Anton Balasingham addressing the LTTE office in Dusseldorf, Germany has said while talks of leaders like S. J. V. Chelvanayagam were based on non-violence today, "We are talking on artillery strength."

Balasingham further said: "We are not terrorists..... We want self-rule under a federal framework like in other countries. We want a just solution to the Tamils and this has been commended by world countries. US, Britain and EU have welcomed this. On this basis a mischievous campaign is being carried out that Tigers have given up the Eelam demand. Our leader has clearly emphasized this in his heroes’ day message.

"He had said ‘grant Tamil Eelam under a federal structure with the right to self-determination or else allow us to separate’. There is no alternative. Our demand is not emotional but has a scientific political concept. Due to our demand there is chaos in the Sinhala nation.

"These talks are a diplomatic move and a journey towards a goal. We cannot afford to fight continuously. Our soldiers need a break. Time is needed to start a good life and uplift their economy. We need time to explain our just struggle to the world. We are going from country to country monthly to explain our position. Ten lakhs of people have become refugees at home and there are another ten lakhs abroad. We need an interval to rehabilitate them.

"Jaffna Commander Fonseka wants us to lay down heavy artillery for resettlement and rehabilitation of our people and President Chandrika has welcomed this. Do not request for our arms we will not give them since we bought them from the funds obtained from our people abroad. Along with these weapons we fought with Sinhala troops and snatched away their weapons. We are not prepared to lay down arms. If you want weapons come and take them from us. You won’t come because you will lose what you have. No power can threaten us diplomatically or otherwise to lay down arms. Weapons are our strength and our manhood. We cannot trust Sinhala rulers and lay down arms. Getting emotional is of no use. Only scientfic thinking is useful. We should not forget this.

"The present peace talks is a diplomatic move to obtain international legitimacy and to achieve our goal. Peace talks too are a struggle. We are requesting for the rights of our people. We want to strengthen ourselves politically and economically. Through talks we have gone to places we cannot go.

We have set up secretariats. We have sent our cadres to meet people and have recruited new ones to strengthen our army. Our leader has requested our people living abroad to contribute to the Eelam fund. He has commenced this fund for some urgent purpose. Do not ask what the funds are meant for. Contribute as far as you can. You will enjoy the benefits. The Sinhala Nation is economically destroyed. It is destroying everyone and is also getting devastated. If there is no foreign aid there is no redemption.

"If the Sinhala nation crosses the limit and forces war upon us we will have no other alternative but to fight. We are ready to fight. President Chandrika who does not like Tamils getting a peaceful solution is waiting for an opportunity to send Ranil’s government home. I asked the leader of the government delegation Prof. G. L. Peiris about this. They are also shaken. Chandrika is getting ready to dissolve the government saying that ‘Tigers are getting arms, engaged in training, utilizing the peace environment to stabilize their economy’. But the economy of the Sinhala nation has fallen. Even during a peace atmosphere soldiers are deserting the army. No body wants to join the army. As such there is an imbalance between the troops and Tigers. Ranil Wickremesinghe does not understand this, and she is getting ready to dissolve the government.

"President Chandrika has two more years left. Before that she will try to send Ranil home. Therefore there may be another election. Even if such a situation arises we will not go for war. We will be patient and observe the election carefully. This election is going to be between war and peace. We will act accordingly. If Ranil’s government comes back we will continue to discuss. Do not think matters are running smooth at the negotiation table. They are taking place amidst disputes and problems. We will make every effort to continue talks."

"The international community which called us terrorists, extremists, militants is inviting us monthly and talking to us with due respect. This time we have been invited by Germany. The reason for this is our diplomatic moves.

"It is one year since the cease-fire was declared and is five months since the talks began. What are the changes during this period? There is no death and destruction and the economic embargo has been lifted. After two decades essential items are going to the north-east without hindrance. Sinhala and Muslim traders are going to the north-east. The Kandy road has been opened for public use and the economy in Tamil Desam is slowly blossoming. But many matters in the MoU have not been fulfilled.

"Aggression of Army continues in Jaffna, our cultural capital. Around 40,000 troops continue to occupy schools, temples, public places. In the name of HSZ a large number of villages, paddy fields belonging to our people have been grabbed. As per the MoU troops have not evacuated. At every discussion we stress this but the army refuses to quit saying it is dangerous. Therefore resettlement of our people is dragging. The SHIRAN which has been set up for this purpose has not been funded and people are unable to resettle.

"Peace has come although our people are not living in prosperity. We have to rehabilitate our people. We have to uplift their lives. This is why we ushered in peace but are unable to implement it and there is a stagnation.

"Where the Sinhala government is concerned there are two power bases. One is the executive presidency and the other is the parliamentary government. We are talking to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is heading the government. But President Chandrika is in charge of the armed forces and she is obstructing the peace efforts. In the Colombo government there is no unified view. The government is split and this is why the talks and peace efforts are facing disputes. As far as we are concerned we are one organisation, one leadership and one people. We are engaged in talks as one united power but the Sinhala Nation is fragmented. Besides, the Buddhist chapters and racialists are rising up. The Sinhala leadership is swaying around unable to face our unanimous demands. They are struggling unable to accept our basic rights. This is why peace efforts cannot forge ahead. Where Tamils are concerned peace efforts are not new to them. During the 50-year politics we have engaged in many peace talks and have failed many a times. The old heads have retired from politics handing over the responsibility to the Tigers.

"Peace efforts are not new to the Tigers. Commencing from Timpu talks went to Delhi, Colombo, Jaffna and now they are going from Thailand, Norway and continuing in Germany. Peace and war had been expanding and now the talks are taking a new turn. Talks of leaders like father Chelva were based on non-violence. Today we are talking on artillery strength. They discussed un-armed but today we are discussing having equal military strength. We are talking with pride knowing that we cannot be defeated militarily.

"Sinhala leaders are confused; Balasingham has made things complicated for them. There is a drama taking place in which Balasingham is an actor. If Balasingham is an engine driver the leader has annexed two compartments which are represented by two Commanders of the north and east. They are only used to destroying in a war. They have no experience in negotiations and it is difficult for me to control them.

"Our situation is not this. It is true that our land has been devastated in the war. You are the backbone of our economy. It is because of you that our society and our brethren are progressing. The Sinhala Nation is aware of this reality. The Sinhala nation has no talent to fight and has no dedication. Soldiers are deserting the army. Even after getting trained in countries like America, Israel, India, Pakistan and after purchasing sophisticated weapons they could not defeat the Tigers. Therefore the international community urged them to find a solution through negotiation. They had no alternative but to come for talks. The current talks will not lead to a settlement. You know the political history for the past 50 years. You may ask why we are going for talks when we do not have confidence. We are utilizing the talks to unveil the true face of the Sinhala Nation to the international community. We will make this an opportunity to show that they are not honest.

"The Sinhala nation made three of our cadres to sacrifice their lives in Neduntivu in vain. This is a conspiracy and our leader is very angry over this. Their lives were snatched away in the name of peace. Even after this provocative incident we did not quit the negotiation table. We were patient. We did not do this in fear of the troops or the Sinhalese. We did express our protest in a stronger note and continued talks. Atrocities of the troops like humiliating our cadres, arresting them and keeping them in custody continue. On many occasions our female cadres have been humiliated. Yet we are calm. There is a reason for this. We want to show the world that we are ready to honestly work for a peaceful settlement. We are eager to find a peaceful solution. This is why we are participating in the talks even after we were humiliated."