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Getting ready for the big match
In the jungles of the Wanni, the undisputed
leader of the striped kind was secretly meeting with his theoretician just before the talks to discuss strategy.
"So, Bala, what would it be like in Bangkok?"
"I am certain we can get a huge amount of publicity out of this exercise."
"Yes, of course, that is exactly why we should go along with it."
"And we can also become respectable once again."
"Yes, Bala, that was also one of the reasons why I agreed."
"But the question is, what do we do next?"
"Time is on our side, isn't it?"
"Why do you say that? Time is certainly running out for me."
"Well, it took them nine months to come to this stage and even then, the talks are only for three days."
"So, what are you suggesting?"
"Well, we can agree to keep the dialogue going and I am sure they will be eager to show that they can at least keep us talking instead of fighting."
"Are you suggesting that we just keep the process going."
"We can say something like agreeing to continue the on-going peace efforts or some such nonsense."
"And maybe even fix dates for another round of talks which will be another few months away."
"Yes, and we could make a few more demands in the mean time, now that we have got the ban lifted."
"And they will only be too happy to give in to these demands."
"Of course, they have to or else everyone will say they lifted the ban but gained nothing in return. So, they would do anything just to keep their critics silent."
"Why have the critics suddenly become activated?"
"Why, they are again saying they can win the war now."
"How do they think they can do that, all of a sudden?"
"Why, they seem to think that war was not fought properly because all the money was being spent on certificates of deposit."
"But even then, we might still have a few problems."
"What are you thinking of?"
"What if they make a really good offer."
"Of course we will have to say that it needs to be studied further and ask for more time."
"And then there are the ladies."
"The ladies? What do you mean, Bala?"
"The lady in Colombo may not agree to implement whatever we agree on in Bangkok."
"Leave that lady to the Greens. I think they will handle her."
"Then there is the lady in Madras who wants you on trial."
"That's my worry as well, Bala. You see, whatever I agree to, I will no longer be the undisputed leader."
"You will have to think about that."
"But I don't want to stand for elections, asking for preference votes."
"I can understand that. So, what we can do is to buy some time until you work out something for yourself. An honourable retirement, perhaps."
"So, you think we can work something out."
"Who knows, the Norwegians might be able to work something out, if that is the only thing standing in the way."
"But do you think the greens can come up with a good offer for us?"
"I think they will be happy if we mind our business here, so long as they carry out their plans in the south."
"That's not a bad idea."
"In fact, it will be all we are asking for except in name."
"But Bala, you must make sure that all our strategies remain a secret until the very last minute."
"Well, they will remain a secret unless I do one thing."
"What's that, Bala? leave it in a brief case?"
"No! no! put the records of all our discussions in a safety deposit box in a bank."
Even the leader of the striped kind, didn't disagree with that.

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