India and LTTE: “Out of the box”
By K.T. Kumaran
“We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who our friends are,” is the mind of the doyen of international diplomacy, Dr. Henry A. Kissinger.
For India in the midst of its emergence as a future global powerhouse and wanting to do that in a conflict free regional environment, the Tamils in the island nation off of its Southern tip are natural allies. In fact no other people in the region would look to India with such deep seeded close ties and affection. The umbilical connection of “Mother India” and “Eelam Tamils”, severed only in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
However, response to comments made by LTTE Theoretician to an Indian TV network calling for close relationship between India and LTTE on June 27th is largely negative from the government of India, Congress Party and to the editorials of the nations’ prominent dailies.
The responses are tragically addressing the “LTTE” as still being at the central issue and very little attention is being given to see that the implications of this estrangement policy is hurting all Tamils.
The Tamils in the island nation simply want their political rights and dignity. However, emotions are in the way of making rational decisions (rightfully perhaps) towards a new era. This eventually will hinder chances to bring about a speedy negotiated political settlement for Tamils of North-East.
Many primary political parties in Tamil Nadu have not forwarded responses as of yet. However, the tone seems to be set from elsewhere around India.
The Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) member, Mr Shantaram Naik is urging Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, “not to forgive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the brutal killing of the late prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi.” Mr Naik, who is also a secretary of the All India Congress Committee and in-charge of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep, in a letter to Dr Singh is being quoted in the press, have said that “India and Indians are magnanimous in their approach over several issues, but not over an issue like the Rajiv Gandhi killing.”
In searching through the tenet of Henry A. Kissinger’s foreign policy realism, one would find that many a times he had said that nations act in their self-interest. Their diplomacy is driven not by emotion or abstract moral principle or past practice, but by the bedrock of mutual interest.
Even though some reports are indicating this as a “clever move” by LTTE leader Dr. Balasingham to confuse the people, the LTTE wouldn’t have been anticipating a fairy tale ending to this issue in the aftermath of the interview either. However, a dialogue on this basis has to take place for the mutual benefit of all those who yawn a peaceful settlement to the crisis in the island country. Especially important will be stand by Tamil Nadu in the coming months. But LTTE too will have to make several more actions that may be viewed favorably in the international arena. Gestures have to be made thinking “outside the box”.
Dr. Kissinger, as the 56th Foreign Secretary of the United States played a crucial role in the 1972 talks with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai that concluded with the “opening” of China and the formation of a new strategic anti-Soviet Sino–American alliance.
The Octogenarian Statesman, speaking recently on Iran developing Nuclear technology, emphasized, “Iran must realize that its national interest doesn’t conflict with ours. If the Iranian concern is security and development of their country, this is compatible with American interests.” Connecting to the global economy could soon make it a regional economic powerhouse, comparable to South Korea he argued.
The struggle by Tamil people for political rights in the island nation is nothing new to India. It was a birth defect, starting from the disfranchisement of the tea plantation workers at a stroke of a pen by the government of Sri Lanka’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanyake.
Colombo has gone thru many a facades of leadership, from SWRD Bandaranaike, Junius Richard Jayawardane, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and now Mahinda Rajapakse. In each occasion except during the unfortunate ‘estrangement’ period while CBK was in office, India was/will be checkmated one way or the other, with the Tamils islandwide shouldering the brunt of the consequences.
For India, there is no compelling reason to put full faith in Colombo that fails to uphold pluralism and secularism and virtually has no separation of religion and state in its day to day governing; the continuing shadow war targeting civilians and systematic drive away of Tamils from Trincomalee for example are by design in the long run would pave Colombo to navigate freely in the ocean and chose its allies and future destiny.
But in India, “it is not an absence of religions but the presence of religious pluralism,'’ is the concept of secularism, according to her nominee for the UN Secretary General, Shashi Tharoor. Tamils of the island too are the kind thats enthralled in the song of Tamil poet of the Pre-Christinan Sangham era Kaniyan Poongundranar’s “Yaathum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir” which the renowned Catholic Tamil Scholar Rev Fr. Xavier Thaninayagam translated as “All the world is my world, all humanity is my fraternity”.
Addressing the United Nations in 1980, former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi provided a sense of pride to the Tamil people all over the world when she quoted these memorable lines of Kaniyan Poonggundranaar.
The amity of the Tamils of the island is in line with India’s vision of emerging as an economic powerhouse. The only country with a vast ocean named after it, sure deserves to have this century named after her too.
Still take another example, the 40th President of the USA, President Ronald Reagan, calling Libya as a “pariah nation” and hence bringing the Tamil word “Pariah” into the American political lexicon. This happened in the aftermath of a 1988 terrorist bombing of Panam Airlines over Lockerbie, Scotland which killed 270 people including many Americans.
Families of some victims still being opposed, Washington conducted several years of secret negotiations, and few weeks ago, full diplomatic ties have been established between the two countries. Many mutual interests are being touted between the countries, starting from access to oil fields.
Every situation around the world of course is different.
It remains to be seen if the LTTE Theoretician Dr. Balasingham’s move is a pinnacle of his astuteness. The LTTE leader at many times has outsmarted rivals at the negotiating table by his wit and vigor, the very latest being at the Chateau de Bossey past Spring.
May be he is taking cue from Dr. Henry A. Kissinger in being “out of the box”.
Based on just opened publication by the National Security Archive, Dr. Kissinger as s a diplomatic emissary was almost “recklessly frank - gossiping, teasing, wheedling and flattering”.
Other: Henry Kissinger - The Nobel Prize for 1973
Victor, USA :
June 29, 2006 @ 2:23 am
In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. It is all come down to diplomacy, when and where to shake the hands.
I would like to see the full interview contents of Dr.Balasingam too as it was stated in some media that contents of some parts of his interview was blacked out?
Canaga Willeton :
June 29, 2006 @ 4:14 am
A well argued case. However, it is a very senstive issue to India.
Mistakes were made, whether in frustration or otherwise, a mistake is a mistake, it is one’s realisation of this that should be apprecited.
In all the articles and arguments, it appears that the Eelam tamil’s lives are of no worth, and that they can be killed with impunity, and no one bothers. It is only when someone from the other side is killed (not refering to rajiv Gandhi here) that everyone jumps up and down. Why is this?
I was in Jaffna when the Indian offensive took place. Went there to spend five days, but had to spend six weeks. I was made aware of all the day to day atrocities and the the cry of rape / murder / looting - by those who were to protect the civilians. I also listened to the international news reports on the radio during this time - these had no relevence to the ground realities.
It is unfortunate that the Eelam Tamils have been the target of so much misery - which the international media is unable to grasp (?)
Hope India will try to understand or preicament and do not confuse the Tamils with the LTTE. Whatever said of the LTTE, if not for them what is the future of the Eelam Tamils?
Arun, London. :
June 29, 2006 @ 4:41 am
Well thoughtout and sensible piece of analysis. Well written and well done writter.
Would like to be in touch for future development. Pls Reply.
Ranjith Fernando, Dubai :
June 29, 2006 @ 8:22 am
Well, First of all there are no Eelam Tamils but only Sri Lankan Tamils, This is political coverdness of Anton Balasingham, Teetering for next target and trying to gain some kind of sympathy these all apologies will be there only till they hold onto some powerful stage.
They do not clearly belive in power sharing they want to curve out seperate country in sri lanka and then fight for great tamil Ealam including madras.
If they are really ready to apologize for these kind of actions they have to lay down arms and start negotiations for power sharing. This is really politics playing by Dr. Anton Balasingham/
S.K.SUNDARAM :
June 29, 2006 @ 10:32 am
Well done.Very good analysis.Very rational.
Dear Mr.Ranjit Fernando
What singhalies,were doing when the tamil were begging
for power sharing by peacefull methods under the unarmed leadership of Mr.Chelva.
You people merely made a mockery of that and vitually spitted on his
face.
Do you have an ioto of sense of shame to ask LTTE to lay down arms.
If this is the thinking of ordianry singhalies ,I am sure that TAMIL EELAM IS THE ONLY SOLUTION.
LONG LIVE TAMIL!!!
LET THEIR LIBERATION STRUGGLE UNDER THE LTTE’S LEADERSHIP TRIUMPH!!!!!!!!!!!!
REGDS
S.K.SUNDARAM
Victor, USA :
June 29, 2006 @ 10:51 am
Very well analysed KTK,
Mr. Ranjith,
It would be an eye opener to you if you could read the following link.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2006/06/29/sri_lankas_uncivil_war/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+–+Editorials
Sellam in UK :
June 29, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
There is no country to ally witth the LTTE except NORWAY .
M.Thiru, South East Asia / Singapore :
June 29, 2006 @ 2:10 pm
A sensible analysis on the plight of Elam Tamils & their struggle against the successive opressive Sinhalese political leaders. Quoting Henry Kissinger’s diplomacy was appropriate. Not long ago the international media gave importance to the negetive comments ( or a vulgur word used I can not remeber) Kissinger made about how they (the America) viewed Indian during the Vietnam/cold war era. Now it is all forgotten and India -US relations have taken a new dimension.
I agree with the author that Tamils in the Island nation off the Southern tip of India are natural allies of India and will always add strength to India’s leadership role both regionally and globally.
Since PM Nerhu’s time, India has been accodomative and supportive of successive Srilankan governments except for the period of Indira Ghandhi - JR Jeyawardne were the leaders. During Indira Ghandhi’s time Sinhalese leadership or the Sinhalese diplomacy could not take advantage of India . She was strong and intelligent political leader.
For the Sinhalese if India can do the job of crushing the Tamil struggle then India is great otherwise Sinhalese frightens the Indians by shedding croccodile tears that Tamils are going get together to form greater Tamil Nadu and suppress all the other Indians including the Sinhalese. This is not KMB Rajaratne or R.G.Senanayke’s time. What did DS Senannayke did to Indians with the citizenship act ?
What did both SWRD Banda and wife Srimavo do to all the Tamils of SL made them second class or stateless ? What did Colvin do with his 1972 constitution people like Abdul Kalam or Manmohan Singh are SL born can not become President of SL or PM of SL respectfully. Even Laxman Kadirgamar could not become a PM or a President.
IT IS SAD THAT even now THE SINHALESE LEADERS ARE NOT MAKING THE MAJORITY OF THE SINHALESE REALISE THAT WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT N&E TAMILS ARE OUR NEIGHBOURS & WE HAVE TO TREAT THEM EQUALLY FOR MUTUAL WELL BEING .
FURTHER WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT INDIA IS OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY AND AN EMERGING GLOBAL LEADER, WE ARE PART OF SOUTH ASIA AND we must respect the CFA and implement it and after that MUST OFFER A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE TAMILS AND IMPLEMENT IT WITHIN A STIPULATED TIME WITH International Community & India AS GUARANTORS . SEEKING THE HELP OF PAKISTAN OR OTHER COUNTRIES TO SUPPRESS TAMILS WILL NOT TAKE US ANYWHERE, and we will only pass the problem to the next generation.
I sincerely hope India will look at the big picture and will rise to the occasion to bring a permanaent solution.
regards.
UdamD, USA :
June 29, 2006 @ 11:32 pm
LTTE has made it clear that they don’t want peace.. The SL Govt needs to step up and respond.. and root out the LTTE for good. No matter what anyone says.. the LTTE does not represent the tamils. And if i was a tamil, i wouldn’t want them to represent me either. They are fighting for their own agenda. A group that is the ’sole representative’ for a certain group of people would not murder/rape/rob its own people.
SUNRANDRA KUMAR USA :
June 30, 2006 @ 12:12 am
The LTTE is no savior to the tamil people of SL.
Seelan Kandiah :
June 30, 2006 @ 2:00 am
Many of assumptions of K.T.Kumaran are wrong.
Assumption one:The LTTE is representing Tamils and it is fighting for the welfare and the rights of Tamils.
This assumption is wrong. LTTE is a fascist mafia entity which is fighting if not surviving for the LTTE gang( ultimately for its leader Prabhakaran) itself only. The number of Tamils killed by LTTE ( is around 25000) is far more greater than the number of Tamils killed by Sinhalese chauvinistic governments. It is the LTTE which killed 95% of the democratic and alternative voices of Tamils and Muslims. LTTE’s claim of the sole representation of Tamils is determined by bullet power and not by the ballot-box power.
South asian region, unlike middle east has been maintaining its strong democratic system and tradition since the independence from colonial powers. ( one may say pakistan and Bangladesh as less democtatic yet their leders cannot rule their respective countries like Despots and democracy is gaining its grips there too)) By forgiving LTTE on the Rajiv assassination india will allow a system of ruthless fascism in its own region of South Asia.
Assumption two: LTTE is the future hope of Tamils.
Wrong. The real power base for Tamils of Sri Lanka is the 60 million people of Tamil Nadu and their vote bank. Even there the democracy of India guarantees that. Imagine India have the political system of Fascism. Any chauvinistic Sinhalese regime make a secret deal with Indian central government and massacre the whole tamils of Sri Lanka. Saddam did that in Iraq. Saddam with just the help of 20% sunny Muslims oppressed 80% of the Shites and the Kurds only because no democracy in Iraq.
Tamils do not want a ruthless fascist political system under the rule of LTTE. LTTE will make sure that they will outsmart the fascist political systems of HiItler, Stalin, Saddam, Suhartos Pinochet and the likes combined.
S.Rajendra, Scarborough,Canada :
June 30, 2006 @ 4:31 pm
As long as the LTTE believes in the bullet and AK47, a solution cannot be found. Killing a leader of a neghbouring and powerful country is not an accident or a mistake. It was pure and simple conspiracy and treachery. WE, the Sri Lankan Tamils are paying for this folly of the LTTE. What did the Sri Lankan Tamils or the LTTE gain by killing Rajiv Gandhi?. Even a knave and a fool knows that India can exist without Sri Lanka , but not Sri Lanka ( whether Singhalese or Tamils} after antagonising India. Did not the LTTE know it?
Envee. Canada :
June 30, 2006 @ 6:42 pm
Well analysed. This statement by The Assistant United States Secretary of State for South & Central Asian Affairs Mr Richard Boucher is relevent.
This is what he said recently in Colombo. Sri Lanka
” …….. there are legitimate issues raised by the Tamil community and they have a very legitimate desire, as anybody would, to control their own lives, to rule their own destinies, and to govern themselves in their homeland, in the areas they’ve traditionally inhabited.”
Santiagu :
June 30, 2006 @ 9:28 pm
The 23 years of refugee status of srilankan tamils both internally and worldwide has proved that the tamils cannot live amicably with the sinhalese any longer. The tamils have lost their homes,lands and schools and are driven to seek refuge from the enemy who has proved himself to be a ruthless chauvinist monster who would not be moved by even the Tsunami devastation that became as an insult to injury to the homeless tamils.Chandrika approved the Tsunami relief and subsequently the hands of the law throws the PTOMS away. Under these circumstances what has to become of the North-East tamil populous is anybody’s guess. They should either remain sub-serviant to the monstrous state or fight back to get all what they lost. A right thinking democrat local or foreign would come to the obvious conclusion that the only option left for the tamils is to fight back the ruthless inhuman state power that wants to annihilate the tamils from this land called srilanka.Never has any sinhala politician understood the problems of the tamils and even the tamils living in the so-called government areas are persecuted if they show any form of protest against the government. It goes without saying that the SLG is telling all the tamils to group themselves and become fighting forces in the NorthEast as well as everywhere they live.
Canaga Willeton :
June 30, 2006 @ 10:22 pm
UdamD,
The ‘murder/rape/rob’ is by your SL forces - you do not have to bury your face in the sand and talk - this is an acceptrd fact by ALL!
It is the indiscipline of the SL forces that has made the situation worse - as accepted by your own sinhalese leader MR only a week back.
what are you talking about?
Hareram :
July 1, 2006 @ 10:56 am
The animosity the sinhala governments and parties showed towards India at some point in time is now forgotten and the only thing that cannot be forgotten or forgiven is the LTTE presumed suicide killing that killed the Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The attrocities done by the IPKF on tamil soil would have made any tamil man who had lost a dear one due to IPKF attrocity to make himself or herself as a suicide bomber to assasinate the PM under whose authority the IPKF functioned. Even so how about the thousands of children who lost both their parents due to the government bombings on public places and churches that brought heavy losses to lives and properties. The revengeful attitude of the yougster be they are under any age will not deter them from becoming suicide bombers or fighters to fight back the enemy who killed their loved ones. The UNICEF is trying to paint the picture as if the LTTE is forcefully recruiting children is a false presumption and on the other hand they are sending young children back to their parents when they are aware of their ages. India should believe the LTTE’s plea for forgetting the past and to align themselves as friends. The LTTE will be true to their word but the GOSL cannot be trusted as they can and will turn against India when they get China’s support.
Dr.R.G.Sankaralingam,London.UK :
July 1, 2006 @ 5:29 pm
Analysing the comments posted on this website by one Sellam in UK, I feel that he is a sinhalese masquerading with a Tamil sounding name.
Firstly he called the Tamils Kallathonies. No tamil will ever call even his bitterest Tamil enemy a Kallathony.Has Douglas Devananda ever referred to Pirapaharan as a Kallathony ?. For the benefit of Sellam and people of his mentality, the first Kallathony in recorded history is Vijaya the so called ancestor of the Sinhala race. Furthermore we now witness several Sinhala Kallathonies arriving in Italy and Australia.
Secondly all the statements of Sellam is exactly similar to those being said ad nauseam by Sinhala extremists such as What are the problems facing the Tamils and Why any autonomy when more than 50% of Tamils are living among the Sinhalese in South SriLanka. Please Mr.Sellam disclose your true identity and take part in the discussions in a decent and constructive manner without attacking others and posting matters of low intelectual value. I am sure that the Tamils living in UK can certainly show you SELLANG.
zap :
July 3, 2006 @ 11:30 pm
why should india interfere in SL anymore. Let them fight for themselves.
Bandara :
July 5, 2006 @ 4:40 am
Clearly the Indains will never want peace on the island.
For that purpose they will back the underdog.
During 70s and early 80s it was the Tamil militants -including LTTE- that were the underdogs.
Now it is the GoSL.
However, the LTTE with its regret has tried to convince the Indians that they -the LTTE- that is infact the underdog.
However, I don’t think that the Indians would buy this.
Wheather you are Tamil or Sinhala, take a deep breatha nd ponder this.
What would happen, if today India declares open support for LTTE as it had in 70s and 80s? Would the war not come to an end? Wouldn’t the GoSL rush to give somesort of federal solution?
As far as India is concerened it is not about avenging Rajeev’s killing. After alll his mother was killed by s Sikh and a Singh is now Prime Minister.
India just wants to maintain war.
N :
July 5, 2006 @ 5:56 am
Question: What constructive suggestions have all those anti-LTTE people, as per above posts, made?
Answer: Nothing!
Question2: Is there an alternative to the LTTE given the situation of the Tamils since the last 50 years or so?
Question3: What would have been the lot of the Tamils if not for the LTTE?
Question4: Would the world have ended for the Singhalese power elites if Tamils were treated with normal consideration after independance?
Comment: Surely India only stands to gain by standing by the Tamils in fairness and making sure of future stability in the region.
Athos, Australia :
July 5, 2006 @ 10:59 am
‘Violence begets violence’, Its a kindergarten lesson not yet learnt by most Tamils who support LTTE. No matter what the excuses are, none can justify estimated 50,000 deaths, 30 years of destruction to property, and countless families displaced as a result. If rehabilitation starts tomorrow, the process will take another 40 years to complete. If/When LTTE heroics end, Tamils will get an opportunity to take stock of their ‘liberators’ achievements. A ’struggle’ fought on the back of children, glorified on lives of suicide bombers and fuelled on steam-rolling alternate Tamil views. Go on.. reach out to India, but remember, you cannot escape the fact it’s the Sinhalese who will always be your closest neighbour whether you like it or not. Also there are some accounts to settle vis-à-vis, Temple of the tooth bombing and Sri-Maha Bodhi bombing etc.
Canaga Willeton :
July 6, 2006 @ 10:43 am
Athos,
you are right - the Tamils have had enough of the ruthless killings and property damage committed by the GOSL.
the destruction caused to the Tamils is far worse than you can imagine - only if you care to look round the tamil areas - which you cannot from the luxury of australia.
N :
July 7, 2006 @ 3:54 am
If the Singhlese turn out to be good neighbours that would be really great; and maybe the Sinhalese will realise the silliness of oppressive politics after they become neighbours.
Also nothing wrong in acknowledging India as a part of the global picture; that is also a good thing.
Prasad, Sri lanka :
July 12, 2006 @ 12:19 am
fist of all india must accept they are the one who suport LTTE to be like this. Last thing we like tamil people, but we don’t like LTTE.