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“I feel the second round will certainly take place, because unlike the previous times, the LTTE strategy has always been to come to negotiations under some form of pressure or the other. Then at a crucial time they leave the table, on some flimsy excuse or the other. But because of international pressure I don’t think it will happen now,” says Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minster Mangala Samaraweera, in a HardTalk interview to the Daily Mirror of April 8th.

Answering to concerns about increasing speculations being raised that the second round of the peace talks may not take place as scheduled and if the Foreign Minister is worried, Mr. Samaraweera expressed his cautious optimism.

Further explaining in detail the Minister said, “The western world has understood the LTTE in its proper context, with the EU, the Co Chairs and India playing a very significant role. The travel ban in EU after the assassination of Kadirgamar, had a strong effect on the LTTE.Since President Rajapaksa took over with the escalation of violence, the EU took a very strong stand, warning LTTE of serious consequences if they don’t return to the table.

So this time the LTTE know they really can’t play truant. They maybe making all sorts of noises, for the benefit of their rank and file. Another factor is, that the President and his new approach to the peace process and his patience and restraint is also greatly appreciated and his pragmatic approach is the last chance for us to find a negotiated settlement.”

Text of Interview:

Q: Unless there is pressure from the government to move to substantive issues, instead of running around the CFA violations, isn’t this round too going to be a waste of time and energy?

A: Well, not quite a waste of time. We still think the CFA is greatly flawed. We have to differentiate between the ceasefire and the CFA. As far as the ceasefire is concerned we are all for it but the CFA is so flawed that it actually allowed the LTTE to strengthen themselves and collect the so-called attributes of nationhood, which they have been doing in the last few months. The recent article on the legislation on Eelam lands Act., is an example of all that has been made possible by the CFA. So if we are to strengthen the ceasefire we need to cover the loopholes. Which is why we started talking about that in the first round, and in the second round, as you rightly say conclude talking about the CFA and move on to issues. At the next round we need to talk about the normalization of life in the NE, because if the CFA is implemented we can assume that things are back to normal. This is something enjoyed in this part of the country Unfortunately the so-called liberal sections of the west forget this aspect because they are swayed by the politics of the underdog, and assume that the underdog is always right.

What they forget is that the LTTE and the Tamil interests are two different things. The majority of Tamils live outside areas of LTTE control. The ones left there are the poorest of Tamil society, who are oppressed by the LTTE and their democratic rights denied. Their children are spirited away to fight, they pay enormous sums in illegal taxes and kangaroo courts sentence them to Byzantine punishments. What we are doing is to liberate the Tamil people from the clutches of the LTTE. We don’t think war is the answer. Which is why we want to negotiate across a table and not in the jungles of Vanni with guns and bullets.

Q: But what about LTTE claims and conditions of disarming armed groups in the NE? Are they really valid?

A: I feel they are trying to build up a case to play truant. If you look at the post-Geneva violations of the CFA, there have been 43 incidents, three of these are serious which have happened in the so-called areas of LTTE control. The suicide attack on the navy craft proved that the LTTE still indulges in suicide attacks. The West is looking at it. A recent study by the Institute of Strategic Studies in London which is a counter terrorism think- tank in the world, has found that the suicide attack in London was very similar to those used in Sri Lanka. Many believe there is an element of technological transfer between the LTTE and Islamic terrorists. It’s being seriously investigated in the US and Europe. That shows the LTTE are still using suicide techniques and killings are taking placeoutside the cleared areas.

Some are attributed to Karuna. some to the government troops and the government is making a detailed report to be submitted at the next round of talks. The government will not tolerate any kind of armed groups within our areas including that of the LTTE.

The SLMM had made a curious statement recently saying that they met some armed Karuna cadres. According to them these men have come up and volunteered information! It’s rather strange to say the least! A responsible agency like the SLMM should refrain from making such claims.

Q: The role of the SLMM itself had been critical in this issue, with allegations of a bias towards the LTTE. The SLMM Chief recently claimed the LTTE were freedom fighters despite them being categorized terrorists by the international community. Do you feel this bias?

A: The SLMM has being doing a difficult job. But having said that yes, I also feel that unfortunately there is a lack of understanding of the Sri Lankan context among the foreign elements involved in this issue. No one in their right mind would call the LTTE freedom fighters. Would any group fighting for their people kill the brightest of their leaders? No one fighting for their people would oppress them so much. The Tamil people have less freedom in LTTE controlled areas than in the South. Those who are willing to know,, know that Prabhakaran is no Nelson Mandela. The LTTE is a violent fascist group based around a megalomaniac. We have to see the problem for what it is. We can’t have romanticism here. The other factor the West needs to understand is that the concept of a sole representative is not acceptable in any democratic society. You can’t say that Tamil society has no other views? The day that the LTTE comes to a democratic path is the day we must all lay out the red carpet and welcome them.

Q: Talking of the red carpet. The Norwegians have been accused to laying it out to them in Norway, completely ignoring protocol. How fair is this treatment by a facilitator to a process?

A: The facilitating of a peace process as that of ours is no easy task, but I also feel that they have to be more sensitive to the political realities of a country. No facilitator would write a script and then come and hope everything will fit in to that script. It must be understood that Sri Lanka is no Sudan, Israel or Palestine. They must be sensitive to the needs of the issues in the country. They mustn’t do anything to hinder the progress of the consensus the new President has built. For the first time all political parties have agreed on the government’s stand. Some parties have even agreed to Norwegian facilitation even with their reservations. So to give such a high level welcome in Norway to a group which is yet to even verbally renounce violence wasn’t good for Norway’s image. That isn’t even easy for political management at this end. It has created a lot of resentment here. Norway needs to be more careful and sensitive to Sri Lankan public opinion. And this opinion does not mean a few peace NGOs in Colombo. There is a need for LTTE to be flexible and come to talks in a spirit of compromise.

Q: Don’t you feel that the West has a set of double standards in dealing with terrorism in countries like ours and that of theirs?

A: They did and some still do, but in the mainstream there is a great deal of sympathy for the Sri Lankan situation. Of course this only was expressed after the West experienced the brutality of terrorism.

Q: But how receptive have these countries been to the plight of the Tamil diaspora for example, in Europe?

A: We are very concerned about them, although technically they are foreign passport holders. They have been intimidated and harassed in a horrendous manner. The LTTE fund raising has become very sophisticated. This goes against the laws in these countries. We have asked them to go in to fund collections and see what the Tamil charities like TRO are up to. Most countries are taking these issues seriously.

Q: But violations like the plight of child soldiers which normally constitute serious humanitarian issues in the West, fails to go beyond warnings where the LTTE is concerned?

A: Yes,but at least even the warnings were welcome. However you are right and I hope the EU will seriously take up this issue and deal with the LTTE. The new Envoy has apparently done work on child soldiers in central Africa and he can now get first hand experience here.

Q: But how receptive do you think the West would’ve been if the government were to issue say, a shoot-at-sight against terrorists here as they did in London hours after the bombing? Wouldn’t human rights ‘concerns’ not have intervened then?

A: You are absolutely right. If we even thought of it there would’ve been such a huge hue and cry, but again we can’t only blame the government, the media needs to be mindful of these double standards. I don’t endorse such shootings myself.

Q: I’m not saying we do it but isn’t there such a double standard in treating this issue?

A: Yes that kind of tough message should be the same in whatever country such incidents take place.

Q: How concerned should we be of the threats by the LTTE on restarting the war?

A: We are always concerned. We don’t see war as an option. But while talking peace we must be prepared for all such possibilities. We can’t be naïve and think they will do nothing.

Q: The LTTE threatens to pull out of talks if you don’t grant them any other exit route outside of the Katunayake airport to leave for Geneva as demanded. Will you concede?

A: No. Like all citizens of this country they have to exit from the gazetted exit point of this country. Otherwise they will have to stay at home. We really can’t mollycoddle them. They have to show they are serious, and not ask for special concessions. We have already made concessions for them. Such excuses will not carry much water.