War or peace?

Sri Lanka is, perhaps, the only country in the world that wages a war and at the same time does not wage it. As a result, it has neither defeated terrorism nor made peace with terrorists. It has only vacillated for 18 long years between war and peace and has paid tremendously for its indecisiveness.

We saw on Wednesday two more demonstrations - one calling on the government to go in for peace talks with the LTTE, and the other vehemently opposing negotiations and asking for decimation of the LTTE. The former had been organised by the business community while the latter by the Sihala Urumaya (SU) and the National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT).

The demonstrations were relatively peaceful but for a few incidents where the SU and the NMAT activists were reported to have - true to form - set upon some of those who took part in the business community-sponsored human chain. It is unfortunate that these deplorable attacks were ever mounted on a group of people who were exercising their democratic rights and whose campaign showed no signs of aggression or violence. Those who resorted to strong-arm tactics against these demonstrators stand condemned.

As much as those who are against terrorism have a right to demand that the LTTE be crushed and their concern for the well-being of the country should be appreciated, they must bear in mind that their freedom ends where others’ (not terrorists’) noses begin. The anti-terrorist activists appear to be convinced otherwise as evident from their penchant for confrontation.

Peace no doubt is the dream of every Sri Lankan. The protracted conflict has cost the country dearly in terms of lives and physical resources. It is said to have bled the economy white. The business community has had to bear the brunt of the conflict in terms of the economic cost and therefore it is natural that they seek short cuts to peace. Hard hit and reeling under many a crisis, Sri Lanka’s business community is a desperate lot. Out of desperation they may cling on even to a glimmer of hope. They, no doubt, yearn for peace and political stability. For them, negotiations with the terrorists may look the way out.

Their convictions and judgments may be misplaced and their arguments may not hold water, yet they too have a right to pursue their goals in a democratic manner as they did on Wednesday. Whether their pursuit will yield desired results is a different matter.

By the same token, it is incumbent upon the business community to allay any doubts that may have been raised in the public mind by the criticism their opponents have levelled against them.

It is alleged that a group, with a hidden agenda to bail out the LTTE at this juncture when the West is preparing for a "crusade against terrorism", is manipulating the business community.

It is feared that certain anti-Sri Lankan forces are funding the peace projects in question.

These are only allegations. But, if the business community has nothing to hide, then there is no reason why they should not provide answers to their critics.

Besides it is a fact that the war alone cannot be blamed for all our economic ills. There are many more contributory factors: Sri Lanka lacks a work ethic. By way of rapport between employers and employees, there is much to be desired as evident from industrial disputes that are galore. Political rivalry between the two main parties in the south has led to erosion of investor confidence. Above all, there is a power crisis.

It therefore behoves business leaders to address their minds to these problems as well. For example, they can organise a demonstration to bring pressure on the government to find a solution to the power crisis. They can count on millions of people to take part in such a demonstration.

Those who are opposed to negotiations with the terrorists may be justified in taking up that position in that talks with the LTTE have always drawn a blank. On all occasions without an exception, talks have been scuttled by the LTTE. Talks for the LTTE have been only a means to averting difficult situations.

Now that bin Laden has ‘roused a mighty giant’ - in President Bush’s words,- Prabhakaran must be a worried man fearing a crack down on the LTTE overseas. There should be no surprise if he waves an olive branch all of a sudden from the Wanni and offers to talk peace - until the US crusade comes to an end. Remember the LTTE has condemned the terrorist attack on the US obviously in an effort to curry favour with the US authorities. Perhaps, the LTTE might give serious thought to organising demonstrations abroad to condemn the attacks on the US so as to save its skin.

President George W. Bush has turned down Taliban offers for negotiations with the US authorities over bin Laden. The LTTE has perpetrated many more crimes against the people of Sri Lanka. It has launched attacks on the financial hub of Sri Lanka, the Central Bank. It has bombed the Dalada Maligawa, which is to Buddhists of Sri Lanka what the Vatican is to the Roman Catholics the world over. The LTTE has massacred tens of thousands of civilians, including children and pregnant women. It is also responsible for the massacre of over 600 policemen in the east in the early 1990s. It has already assassinated a Sri Lanka president, a former Indian premier and made an attempt on the incumbent President’s life.

Above all, the LTTE has refused to give up its demand for a separate state or a ‘solution’ that borders on separation.

The question is why Sri Lanka should not emulate the US. If the US does not want to talk to terrorists, then why should we? Sri Lanka cannot afford to be out of step with the world leaders.

What the anti-terrorists groups demand is that the government strike while the iron is hot. They don’t want the government to allow a vital opportunity to go abegging. Any sensible government keen to defeat terrorism would have taken time by its forelock. Knowing the LTTE for what it is and having been taken for a ride on previous occasions, the government must desist from any course of action that will cause it to fall into a peace trap again.

It must join forces with the US, which is on a worldwide crusade against terrorism.

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