in taking overJaffna , they cannot take over the entire territory. Do they want to leave the entireWanni Jungle region and the other three districts in the east to us?
I am not talking about this aspect. What will the metaphorical andpsychological impact of the capture of Jaffna be?
As a guerrilla movement, we do not attach any metaphorical or symbolical importance toany place. We attach importance to mobility. The LT T E will not talk from a position ofweakness. Military pressure will not force us to talk. Concentrating only on the northactually means that the east is virtually free for us. We are not going to keep quietthere .
Do you mean the government is unaware of its vulnerability in the east?
There is no military strategy behind this war. It is the outcome of thegovernment’s desire to dominate Tamils and destroy Jaffna, a desire which has beenthere for 2,000 years. It is not Chandrika’s strategy. Believe it or not, we havebeen fighting the Sinhalese for 2,000 years. The very idea of a military conquest of theTamil people is wrong. It is essentially racism.
What about the present package announced by the government?
With bombs falling on our heads, we do not have time to discuss such proposals.We are at war with the government. We are clearing our guns and have no timeto go through this document. The proposals were not sent to us. The proposal itself is atragedy. It talks of peace through war. It is aimed at deflecting the internationalcommunity’s attention from the ongoing repressions and genocide in the north .
Do you think you can win independence on military terms?
Independence is the wrong word. It is our right to decide our political destiny. Thatis the meaning of "right of self-determination". The LTTE is a result of thestate military operation. For four decades we have had non-violent struggle. We areconfident that one day the Tamils of south India, the Indian Government and the worldcommunity will recognise our legitimate struggle. But if Colombo decides to stop the warand settles for a negotiated settlement, we are prepared to accept it. We have evensuggested that a federal form of autonomy is acceptable to us.
Very few believe that you are ready for a plural society. The forceful evictionof the Muslims from the north is cited as an example of your intolerance.
It was an unfortunate affair and we apologise. But there was communal tension and weasked them to leave the place without doing any harm to them. It was a mistake. We havetold them that they have an inalienable right to live in peace in the North-east. Oncenormalcy is restored, they can return to their homes.
Prabhakaran has been compared by some to Mandela, by others to Arafat, Netaji,Stalin, Hitler or Pol Pot. How do you describe him?
Prabhakaran is a national hero. He is a military genius too. One essential differencebetween Prabhakaran and the other leaders is his deep commitment to the cause. Even underIndian military pressure he was prepared to die rather than give up. He is generallymisunderstood by others. Our methods of warfare are unacceptable to various people. ButPrabhakaran as well as our movement had survived precisely because of these. This is theonly struggle that has been going on for 20 years without any assistance from any where.The willingness of our cadres to die for our cause must be viewed as self-sacrifice ratherthan as self-destruction. This structure which has been created by Prabhakaran must beunderstood and not undermined.
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