The views expressed by SLMM Chief Ulf Henriccson in an interview with a Colombo weekly is of grave concern for the Tamils. Having said that there were no valid reasons for the LTTE demand that a large number of SLMM refrain from its functions, he poses the question whether LTTE intends to bring an end to the Cease Fire Agreement and adduced that if the LTTE is firm on this stand.

These views of SLMM Chief reveals that he has not understood the reasons behind the demand and the circumstances in which that decision had to be taken. Instead of posing such a question to the LTTE, he should pose the identical question to his own group of Nordic countries, Sweden, Denmark and Finland that are members of the EU.

The SLMM Chief must try to understand the aspirations of the Tamils to win their legitimate rights and their unceasing struggle sacrificing their dear lives, their property, the development of their land for more than one generation . It is a struggle for an honorable life. This is an armed struggle of the Tamils realize their legitimate aspirations and to live with honour and self respect.

It must be reiterated here that while the Tamils struggle against oppressive Sinhala government, they are not prepared to go on bended knees to the West and lose their modest pride.

Even before the EU ban was imposed, it was pointed out in this column that the ban would result in the monitors of countries that are members of the EU losing their legitimacy and moral right to serve on the SLMM. It is relevant to quote here that the Tamils refused to have any talks with the government until the Sri Lankan Government lifted the ban on the LTTE.

The Chief of the SLMM has also stated that monitors don’t function as representatives of EU. We cannot ignore the fact that they have been elected as belonging to Nordic countries. The predecessors to the present SLMM chief were from Norway. It was on the basis of President Rajapakse’s insistence that Norwegians should not hold these posts, that the present SLMM chief was appointed because he is a Swedish national.

The argument of the Tamils that the monitors coming from EU countries have no moral right and legitimacy is justifiable .It is meaningless to blame the LTTE!.

An English translation of the Editorial in Sudar Oli, a Tamil National daily, based in Colombo

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