by Namini Wijedasa in Kilinochchi

Journalists were watched, registered, videotaped and photographed, frisked to the extent that even their fingernails, noses and ears were scrutinised and were finally cautioned before Velupillai Prabhakaran’s press conference not to make any sudden moves that could startle the poker-faced cadres standing guard at the venue with modified T-56 assault rifles.

"Don’t break your positions because it may cause a sense of panic or tension," a polite LTTE member advised the foreign and local media crammed into the Thuyavan LTTE Political College. "Stay in your places and don’t try to take advantage of the best vantage points," he requested, pointing out that there were armed cadres in the compound and implying that they had orders to shoot if startled enough.

"It’s probably the first time I’ve been warned before a press conference that I may be shot if I made any sudden moves!" a journalist from an American news agency was heard remarking.

Although the LTTE official’s instructions drew some laughter from the crowd, it was apparent that providing security for Prabhakaran’s first briefing in 12 years was no joke. It was so tight on both Tuesday and Wednesday that it caused some foreign journalists to comment that the United States should hire the Tigers for passenger and baggage checks at their airports.

Cigarettes, lighters and satellite phones were banned from the venue and only essential equipment or writing materials permitted with a taboo on spare items like batteries. While belongings were being sorted out, journalists were photographed and videotaped. During body-checks, belts and the insides of shoes were checked, tucked shirts pulled out, and nostrils, fingers, mouths and ear flaps examined.

The exhausting checking procedure started in the morning and went on till afternoon. The wait was made more tiring by the heat.

LTTE chief negotiator Anton Balasingham said later they had taken extra security measures because there have been instances where members of the army’s deep penetration units entered Wanni and killed their leaders.

Nearly 200 journalists descended in batches on Kilinochchi during the two days, although most arrived on Tuesday having been instructed to cross into the Wanni by 4 p.m. The crossing was preceded by a registration at the new LTTE office in Vavuniya. The local media was represented in its entirety while leading international and regional organisations also sent correspondents, still cameramen and television crew. They were put up at several locations — the primary of which was the Tamil Eelam Economic Development Central Office (TEEDCO) in Vattakachchi. Generators were kept running at locations occupied by journalists.

It was evident that the LTTE had done its utmost to cope with numbers which far exceeded its limited accommodation facilities. Several leaders said they had not expected so many journalists and apologised profusely for any inconvenience which may have been caused. Male and female Tiger cadres rushed around during meal-time, offering media personnel plates of food. Lunch comprised tastily-cooked rice and curry: chicken, potatoes, brinjal, dhal, etc. Dinner on Tuesday was the Tamil favourite, thosai and sambal. Dessert was bananas.

A series of LTTE propaganda videos was shown to journalists during the night. It included footage of battles, jubilant LTTE cadres and fallen army soldiers, displaced persons and Wanni scenery. "Let us live in our land in happiness and you (Sinhalese) live in your land in the same manner," a voice said in Sinhala on one video.

On Wednesday, journalists assembled at the TEEDCO compound under a canopy of mango trees for a "pre-briefing" where Sudhakaran, secretary to political wing leader P. Thamilchelvan, explained security measures pertaining to the conference in order that it could be conducted "without any problems." Requests by journalists to take their satellite phones were turned down and Sudhakaran also refused to divulge the time of the conference.

Nevertheless, Prabhakaran kept to the hour announced on the TamilNet website. By 4.45 p.m. (their time, which is still six-and-half-hours ahead of GMT), a contingent of his outer security rushed into the compound with T-56 rifles modified as snipers that could shoot at short range. They wore communication headsets and Sri Lanka Army flack-jackets over Tiger uniforms.

As the cadres and bodyguards carried out precisely programmed security measures, waiters in white shirts, black trousers, socks and bow-ties calmly served bottled water to journalists.

Prabhakaran, Balasingham, Thamilchelvan and the eastern region leaders arrived shortly after 5 p.m. in a Toyota Dolphin van. The press conference started almost immediately and continued for over two hours. Throughout the briefing, journalists were videotaped and photographed.

"We have intensified our security systems to protect our leadership," Balasingham said.