Balakumaran: The real objective of the
attacks in the West, Silaavaththurai, the East in
Manalaaru and in the north Mukamaalai, are to get
inside the Tiger den of Vanni, and attack the heart
of the Liberation Tigers. Sri Lanka's military plan
is not different to previous attempt to capture the
A9 in 1999, 70 miles of which goes through Vanni.
In my view, currently Sri lanka is trying to
enter through A-32 to Pooneryn or use A-34 to
advance through Oddisuddaan; One of these highways
will result in being renamed as highway of death. As
a precursor to the anticipated battle, the SLA is
trying to chip away the strength of the LTTE, as
well probing the LTTE strength through small scale
skirmishes at the periphery. We understand their
tactics, we haven't underestimated their strength
either.
We are cognizant of the enormity of the possible
disaster that can unfold, and bloodbath waiting to
happen. Tamil people have no other option, except to
face these possibilites. Once the fire of freedom is
lit, there is no turning back; sacrifices are part
of this decision, and our people fully understand
this. We are confident of our strength to achieve
our goals.
Balakumaran: We have to have a clear view
of what diplomacy means. Whether Sri Lanka allows
diplomats to visit, or when Sri Lanka stops
diplomats visiting Vanni, they are trying to achieve
the same objective. That is to find ways to advance
the self-interests of Sri Lanka and
the host
countries of the visiting diplomats. It is wrong to
think that allowing diplomats to visit Vanni is in
the interest of LTTE; we should not entertain such
delusions.
In my opinion, how we are looking into this is,
in 1987, there was regional intervention into the
conflict from India. Leader Pirapaharan acted in
accordance with the political climate of that time.
In his
Chuthumalai declaration, he started the speech
by saying "we are friends of India." His
2007 Hero's
day speech, has stated the same sentiments. We
can consider it another Chuthumalai declaration. We
expect diplomatic pressures in this time period.
What we are really troubled by is the indecision
of the International community. India is indecisive,
the international community is indecisive, they are
unable to relate their interests to unfolding
situation in Sri Lanka. Even Russia has shown
interest, they say Iran is also interested. The
diplomatic front is muddled.
Only the demonstration of military strength by
the Tigers can bring clarity to the situation, for
the international community to correctly relate
their interests, and assertively engage. Consider
the countries
Somaliland,
Kosovo, and
Montenegro.
The west will intervene when their interests are
impacted. But they are reluctant to enter forcefully
in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has state power.
International Community appears to be giving a
free hand to India. During the war to open A-9, up
to 6000 Sri Lankan soldiers perished, and nearly
3000 Tigers sacrificed their lives. The
international community accepted the results of that
war, and recognized the LTTE's strength. The
question is why they are not, responding the same
way now. In order to change the international
community's view, we are called to suffer more
sacrifices of life.
We expect 2008 will be the year where we can
overcome the diplomatic hurdles that confront us. In
2003, we proposed
ISGA (Interim Self Governing
Authority) as a framework with which will satisfy
us, our minimal requirements for power-sharing. So
based on this, the international community cannot
call us obstinate, or terrorists.
Hillary Clinton
also identified us when she articulated a more
nuanced definition of terrorism.
We expect that in 2008, the Tigers will bring
clarity to Sri Lanka's conflict.
