by Namini Wijedasa in Wanni

The LTTE will consider renouncing its fight for the Tamil homeland once the fundamentals of a Tamil homeland, nationality and self-determination are accepted and a political solution put forward that embraces and recognises these fundamentals, LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran said on Wednesday.

"If our people are satisfied with the framework of a solution that considers these core issues, then our people will consider giving up our struggle for Tamil Eelam," Prabhakaran said. He added that self-determination meant the "right of our people to decide on our own political destiny."LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham played the role of interpreter during the two-hour conference at Kilinochchi and Prabhakaran’s answers were translated into English by him.

Earlier, Prabhakaran said that the right conditions had not yet arisen for the LTTE to abandon the struggle for an independent state.

Asked why anyone should believe the LTTE was serious in its peace efforts this time round, Prabhakaran said that it was the first time a third party was involved in the process in the manner that Norway was. Norway was reputed for resolving international conflicts and has undertaken peace efforts in several countries, he pointed out. Meanwhile, one proof of LTTE’s sincerity was that its declared a unilateral cease-fire and observed it for four months.

"That itself demonstrates a genuine intention for peace," Balasingham translated.

However, he stressed that peace talks scheduled for May in Thailand cannot go ahead unless the government de-proscribes the LTTE. "Talks in Thailand can take place only after a de-proscription," he said, adding that the LTTE would not settle for a suspended lifting of the ban. The LTTE leader also revealed that his organisation’s strategy was to campaign internationally for lifting of bans imposed on them by various countries once the government sets the stage. "We are not a terrorist organisation but a liberation movement fighting for the liberation of our people," Prabhakaran specified. "There is no clear definition or concept of terrorism and the definitions of different countries are perceptions based on their self-interest. Those countries waging war against terror must clearly define what constitutes terrorism and who are freedom fighters." Without a definition, there is confusion.

Asked if the LTTE’s intensified peace drive was a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks on USA and the consequent focus on terrorism, Prabhakaran said that the LTTE had undertaken peace initiatives before the September 11 incident. That’s why it declared a unilateral cease-fire and observed it for four months, met Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim and gave assurance that the LTTE wanted peace.

Asked why he called the press conference, Prabhakaran said that there had been a lot of misunderstanding with regard to the peace process and the LTTE’s stand on the peace process and a negotiated settlement. The press conference is being held to "explain clearly and coherently what we stand for... that we stand for peace."