LTTE is Work-In-Progress

Going by what I saw recently I would optimistically say that LTTE is “work-in-progress.” It goes without saying it is so true when one examines their overall performance in Geneva. They lack the right negotiation skills or the desire to bring an end to this blood bath that perpetrated on all citizens of Sri Lanka.

One may have missed fact that the GOSL can mobilize a capable negotiating team from a pool of highly talented and educated in the South. However, the same cannot be said of LTTE who had for decades had:

• Alienated the educated yesteryear Tamils or murdered them whether it is based on their caste struggle or in fear of political vulnerability
• They have disrupted the school life of young ones by forcing them to carry guns and cyanide capsules
• Instead of cultivating a new multi-skilled generation to strengthen the glorious Eelam they have permitted the only education - the teaching of their doctrine

The dearth of intelligentsia in LTTE should have raised red flags for the GOSL early on for the simple reason that LTTE does not receive sound advice when needed to strike a reasonable deal. The simple fact is we are dealing with a set of thugs who have no scruples and show scant regard for accountability at al levels. For example, they are only accountable for their supremo, certainly not for Tamils population they claim to represent. The real cause of this tragedy stems from several decades of purging by the LTTE which has systematically denied Tamils the right to challenge their dogma. Moreover they never miss the opportunity to decimate all childhood learning opportunities that would have supported a Tamil renaissance under the LTTE. Instead they preferred to devise a program called “child soldiers” to educate them on barbarism.

Such is the plight of LTTE today. Those who are running the affairs under their supremo were once child soldiers themselves. They were recruited when they were just learning to read and write, shaped to think like humanoid and were never exposed to the world at large. In the comfort of their own world they have restricted the development of sound mental discipline to understand that living side-by side is a virtue. Indeed, we see a complete depletion of intellect to guide the LTTE through rough and smooth times.

Their exhibition in Geneva was no accident. The LTTE has become so dissolute that their delegation had to rely on the self appointed spokesman, Anton Balasignham, to translate back and forth everything that was said. Can anyone blame of him for any misunderstanding as result of meanings of statements ‘lost in translation’? And where was the Tamil intelligentsia that so proudly proclaimed they are the “master race” in Sri Lanka? Why didn’t they rush to Geneva to aid the LTTE when they so dreadfully needed? The reality is that they are MIA (missing in action)! Either they are absconding or unwelcome.

Perhaps the only bright aspect the LTTE has is the right to boast that they are the only cash rich terrorist entity today. They have more cash than any rebels outfit in the world. One could ask how so? Simple they bleed the Tamil Diaspora via extortion, intimidation, threats, and international human and narcotic trafficking. Without having to declare any earnings for tax purposes anywhere, the cash is hidden in off-shore bank vaults for arms purchases only. This takes place while the Tamil populace in the North and East is suffering without access to good schools, hospitals, roads etc. While claiming to be fighting for a separate land over the years they have neglected their own people without providing even the basic services, but they chose to set on hundred of millions of dollars. For sure never ever miss an opportunity to blame GOSL for the woes of Tamils. This not so with organizations like HAMAS and FATAH, they do look after their own in spite of all hardship, but such generosity is NOT a priority for the LTTE. This is the inspiration Tamils get from their so called ‘freedom fighters.’

From Oslo heaven Thamilselvan alleged that they were ‘deceived” by the GOSL in Geneva, I must that is an astute observation coming from a former LTTE child-soldier and pistol-gang member. Can you blame him for lack of foresight? Despite the violence of decades GOSL never gave up on our youth, their right for an education the serve our nation. Unlike the Tamils, I am confident that we are fully equipped to handle the LTTE on the long run because the LTTE’s work-in-progress never intended to have an ending.

LTTE FOOLED IN GENEVA

“Before the talks, Anton Balasingham was known to have told many members of the Tamil media that the Sri Lanka delegation would receive their biggest "orientation" course from him in Geneva. As the talks ended, it seems it is Mr. Balasingham and his fellow delegates who have now received a fuller "orientation" course from the Sri Lankan side.” (from Col. Karuna’s website - http://tamilalai.org)

How interesting that after bamboozling the CFA for three years the LTTE is now showing considerable determination to hold the GOSL to conform to what they failed to live by. Thamilselvan claims that they have been duped by the GOSL, yes indeed they were. The euphoria over their triumph in Geneva is short lived. I suppose Balasingham, the self-proclaimed only English speaker for the LTTE at the talks has plenty to explaining to do to the LTTE, how and why the legal aspects were overlooked. Can we call him Calamity Bala?

I predicted a few hours ago that there is an entrapment awaiting the LTTE and it is revealing as I write this.

Just because there was an agreement of such magnitude, it does not necessarily become legitimate. The fact is, as things stand the CFA itself is invalid until President Rajapakse signs a new truce with the LTTE. Will he? Even the existing 2002 CFA is illegal since it was signed only by PM Wickremasinghe and not by the then President Kumaratunga. Such procedure is common to all countries and it is very strange that why the LTTE was not aware of it. To me it exposes their utter disdain to law and order, and how incoherent they are generally running things within a legal framework.

It further strengthen the long standing view that LTTE is a bunch of rag tag insurgents lacking the scholarly attributes to engage in a cultured manner that any modern civil society would function. Understanding civil order is key to successfully govern people, to adhere to law and order, and meet the UN Charter of Rights. For several decades we have witnessed their contempt for life and civic rights of all people under their rein. To slip up as they did in Geneva speaks volumes about their incapacity as a dependable group. Nevertheless Sri Lanka is stuck with them until we find a lasting solution.

We would imagine that they had marched into Geneva with the best legal minds the Tamil Eelam could muster and expected to slice GOSL arguments like a hot knife going through butter. But little they knew that the CFA they signed 2002 has no legitimacy and they were brazen enough not to consult a Tamil constitutional expert to read the fine print if there were any. To assume that just because there were foreign witnesses to the agreement in 2002 it was automatically endorsed by the international community. Sri Lankan law supersedes all in this case. Pulithevan, the head of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, believed that all is hunky-dory just because a joint statement was issued regarding the contents of the agreement, it does not make it valid until the head of state signs it. That is how constitutional matters work. Boy, this is fun!

My question to LTTE is if the CFA is such a valid and binding accord, then why did they fail to live by it for three years? And how come their saviours, the SLMM, recorded 5500 odd LTTE violations?

To claim that that they were only talking about implementing the CFA and there was no discussion about amendment or redraft or a review of CFA shows how naïve they are. The fact is LTTE prevented doing exactly that by threatening to walk away if the amendments to the CFA was raised.

It appears that the GOSL is too smart for LTTE shenanigans, they were right to point out that the understanding reached in Geneva does not give credibility to the original agreement (CFA) though the LTTE wishes now, but this purports to explains vagueness and reservations created by the original agreement.

Furthermore, the GOSL’s position is that simply agreeing to disarm the paramilitaries was “nothing but to obey the law of the country and it is already mentioned in the original CFA. There is nothing new offered to the LTTE to get so thrilled about.

What is obvious is that the LTTE came to the Geneva talk with less expectation and felt that they bargained hard enough to go home happy to tell the good news to the LTTE supremo. Knowing how explosive the supremo can be I wonder what awaits the delegation in Killinochchi? Anyone for political asylum?

Is it important who won in Geneva?

Claims and counter claims are the next best strategy by both the GOSL and the LTTE following the much watched peace talks since the conflict began. It was clear that both parties arrive in Geneva with the intention of winning the public opinion and sympathy for their position.

Let’s look at what LTTE came out with. Soon after President Rajapakse came to office LTTE made the critical decision to attack the security forces without provocation calculating that this type of intimidation can be a great bargaining tool at peace talks at a later date. This was an out-and-out violation of the CFA and with their brutal risk taking history to backup their ploy saw to that GOSL seek cessation of such assault in the future. Simply said, it hurt the GOSL bad enough to ask for it. As matter of fact, this issue should not have been a talking point in the first place at Geneva had LTTE stick to the CFA in the first place. A non issue made to the GOSL’s wish list when other pressing matters like LTTE violations and child soldiers could have received more attention. On this issue LTTE gained.

Yet in the opening remarks I could not help notice Balasingam mentioned “paramilitaries” twenty five times more than any issue. It shows how desperate and close they are to loosing the East. Even though LTTE got assurance from the GOSL to stamp out Karuna, surely LTTE knows fully well that the paramilitaries do not operate in GOSL controlled areas and the GOSL do not have the resources to disarm them anyway. More importantly to us as much as the LTTE did in the past, the GOSL will hoodwink on this issue for sure. Perhaps we can say that this is symbolic victory for the LTTE cohorts to brag about before bedtime.

As always there are snags the LTTE has to overcome. There are convincing humanity issues that LTTE never want to discuss at any forum, such as respect of life, Tamils’ right to exercise democratic values, to accept others’ view points etc. As a negotiating partner LTTE has to convince that they are capable of adhering to any agreement. Lacking such conviction from LTTE is the root cause of all ills. Therefore, GOSL is absolutely right to demand that both parties revisit the CFA to iron out the loopholes that Norwegians and LTTE handily crafted to abuse. For sure those propitious for LTTE must end bring fairness to GOSL. For that reason alone the need to amend the CFA was highlighted in the GOSL’s well done opening remarks without mincing any words.

When no amendment to the CFA was mention in the closing statement, LTTE felt it was necessary to self-praise their negotiation success at the talks. But contrary to that claim, the GOSL rightly argues today that the CFA was technically amended. Although not mentioned in the 2002 CFA, the end to child recruitment by LTTE, they also agreed to prevent any form of violence and could not put the blame on "civilians" for the violence, put an end to all violence were included in the final understanding.

This I see this as a major victory for the GOSL in the world’s public opinion, that LTTE’s attempt to absolve itself from its CFA violations and now having to take responsibility to correct a wrong is a clear victory to the GOSL, a position that GOSL had held despite LTTE’s denials. It leads to the restriction of the LTTE’s child recruitment program which they heavily depend on for its long term survival. A shortfall in cadre is the biggest drawback they are facing right now. The Tsunami helped GOSL’s cause by wiping out nearly two thousand cadres and the LTTE never recovered from that dearth. The GOSL ought to stick to this issue like life depends on it, to dry out the LTTE in the long run making it their HIV in their blood stream.

In spite of their spirited objections to making any amendments to the CFA they will eventually cave-in at a later date when they see that if the smooth implementation of the existing CFA (from their point of view) would not provide any more advance protection if they so wish to proceed further in the talks. At that time the GOSL would need to stand firm to insist amendments to the CFA to preclude progress.
Peace talks are all about give and take. We all can take the high ground and demand that scum like LTTE has no place in the civilized world, and that they should seek forgiveness from the civilized world prior to seeking peace just when they are so desperate.

I can not fathom why a blood thirsty dictator like Prabhakaran is even contemplating peace talks when he so frequently gloats about the military success that will bring their ultimate goal closer. Even a dictator has limitations and we are seeing that as our advantage.

For those who grumble thinking that the GOSL lost the first round, here is something to mull over, why would the LTTE return for talks unless they have something to gain? The art of negotiating is all about building trust and implementing the understandings in good faith. The longer we drag these talks the better the GOSL will get the better of LTTE. I believe this is a case of entrapping the hunted at the opportune time.

Soon LTTE will realize that there is a limit to how much they can stretch the real story behind their armed struggle.

Tiger Humour to break ice

If a Vanni LTTE and a Karuna follower are both drowning, and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the paper?

What do You call 1000 LTTE at the bottom of the sea? - A good start.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How do You get a LTTEer out of a tree? - Cut the rope.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the difference between a LTTE and a catfish? - One's a bottom-crawling scum sucker, and the other is a fish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the difference between a dead dog on the road and a dead LTTE by the road? - There are skid marks in front of the dog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why won't sharks attack LTTE? - Professional courtesy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do You have when a LTTE is buried up to his neck in sand? - Not enough sand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What do you get when you cross the Godfather with a LTTE? - An offer you can't understand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why is it that many LTTEers have no fingers? - From assembling suicide jackets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Where can you find a good LTTE? - In the martyrs’ cemetery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the difference between a LTTE and a gigolo? - A gigolo only screws one person at a time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the difference between a LTTE and a vampire? - A vampire only sucks blood at night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you see a LTTEer on a bicycle, why don't you swerve to hit him? - It might be your bicycle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A man form Vanni goes to a brain store to get some brain for dinner.He sees a sign remarking on the quality of professional brain offered at this particular brain store. So he asks the butcher:"How much for Engineer brain?""3 dollars an ounce.""How much for politician brain?""4 dollars an ounce.""How much for LTTE brain?""100 dollars an ounce.""Why is LTTE brain so much more expensive?""Do you know how many LTTE you need to kill to get one ounce of brain?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're trapped in a room with a Vanni LTTE, a cobra and a pit bull. You have a gun with two bullets. What should you do? -Shoot the Vanni LTTE. Twice and choke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A man and an alligator walked into a bar. "Do you serve LTTE here?", the man asked.-"Sure do," replied the bartender.-"Good," said the man. "Give me a beer, and I'll have an LTTE for my alligator."

LTTE’S GLOATED TERRORISM IN PERSPECTIVE

AN ABSENCE OF POSITIVE REFLECTIONS

DID is a word of Achievement!
Embarking on a meaningless war, killing Sinhala/Tamil/Muslim civilians in throng

WON’T is a word of Rebellion!
Giving up Terrorism and joining the democratic process to serve Tamils as the civilized do

CAN’T is a word of Defeat and Fear!
Tell the truth and apologies to Tamils for the failed insurrection and misleading

MAYBE is a word of Procrastination!
Give false hopes to Tamils contradicting the realism and wisdom in the 21st century

MIGHT is a word of Mediocrity!
Lack of charismatic leadership and candor to speak for all Tamils without slaughter of people they so care about

TRY is a word of Little!
Vacillating on pragmatism of peace while Tamils suffer - terrified to ask if Tamils are better off today than before?

CAN is a word of Power and Self-determination!
Become sane and join the peace process to earn the respect of Tamils

OUGHT is a word of Duty!
Explain the falsehood of the lost war and accept the responsibility for the pain caused to Tamils

WILL is a word of Courage!
Realization of the plight of Tamils today and prevent further infliction of suffering to Tamils

DOING is a word of Progress and Fulfillment!
Disarm, sign a peace treaty, join the civilization and engage in nation building

DONE is a word of Success!
Bring justice for Tamils by giving up autocratic rule through devolution of power and running for public office to serve Tamils

HAMAS gain an inspiration to LTTE

Palestinian chose to vote for HAMAS and now their effort to gain universal recognition should be viewed by Sri Lankans as bad news. Not because they have a hidden agenda to arm and train the LTTE, but the dire inspiration the LTTE gets from imitating fellow terror brothers in the Middle East. I have no doubt that the sinister heads of LTTE are watching the developments with deep interest a) the threat of worldwide prohibition and b) to see if HAMAS could get away without renouncing terrorism. Soon this is what they hope to copy word for word to lay the foundation to argue that they are their peoples’ choice as much as the HAMAS are to Palestinians!

Given that both organizations have so much in common: A well structured administration with discipline, creative fund raising schemes, able foot soldiers to carryout the misdeeds, possess safe heavens for arm smuggling, suicide bomb making facilities and expertise to ignite at will, and their unwillingness to end terrorism!

But at the same time there is a very significant distinction between the two - the desire to get elected by the very people they claim to represent. George Bush and his cronies advocate democratic rights of people around the world by exercising the right for free vote to diminish the threat of global terrorism. So they thought! The very thing HAMAS did was to outsmart the US by participating in a democratic election and got elected. It was a risk they took, so thought the West, but HAMAS knew they had enough support from their people to claim a surprise win at a critical juncture of the Palestinian history. As we say a win is a win, they achieved their objective to pose a serious legitimate threat now to Israel and the US in the region via democracy. Who would have thought this is what democracy forces us to accept – terrorists at the dinner table! However, the West is not that naïve; they will impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority soon if HAMAS doesn’t renounce terrorism.

Fear not my friends, needless to say the task that LTTE faces is a Herculean if they are to follow the HAMAS act in anticipation of worldwide acceptance for their brutal cause. The crucial advantage that is in favour of Sri Lankans is that LTTE is not so popular with Tamils (as they widely claim) as much as Hams are with the Palestinians, and we must be relieved at that. In one sense we must not only challenge the LTTE seek the mandate of the Tamils but invite the world opinion to support such a claim before making ANY significant concessions to LTTE in Geneva.

Brothers-in-arm they may be with the HAMAS, but the LTTE has a long way to go to claim they could fit into round holes when they are so square like the misfits of the highest kind in the civilized world.

Given this scenario the only option to outfox the LTTE is for the government of Sri Lanka to insist that Tamils be given the opportunity to exercise their right to vote which the LTTE denied the last time? A call for a plebiscite may sound like a risky venture, but I ask have you ever heard the LTTE demanding such a call ever either? If they haven’t so far, then they must have very serious doubts over their success? This leads to my contention that LTTE is pretty terrified of Tamil opinion knowing fully well that they have ripped the hearts of innocent Lankan Tamils and bled them in their quest for the Tamil nation.

Conclusion: They can not imitate HAMAS at will even though they desperately wish.

From Quebec (Canada) we have serious lessons to learn. At the recent elections, the separatists were outwitted in their own game. Any vote less than 50% from the voters is a defeat for separatism! If the Norwegians are that seriously involved, let’s get the EU participation during a general election to vote on a plebiscite. I contend that you will never see LTTE gets more than 40% in spite of voter intimidation. This will give the nation the right to wipe out a troublesome terror threat.

Do you hear me President Rajapakse?