Japanese get stuck in with more damage control
By Out Political Editor
Evidently embarrassed by The Sunday Times report, and the ensuing furore over the Japanese government's 35.2 million direct aid to the LTTE, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo applied more pressure on the SCOPP (sub committee on the peace process) to issue another statement clarifying matters relating to the grant of Rs. 35.2 million to the LTTE Secretariat. This is the second explanation by the SCOPP. The first was issued soon after our report. Then came the denial letter from the Japanese embassy. The denial was carried last week with our Diplomatic Correspondent's own remarks. This has placed the Embassy in a further dither. The reasons for asking SCOPP to issue another denial/clarification are threefold:

First was that Japan's special envoy Yasushi Akashi is arriving in Colombo next week, possibly on Wednesday. His main task is to take part in the SIHRN (Sub Committee on Immediate Humanitarian needs in the Northeast) meeting. It is taking place in Nilaveli (Possibly the Nilaveli Beach hotel) in Trincomalee. The exact date will be announced in Berlin. Akashi is going to be key player, particularly in the view of two events - firstly the talks in March being held in Japan and the donor meeting later in Japan in June. (Though the Japanese Foreign Ministry has leaked the story that talks would be hosted by Japan in March, it is not clear whether LTTE's Anton Balasingham will attend in view of his reported ill health. LTTE sources believe that he would do so come what may, since winning over Japan is one of their intentions with the aid meeting ahead.)

Akashi and Thamilselvan are expected to hold talks in Trincomalee when the former goes there for the SIHRN meeting. But the bi-lateral talks are very much on the cards and arrangements are being made. Thamilselvan will fly in a helicopter to this meeting from Kilinochchi.

After his visit to Colombo for the SIHRN meeting, talks with Thamilselvan (and Premier Wickremesinghe who has assigned him the title of International Affairs Advisor), Mr. Akashi will fly to New Delhi. His earlier visit to New Delhi was a good-will visit and had no official trappings. According to arrangements now being made, the proposed visit after his stint in Sri Lanka will be official.

In India, Akashi is billed to meet Foreign Minister Sinha, National Security Advisor Mishra, and Foreign Secretary Sibal. Mr Akashi will do a lot of explaining here about the next role that Japan hopes to play in the Sri Lanka peace process, in keeping with Japan's new pro active role in the world as a nation to be reckoned with in international realpolitic. But Japan's role in Sri Lanka is being strongly resisted by India. In this context, the embarrassment of explaining the grant of Rs 35.2 million to the LTTE by the Japanese government for which there was no publicity given in any form, has become a difficult task. This is why the SCOPP has been approached for the second time by the Japanese. The denial clarification letter that has been sent to this newspaper by the Japanese embassy official with regard to this grant to the LTTE is in itself embarrassing, as it admits that this was money from an agricultural loan which has been now set aside to buy office furniture and equipment.

As for Akashi, he is a close confidante of Prime Minister Koizumi, who is making a comeback into politics after failing last year to get elected as the Metropolitan Governor of Tokyo.

After his defeat he wants to enter politics and vie for the title of Foreign Minister. Being a mandarin of the Tokyo Foreign Ministry where he cut his teeth (in addition to the UN) he finds that Sri Lanka is the only country in Asia where Japanese can write a success story for themselves.

But India is totally miffed about Japan's policy of throwing money at the Sri Lankan conflict. When India joined the nuclear club by carrying out a nuclear test, Japan cut off millions of dollars in aid. Akashi is wooing India now, and Japan is hinting at the possibility of renewing aid for India. But India is not biting, and as things stand, India is adamant at not participating at the donor meeting for Sri Lanka in Japan.

Logistics and humanitarian issues
Though the peace talks were said to revolve around humanitarian issues, and therefore the ideal territory for humanitarians such as Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, they got off to a bad start for him because his bags along with those of some others had got carried to some destination other than Berlin. But things were sorted out soon, at least before the report about the suicide bomb in Delft, by which time Fernando was able at least to concentrate on bombs instead of bags.

But talking of pre-talk monoeuvres, Karuna flew from Batticoloa in a Sri Lanka Air force helicopter, and flying all the way to accompany him to Colombo was an Executive Director of the Airport. There were two other Tamil Tiger guerrillas who accompanied Karuna in the helicopter, and though they were not members of the official delegation they continued to enjoy all the government perks. One is Varadan who is an aide to Karuna and who attends to all his official talks including English translations.

It is to Varadan that an office has been allowed in the Eastern University in Batticaloa. Varadan and his friend who arrived by helicopter were frisked away in a Mercedes Benz car to Colombo. Arrangements for their travel had been made even before they arrived by helicopter. Not just the free helicopter flight for the duo, even travel arrangements are being borne officially. The reason for their visit to Colombo is not known.

Some Ministers assert their independence
Even if cohabitation is not working that well, Premier Wickremesinghe and Minister Milinda Moragoda briefed President Kumaratunga for nearly two hours on Tuesday. Later on Wednesday night, the Prime Minister attended a party hosted by President Kumaratunga at Janadipathi Mandiraya for senior officers of armed forces, police, diplomats and others to mark Independence Day. Overwhelmingly present there were many PA stalwarts.

This is despite a lot of haggling over arrangements for the Independence Day celebrations. Earlier, it had been suggested that President CBK should not make a speech at the event. The ceremony should only be made up of military parades and other displays including those by school children, it was suggested. But then, President CBK threatened to boycott the whole show. The PM had eventually agreed she should be allowed to speak. Some were trying to suggest that PM should also speak, but this suggestion did not sit well with either the PM or many others.

But, even more curiously, some important Ministers did not take part in the Independence Day celebrations. Minister Marapana was annoyed that seating arrangements did not give him the proper place according to what protocol demanded and didn't show up.. The Minister of Public Administration Vajira Abeywardena (the man whose Ministry is responsible for all the arrangements) was also absent

Interesting enough Mr. Abeywardena took part in the Independence Day ceremonies in Galle. There is controversy raging about a new top of the range Jaguar car he had imported. It is claimed that another Minister helped him overcome formalities (including Customs etc) to secure this vehicle. The UNP leadership is said to be unhappy over this. Is this why the ITN news bulletin on Tuesday night showing footage of Independence Day celebrations in Galle said Mr. Abeywardena arrived in the Jaguar and that was the first occasion he had used it?

As far as 'celebrations' went elsewhere however, it will be recalled that last year after the cessation of hostilities was made known, the LTTEers said there was not enough time to make arrangements for them to support the Independence Day events.. However, this time they gave strict instructions not to take part. Vehicles in Vavuniya went about with black flags.

Those who have granted the license for the LTTE to run the VoT radio station argue that they had now accepted our laws. But, last week LTTE said that they would not heed the Government order that LTTE vehicles obtain revenue licences to travel on roads under government control. They also said that they will not heed government demands that drivers should possess driving licenses. They have rejected both orders.
Near the Toppigala hills and around it where troops are located, reports have been received that the VoT broadcasts could be clearly heard. Some Northern fishermen had also said that they could hear the channel in the Palk Straits.

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