Video: Inappropriate to say Tamils are “trapped” – LTTE
LTTE political head Nadesan-IBN interview via email:
The LTTE political chief has said it is inappropriate to use the word “trapped” to describe the present situation of Tamils in Vanni. He pointed out that Sri Lanka government is attempting to continue with the uprooting of Tamils from their own land, in an email interview with Indian TV IBN.
The source of strength and security for India’s southern flank is intertwined with the political stability and security of Eelam Tamils, political head of LTTE further said in the interview.
Full text of the interview:
CNN-IBN: How do you respond to Sri Lanka government’s claim that the LTTE is blocking a safe passage for civilians trapped in your areas?
Nadesan: First of all, it is not appropriate to use the word “trapped.” It is these people’s land, where they have been living for generations until the Sri Lankan government chased them out of their homes. They are not trapped; they are still struggling to get their life back in their land with dignity.
CNN-IBN: Where is Prabhakaran at the moment?
Nadesan: As you said, yes, there are rumours and speculations. But I can confirm that our leader is here with our people as always.
CNN-IBN: What do you think the LTTE can do to change India’s stand on the conflict?
Nadesan: We have neither ever committed any act against India’s interests nor have any intentions to do so. The source of strength and security for India’s southern flank is intertwined with the political stability and security of Eelam Tamils.
CNN-IBN: Would the LTTE chief be willing to meet Indian government officials and hold talks with them?
Nadesan: If the talks are without preconditions and towards the political aspirations of Eelam Tamils. India is the super power of this region; India is our friend. We always want India to get involved and be on our side.
CNN-IBN: Does the LTTE feel that politicians in Tamil Nadu are using the Eelam Tamil issue for domestic political gains?
Nadesan: It is obvious that all political parties have their differences of policies regarding domestic affairs; it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on that. However, the Eelam Tamils sincerely appreciate the solidarity of all the people of Tamil Nadu. The strength of Eelam Tamils today is the support of the people of Tamil Nadu and the entire Tamil diaspora.
Nadesan declined to answer this question:
CNN-IBN: Does the LTTE feel that had it not been for the Rajiv Gandhi assassination, India would have supported the Eelam Tamil cause? Does the LTTE regret the Rajiv Gandhi assassination?
M.Thiru said,
March 22, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
It is sad the successive Sinhalese majority lead governments of Srilanka since 1948 and the present Mahinda regime are not accepting that Tamils have been forced out of their traditional habitats in the North and East and at many other times from their habitats in Colombo and other areas of SL or harassed to leave, or through fear on their own left their habitats. These are for various reasons. But often boasting successive GOSL about their model parliamentary democracy in Asia that is the oldest, has been misearably failing in providing good democratic governance. Sadly the IC, India and the International Institutions too are failing in their responsibility and duties and are with the Mahinda regime without any proper interim measures to stop the Tamils being bombed, shelled,killed and displaced from their homes, in the name of Mahinda regime as a democratically elected State player and fight against terrorism.
For me as a supporter of LSSP until 1972, the IC,India and UN is helping the Mahinda regime to kill and diaplce as many Tamils as possible from the NE, so that the 99% Sinhalese Armed forces can occupy the NE of the country until with the foreign fund they can colonise the NE with Sinhalese and change the demographic pattern, so that Tamils have no homeland to go for saftey and security as in the past since 1948. Since 1948 there has been engineered demographic change in the NE in clever ways using the majoritarian rule. But now they do it openly with the military might with aids ( military and finance ) the IC from the West and the East including India and Pakistan.
Rasika, USA said,
March 30, 2009 @ 6:36 am
First of all tamils invaded SL territory in the 1500ad, just jafna, the east was invaded by tamil slaves to work. they never had permanent settlements. it’s been under king of kandy before being taken over, so your eelam should have been only jafna, which was a temporary invading force, infact 95% of the places in jafna are also singhalee names, ex wadamarchchi, thenemarachchi, kodigama, alimankada, kokavila just to name a few. so your claims of an eelaam never exsited. infact eelaam means land of the Singhalese.