News Update - 20060209
*** Topic: No improvements before Geneva talks ***
Having the talks in Geneva is a success for the LTTE, and not merely since they resisted SL govt.'s attempts to sever them from European support and European Tamils. By making the talks focus only on the implementation of the ceasefire, it will highlight to the world just how guilty the govt. has been in surrpetitiously undermining the ceasefire itself. The Geneva talks on February 15-16 will be juxtaposed against the 4th anniversary of the ceasefire that follows soon after on February 22. For example, the longest deadline given to any item in the ceasefire was 160 days for the withdrawal of troops from public, civilian areas. To date, it has been 1448 days since the ceasefire, and the SL army has built even more bunkers and declared more "off-limits" High Security Zones.
The LTTE involvement in covert, high-profile attacks and brushing them off as "the frustration of the people" is for a reason: it directly mirrors the SL govt.'s use of paramilitaries against the LTTE and Tamil civilians since the latter part of 2003. In other words, the LTTE did for 2 months what the SL forces have done for more than 2 years. Since the announcement of the Geneva talks, the LTTE has curtailed all attacks, but govt. harassment of Tamils conspicuously remains. The LTTE will use the world's attention during the Geneva talks to emphasize this point, and the govt. will attempt to dodge the blame by trying to change the subject.
http://www.sangam.org/FB_HIST_DOCS/MoU02_22_02.htm
The full text of the ceasefire agreement signed on Feb. 22, 2002.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL69156.htm
It became apparent to reporters that the govt. mliitary and the JVP are bent on pursuing their collision course for war. (Among the large political parties, the JVP is the most extreme Sinhala chauvinist and nationalist. Among chauvinist, nationalist Sinhala parties, the JVP is the one with the largest support base and the only with a history of large-scale military violence.)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP273306.htm
Abducting 10 Tamils Rehabiliation Organization (TRO) only follows the pattern started with the killing of the LTTE major the day after the Geneva talks were announced.
http://www.tamilguardian.com/beta/news_details.asp?newsid=500
A good look at what's at stake depending on the outcome of the talks.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art .html?catid=13&artid=17073
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/pageview.php?ID=3788&SID=534
A more detailed look at the politico-military situation that exists in the background of the talks.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=17076
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/columns.asp?parentid=38413
A Western non-Tamil also recognizes the situation for what it is, similar to the Tamil Guardian editorial.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=17107
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4680234.stm
Recently, SL had its annual National Day that aims to evoke nationalist sentiments via a parade of military hardware. Rajapakse took the opportunity to make hardliner innuendos.
http://www.tamilcanadian.com/pageview.php?ID=3818&SID=52
An Indian who provides general facts and statistics about the militaries of the LTTE and SL which might be close but not exact.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=17136
A strong statement by the LTTE on their impressions of the current state of the conflict.
http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2006/02-08_Democratic_Sri_Lanka.php#_ftn1?uid=1505
This begins with a a poignant story that only gives us a glimpse of what must really be happening behind the nondescript reports of 'crimes' and 'atrocities'.