The European Union has decided to impose the ban on the LTTE.

Tamils perceive the ban as a move taken hurriedly and unilaterally by the European Union without taking into account the views expressed by all sections. The European Union has a moral obligation to shed light on their decision in view of the grave concern expressed by the Tamils all over the world.

The LTTE has not abrogated the ceasefire agreement. It has not isolated itself from the peace process. Nor has it pronounced to boycott any future talks.

What the LTTE insisted on was to prevail upon the government to create a congenial atmosphere for talks and to make the talks meaningful by implementing the decisions reached at the last Geneva talks.

Instead of pressurizing the government to take necessary steps, the European Union has banned the LTTE. There are incidents of violence in the north and east and the parties blame one another. While the government puts the blame on the LTTE for these acts of violence, the LTTE points an accusing finger at the paramilitary groups operating with the connivance of the security forces, a fact which is endorsed by the SLMM and other international agencies.

The European countries succumbing to the diplomacy of the US and its ally the UK have lost their entity and independence in reaching this decision.

The ban foisted on the LTTE is seen as demeaning the freedom struggle of the Tamils, belittling the LTTE, the force behind the Tamils’ freedom struggle and strengthening the hands of the Sinhala chauvinism that unleashes violence and oppressive measures on innocent Tamil civilians.

The hopes of the Tamils that they can realize their legitimate aspirations through the efforts of the International Community have been shattered by the EU ban.

An English translation of the Editorial in Sudar Oli, A tamil National Daily, based in Colombo

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed