Defanging terrorists

The New Zealand Herald in its editorial of January 14, reproduced on this page yesterday, bears testimony to the fact that the writing is on the wall for the LTTE in New Zealand as well, where funds were once raised for its terrorist war without restrictions. In Australia the LTTE is banned and in New Zealand laws are being passed against assistance for terrorism. The New Zealand Terrorism Bill will be finalised when Parliament resumes next month. These laws are expected to spell disaster for LTTE fundraisers.

It is abundantly clear that the LTTE can no longer masquerade as a liberation movement in the countries where it once had refuge. Its mask has now been ripped off. The developed world is beginning to see its naked terrorism. The terrorist allies however will not give up so easily. Armed with funds and massive lobbying power, they are sure to battle against the new anti-terror legislation. The President of the New Zealand Tamil Society has already taken up cudgels for the Tigers. He is quoted by the Herald saying, "We feel they [the LTTE] are freedom fighters." The Herald editorial contradicts this view: It says, "... there can be no question that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, to use their correct title, are a terrorist group and any form of financial support for them from this country should be a criminal offence." Stressing on the need for militant groups to steer clear of civilian targets if they are to qualify for the title, Freedom Fighters, it shows how those armed groups who act in violation of that code render themselves as international pariahs. The LTTE falls well within this category. "All states, " the Herald says, "have an interest and responsibility to meet such threats and they are beginning to agree on how to do it. That’s progress."

The anti-terror war that Sri Lanka has been waging against the LTTE for nearly two decades resulted from this ‘interest and responsibility to meet such threats.’ She had been battling terrorism almost single-handed against numerous odds while the new found anti-terror allies of the US provided shelter for the terrorists. Instead of the LTTE it was the legitimate state of Sri Lanka that once became a pariah of sorts in the eyes of the developed world.

Sadly, even after these countries have realised the truth about LTTE terror, they are fighting short of forcing the LTTE to give up terrorism. There has been hardly any tangible support for Sri Lanka to remove the scourge of terrorism. It is still under pressure to talk peace with the same terrorists who have been rendered ‘international pariahs.’ Even under bans representatives of these ‘international pariahs’ are being entertained by western governments. The manner in which Balasingham is operating from London despite the British ban is a case in point.

This is not to argue that bans are of no use. Proscriptions have had a salutary effect in that they have delegitimised the LTTE and rendered its fund raising difficult. But, these restrictions have to be coupled with tangible support for Sri Lanka to make the LTTE amenable to a solution.

It looks as if the LTTE had taken these bans for granted. It is boasting of its ability to raise funds on the sly. Above all, look at the way Balasingham is making demands from India. He has the chutzpah to demand that he be allowed to operate from India during talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. Earlier it was a request on the grounds of his failing health. But now that request has given way to a demand. He is asking why India, which prepared it for fighting is now trying to ward it off when it is trying to make peace.

This kind of arrogance of terrorists mock democracy and the anti-terror campaign. Those who are crusading against global terrorism certainly have to go beyond bans on terror groups and extend the fullest co-operation to nations battling this evil if terrorists are to be defanged for the well being of mankind.

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