A Clarification

In response to my article on Countering the LTTE's Air Capability, I have been in receipt of a large number of queries and comments. A typical comment from a reader and my reply to it are given below:

Comment from the reader: 

"Your article on this matter is intriguing. On more than one occasion, you criticised the current Sri Lankan Govt for refusing to follow up on the peace process agreed to by the previous govt and going aggressive on the LTTE to force its unilateral will on the Tamils, that is, reneging on the previous understanding. Aren't you taking the position that neither the snake should die nor the stick should break in the process? Isn't this a conundrum? While you call other countries to eliminate the TAF capability, shouldn't this be tied to the calling on the same nations to force the current Sri Lankan Govt to come to terms with the peace process that was already agreed to by the previous Govt.? "

My reply: 

Thanks. I have been consistent in my views that:

(a). The Sri Lankan government has been trying for a dictated peace. This should not be accepted by India and other members of the international community.

(b). The Sri Lankan Tamils need the LTTE to protect them from the Sinhalese extremists, but it should be the LTTE minus Prabakaran and others involved in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

(c). India should not have anything to do with the LTTE so long as it is led by Rajiv's assassins. If it removes them, the Govt. of India should give it its full backing.

(d). The LTTE should not be allowed to have its own air and sea capabilities under any circumstance.If it gets away with them, we can't control our own terrorist organisations tomorrow."