| TULF
leader won't bow to LTTE orders
Challenges LTTE's claim to be
the sole representative of Tamil people
By Shelani Perera
TULF President V. Anandasangaree, at serious odds with the LTTE
over the past few months, yesterday challenged the LTTE's position
as the sole representative of the Tamil people.
In a hard-hitting
interview, the TULF leader said he was not ready to be a yes man
of the LTTE though he fully supported the peace process and hoped
it would bring justice to the Tamil people.
Mr. Anandasangaree
said he was not alone in the party in holding such a view for the
TULF to play an independent role. He revealed that he met about
250 party members who supported his views. Amidst reports of a serious
rift in both the TULF and the TNA regarding the links with the LTTE,
Mr. Anandasangaree said he was ready to carry out reasonable requests
from the LTTE, but would not bow to any orders from it. Excerpts
from the interview:
- You have
been quoted as saying that the LTTE is not the sole representative
of the Tamil people. If so would not that be a significant change
in the TULF's stand?
We have no right to say that the LTTE is the sole representative
of the Tamil people, because there are several Tamil political
parties, which are strongly opposed to the LTTE. So how can we
talk of anyone being the sole representative? We can say that
ourselves but we cannot speak for other parties.
- But the
TNA has declared that the LTTE is the sole representative of the
Tamil people? There was a proposal by one of the parties to make
such a declaration in the agreement we reached before the elections.
The TULF said we had no mandate to make such a declaration. Perhaps,
some members of the TNA had acknowledged the LTTE as the sole
representative but that was probably to win votes. The TULF never
subscribed to that view.
- But your
former party chief M. Sivasithambaram also referred to the LTTE
as the sole representative? It may have been his personal view
at that time. His view cannot be taken as the party policy. Mr.
Sivasithamparam was not in the country when we signed the agreement
with other Tamil parties. May be he thought we agreed on declaring
the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil people. The main
clauses in the TNA agreement were for an end to the war, lifting
of the ban on the LTTE and starting peace talks. We said talks
should be held with the LTTE as we believed that peace could not
be achieved by talking to parties other than the LTTE. That is
the position, they maybe our representatives but we cannot call
them the sole representatives of the Tamil people. As for voicing
the views of the LTTE in parliament, we are ready to take up various
issues as an equal partner.
- But reports
say the LTTE has been dictating terms to the TNA? They cannot
force us. If proposals made by the LTTE are reasonable, we will
bring them up in parliament. Whatever we do or don't do, we won't
obstruct the peace process.
- What are
the reasons for your sudden change of position? That is the stand
I have been taking all along. There is no sudden change. I have
always held this position.
- Why were
you not present at the recent meeting between the TNA and LTTE
leaders? I did not attend some meetings, as I was not happy about
the way we were being described as just the mouthpiece for the
LTTE.
- Is India
bringing any pressure on the TULF regarding ties with the LTTE?
A: No. India does not interfere like that. I met the Indian High
Commissioner recently and told him his country should treat us
as an independent party.
- Was the
relationship between India and the TULF affected by the formation
of the TNA? I think so. Some members of the TNA went on describing
the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil people and I
believe India was not happy with that because of what the LTTE
had done in India. New Delhi may have thought we are trying to
justify the actions of the LTTE. We were not doing any such thing.
But only seeking justice and peace for our people.
- Are you
the only TULF member coming out so strongly or are there others
with you?
I am not alone. Last week, I met more than 250 party supporters
who are with me. R. Sampanthan and I are today most senior members
of the party, we know the full background and we know how things
work. I have a moral duty to keep the TULF flag flying. If I fail
in this duty, I would be failing those who worked so hard and
even died for the party.
- Do you feel
that the TULF could function effectively as a separate entity?
Of course. Not only that. I feel such an independent stance would
help the LTTE more than just being its "yes men". See
what is happening now. Earlier, foreign dignitaries and others
held talks with the TULF or the TNA regarding problems of the
Tamils. Now those dignitaries are bypassing us and going straight
to Kilinochchi for talks with LTTE leaders. I hope and believe
the peace talks would succeed. But in a worst case scenario, if
the talks fail, what would happen then? To whom would the foreign
representatives talk? I must make it clear I am not rising against
the LTTE. It was we who campaigned hard for the lifting of the
ban and for talks with the LTTE.
- You were
in the centre of controversy over the abortive opening of the
Jaffna Library. What happened? I can't understand how this became
such a big issue. The mayor informed me that they wanted me to
open the Jaffna Library. The building was 99% completed. The reasons
given by those who stood against the opening are unacceptable.
Some people said that there were no furniture and books and that
more time was needed to complete the library. Now they are saying
that the Library should have been retained in the ruined form
to show the world what happened. That is nonsense after spending
more than 200 million rupees. If they wanted to keep it as a monument,
they should have kept it that way. But who are these people who
are talking now? Some of them don't even know where the library
was.
- What is
the real cause of the rift within the TNA regarding links with
the LTTE?
The dispute started when a spokesman for the LTTE said that the
TNA had no role to play except to just carry out the LTTE orders.
After my protest, they reversed it.
Another dispute arose recently, when the LTTE did not allow a
ceremony to commemorate the slain TULF leader A. Amirthalingam.
- Do you feel
that the LTTE is trying to totally control the TNA? One report
said the LTTE wanted the TNA to consult it before voting on any
bill in parliament.
We have never consulted the LTTE so far on parliamentary matters.
It would be ideal if they treat us as an advisory body; that is
what I want. We will carry out LTTE requests but not its orders.
n How do you assess the progress of the peace process?
It is going on but I am wondering why it is taking so long. Delay
is detrimental.
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