by Namini Wijedasa
National Unity Alliance leader Ferial Ashraff reiterated last week that the Muslim community did not want to be dominated by the LTTE, or anybody else, in any agreement which emanated from the peace process.

She emphasised that Muslims still did not trust the LTTE, claiming that a process of "ethnic cleansing and violence" which started in 1985 has continued even after the signing of the cease-fire agreement.

Ashraff also said she was not astonished at Wednesday’s LTTE attack on the STF camp at Akkaraipattu: "We were not quite surprised. It has been happening for some time with Muslims. That day, it was with the STF. I don’t think anyone wants to take orders from the LTTE."

"The LTTE leadership must take responsibility," she said in an interview. "They hauled back Karikalan. They must call all their cadres in the east and tell them where to get off. We don’t see that happening."

"From 1985, the LTTE has unleashed violence against us," Ashraff recounted. "It has not stopped even after the cease-fire agreement. We can’t trust the LTTE anymore, can’t work with the LTTE or enter into any sort of agreement with the LTTE. It is all a matter of losing trust."

Ashraff observed that the NUA rival, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, was in a major crisis after nine of its parliamentary members boycotted sittings last week. The MPs are keeping away from parliament till their leader, Rauff Hakeem, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe make a comprehensive statement regarding the position of Muslims in the North-East.

The NUA leader said the protest had started after her own party highlighted a statement made by Hakeem after the Bangkok talks. He had reportedly said that the time wasn’t right to put forward the various demands of the Muslim community.

Ashraff claimed that her party would not take advantage of the crisis within the SLMC to gain an edge over the rival group.

"This is not the time," she said. "We have far more important things to do."

NUA held several meetings in the east after Hakeem’s controversial statement, highlighting the dangers of leaving Muslim grievances for the last, as far as the peace process was concerned.

"We explained matters to the people and expected them to pressurise Hakeem to change his stance... for him to see reality," she said. "That is why his own MPs have also taken this stance."

Ashraff admitted that NUA had spoken to these MPs about applying pressure on Hakeem.

Elaborating on a discussion she had last week with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ashraff said that the premier had given a "patient hearing" to their grievances and had said he would "try his best to help us out."

Asked whether the crisis in the SLMC as well as continuing differences between that party and her own meant there were divisions within the entire Muslim community, Ashraff replied in the negative.

"It’s not that Muslims are split where the cause is concerned but maybe where personalities are concerned," she said. "If the Tamils were getting the administration of the north and east, then there must be an administrative unit for Muslims."