Sri Lanka: LTTE offers to
produce a counter proposal for north east- Update 51.
by Dr. S. Chandrasekharan
It was known that the "discussion paper" handed over to the
LTTE (refer our Update 50) will not be
acceptable to the LTTE precisely for the reason that the proposals fail to
provide political authority to run the north east. With no control
over police, security, land and revenue the offer of the government did
not meet LTTE’s objectives though the LTTE put it differently that the
proposal "failed to meet the expectations of the Tamil people."
But there were two major surprises.
Firstly, unlike in the past the LTTE did not reject the discussion
paper outright. All that Thamilselvan, the political representative
would say was that the proposals had many ‘short comings’ and that
they would study them in consultation with its legal and
constitutional experts.
Secondly, the LTTE was willing to offer a counter proposal which Thamil
selvan himself said would satisfy the expectations and reflect the
interests of the people. For too long the LTTE has been talking in
generalities of a solution that would meet the aspirations of the people
and have never gone into detail as to what exactly they would accept as an
alternative to "Eelam". The onus of producing a
satisfactory solution as an alternative to Eelam has always been left to
the government in power in Sri Lanka.
The fact that the LTTE is willing to produce a detailed alternative for
the interim administration is itself a major change for two reasons- One-
it will contain the basics for a final solution as and when the core
issues are discussed. They cannot talk on abstract principles
anymore and will have to go into the nuts and bolts of the
arrangement. Two- it will sensitise the Sinhala majority, the
political parties and the monks, who in due course will have to settle for
a considerable measure of autonomy for the Tamil areas, if peace and
economic progress are to be sustained.
Thus there is a heavy responsibility on both sides to ensure that a
mutually acceptable interim administrative structure is introduced as soon
as possible. But there are many pitfalls ahead, more so for Prime
minister Wickremasinghe who has to contend with a President breathing down
his neck and watching every move of his in the peace process. On
this we will discuss it later.
It is learnt that Thamilselvan is proceeding to Paris very shortly to
discuss with the legal and constitutional experts on the provincial
administration. Any proposal coming from them will have to take into
account the following.
* The first three principles of the Thimpu declaration which the LTTE
have continued to maintain as the corner stone for any final solution. (
In brief, these are Tamils as a nation, recognition of a Tamil home land
and the right of self determination). The LTTE couldn’t care
less for the fourth principle which deals with the plantation
Tamils. The Thimpu declaration is the only one that was endorsed
by Tamil groups of all hues.
* LTTE cannot give up the powers already being exercised by them in
the areas under their control. These include police, security, land and
revenue - the powers that are being denied in the draft discussion
proposal provided by the Sri Lankan government. There are other
areas where the LTTE cannot give up such as, its own judiciary, customs
and other transportation rules.
Sri Lankan government’s dilemma: Though the ground reality is
such that LTTE holds complete control over the territories held by them,
will it be possible for the Sri Lankan government to accept this reality
and formalise it? This would need a constitutional amendment.
A minor incident that occurred a few days ago is indicative of the
problems that could be faced by the government. On 29th
July, the LTTE made a formal request to the chief of SLMM ( Sri Lankan
Monitoring Mission) for clearance of transportation of 24 newly trained
"LTTE Policemen" to Batticola from the exit point at Omanthai in
the north to the entry point at Mankerni in the east. While transportation
of LTTE personnel to their areas under control come within the cease fire
agreement, the problem was that the government cannot officially accept
the passage of "LTTE Policemen" as the LTTE police have not been
formally recognised. A compromise was reached and the policemen were
allowed to proceed without their uniforms and the weapons. .
It looks that tough negotiations are ahead even for an interim
administration in the north east. The cease fire may continue and
even the talks. The LTTE is not yet in a position to go against
international opinion and renew the conflict. But the problem lies
more with the majority community who are unwilling to see the ground
realities. The Constitution may have to be amended but that can be done
only if a consensus is evolved. With the President and the Prime
minister at logger heads over the peace initiatives, the chances of the
Sri Lankan government coming out with a viable alternative for an enduring
solution therefore appear to be slim.
