Funding terrorism

Nothing could be more disturbing to those abhorring terrorism than the news that Japan has decided to grant Rs. 35m to the LTTE as an outright gift. The Sunday Times yesterday reported that this grant would go to the so-called Peace Secretariat of the LTTE.

We are yet to hear from the Japanese Embassy in Colombo about this gift, but there is little doubt that it will be delivered as promised in keeping with the change in Japan's policy towards terrorism in Sri Lanka.

Japan has expressed its desire for playing an active role in foreign affairs and demonstrated its 'yen' for direct involvement in the region by deploying warships in the Indian ocean to bolster the US and British forces in a show of support for the war on terror led by the US.

Japan as a global economic power and darling of the solo super power may have its ambitions. But it makes a mockery of its commitment to democracy and global peace when it, while crusading with the US and others against global terrorism, showers gifts on a terrorist outfit (the LTTE) hell bent on destroying a friendly nation (Sri Lanka), which celebrated fifty years of diplomatic relations with Japan only last year.

Granting money under whatever pretext to the LTTE from whom even the US failed to obtain a pledge to renounce terrorism at the recent Oslo meeting is tantamount to funding terrorism. We are being told that the role Japan is playing in Sri Lanaka’s conflict resolution is part of an experiment. Professor Monte Cassim, Executive Director of Kyoto based Centre for Global Education and Research of the Ritsumeikan Trust, it should be recalled, said during Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to Japan, "For Japan Sri Lanka is merely a test case. Japan’s ultimate objectives are far greater and wider." The question here is how ethical it is for Japan to treat a friend like a guinea pig.

Prof. Cassim was also quoted by The Island as having warned Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and the Japanese government that there would be a bloodbath unless a guarantee was obtained from the LTTE for the protection the Eastern Province. That this warning has not been heeded goes without saying.

It is not yet clear whether the Japanese government has sought permission for the grant in question from the Sri Lanka government. The government, which stands accused of helping legitimise the LTTE owes an explanation on this matter. It must tell the public whether it is with or without its knowledge that Japan has made this pledge to the LTTE.

The fact that the recent meeting between the LTTE and Japanese Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi in Kilinochchi, which is said to have resulted in the promised grant, was presided over by Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg feeds doubts that the LTTE would get funds from Japan the way they got radio gear for its clandestine radio station—on the sly.

Japanese tax payers, it is said, are concerned about how their money is spent. What has been promised to the LTTE being their money, we wonder what their reaction would be if they are informed that in Sri Lanka a terror outfit is getting a gift at their expense.

Apart from the very bad precedent that Japan’s promised grant to the LTTE would set creating the impression that the LTTE is running a parallel government, the real danger of the LTTE being fondled by foreign powers in this manner is that recognition accruing to the former without any commitment having to be made to earn it, Prabhakaran will see no reason why he should depart from terrorism. He has not given any pledge to eschew terrorism but foreign envoys pay him visits and now he is in for foreign funds. So, why should he stop forcible conscription of children, extorting civilians, smuggling in arms etc.? What is being showered on him is what he must be made to earn as the prize for renouncing violence. Unfortunately, the government and the international do-gooders are putting the cart before the horse. Or is it a case, as a wag says, of the dowry being given before marriage?

Whoever bestows gifts on the LTTE before it gives up terrorism only promotes terrorism. And Japan is doing just that much to the consternation of the vast majority of Sri Lankans who believe that Japan is a friend of theirs.

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