PM
speaks on himself, Anura and the state of the nation
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse
laughs off the Aug. 4 deadline to quit his job in this wide-ranging
interview with Rajpal Abeynayake. Excerpts:
Q: Mr. Prime Minister you were in
India, and what do the Indians say on the ISGA -- anything adverse?
And on Karuna?
A: What they're saying is that the Interim government is
a part of the final solution. That's their position and they've
not changed on that. They did not discuss the Karuna issue with
me at all.
Q:
The Norwegians say it is a very bad sign that both sides are not
interested at all about the progress of the peace process.
A: Actually we are interested. We've given the task to
persuade the LTTE to the Norwegians. It's up to them now.
Q:
How about the JVP?
A: What the JVP says is they're not against talks. What
they say is "discuss the final solution (and with that final
solution) the Interim administration should be a part of that final
solution.''
Q:
How about the stability of the government. Isn't that an issue?
A: Now we can show a majority. The priests are coming in.
They've indicated that they want to come in, but there are some
obstacles. Some problems…in Parliament and all. We were ready
from the start, but now I think they're willing to come, and I have
a feeling that they are now drafting the MoU to come in.
Q:
There's another thing that I think people worry about. All papers
stated when you became PM that you gave some sort of letter -- a
letter saying that you will resign on August 4 and now August 4
is four five days ahead?
A: I have not given a letter.
Q:
You have not given a letter, any letter of any sort?
A: (The Prime Minister does not answer that question but
laughs.)
Q:
Any comments about the other matters, about the constitutional issues
and all?
A: Some people say we must get the 2/3 majority and change
the constitution. Some say if we have 113 then we can go for a constituent
assembly and change it. Now as I understand if the Constitution
cannot be changed we want to change the electoral system by a Select
Committee.
Q:
But most probably now you'll get to be running for President!
A: She might try to get her brother. I think he is also
there -- but I don't know now what finally will happen. But knowing
Anura he will claim for it.
Q:
You must know, of course, that the Indians want you to, that they're
backing you to the hilt.
A: Otherwise they wouldn't have given me that much of (a
welcome…) They don't want to get involved but you can see
that they are pressurising. When that (TNA) MP was deported you
could see that they gave a clear signal.
Q:
..applying pressure, saying (to the LTTE) you must come for these
peace talks?
A: This is what I feel.
Q:
Relations with the UNP are also important because … things
are happening…. This latest matter about the Chief Justice.
Now they want to have a Select Committee on that?
A: They have drafted the Select Committee proposal, and
I'm not sure about it, but if you get to this Wijaydasa Rajapaksha's
letter to the Speaker he has made the point that it violates the
constitution or something like that. So what I must do is work with
the Speaker and find out what the legal position is; we can do that.
.The other thing is Parliament is not a place where you discuss
about private lives. If Committees look into CJ's private life,
then they will ask…
Q:
But the issue is not his private life as far as I can see. What
they're talking about is his interference because he has told the
police that, the police are guilty of a conspiracy against him because
of some court cases. That's a bit of a serious issue don't you think?
A: I think we must not get involved in that. Why should
parliament get involved in it? We can get the IGP to look into that
and have an inquiry into that. Let the police look into that. Why
parliament - a Select Committee.
Q:
The police cannot look into it because the police themselves are
involved in it. That's the other side of it isn't it?
A: When somebody accuses a police officer, who will inquire
into it?
Q:
There should be another body?
A. There is no other body. Then the police will (in the
general practice) get some other police officer to inquire into
it. Or a Presidential Commission can be appointed.
Q:
On the general state of affairs, there is a feeling that the cost
of living is going up due to instability and all that -- it seems
to be because of a view that the government is not so stable……
A: I think it is not because of that. Not that the government
is not stable. With this system with the Executive President and
the parliament with the same party, naturally the government will
be stable. There is nothing to worry about it.
Q:
The Presidency is okay -- but the government itself is not stable
because of the lack of numbers in parliament. Of course now you
say the numbers are there…
A: The numbers issue - we must ignore that. We must not
think of numbers.
Q:
But no legislation has been passed in parliament, and people have
a feeling under these circumstances that the government is not effective.
A: No, on those things, I think that when the government
wants to pass legislation it has to be discussed with the opposition
and done that way. It is not a matter only for the government -
it is the duty of the opposition also to pass the legislation.
Q:
So far nothing has materialised though in terms of legislation….
A: That's the problem that's what people are talking about.
Now we are ready with some legislation and we are going to introduce
it.
(speaking on another matter, the PM says…..) When there is
an Executive president as Premadasa said the PM is a peon.
Q:
But you don't say that?
A: (laughs)
Q:
You have not taken any direct initiatives on the peace process.
A: No …But I will watch the situation but not get
involved. If I get involved I will not be able to do anything. We
had the treble R projects under the Prime Minister but its now all
under her (President.).
Q:
Well maybe its better for you, you can build your political base
because ultimately your votes are in the South. Of course I'm not
saying the minority votes are not important.
A: Even the minority will think that "he has nothing
to do with this'' if I don't get involved. When I was the Minister
of Fisheries I helped them build their fisheries housing schemes,
in many places such as Jaffna, Batticola etc., in the North East.
Q:
How about the CWC. There is so much speculation - they are joining
the government, they are not etc., what's the story?
A: No no now they want to come for discussions. They have
given us a shopping list - some of course of things we won't be
able to provide..
Q:
But the monks and CWC being in the same coalition -- is it possible?
A: Why, don't you know that they signed an MoU?
Q:
The monks said from the very beginning that they are not coming
into government - isn't that clear?
A: No, they will support the government.
Q:
That is on a case by case basis, isn't it?
A: Now I think they are going to sign in a different way...
Q:
To fully support?
A: Yes. They are pressurised by their people. Most of them
are supporters of the SLFP. They were anti- UNP. If they weren't
they would have voted for the UNP.
Q:
But now that the government is willing to talk etc., and most of
their voters (JHU) obviously being anti ISGA etc., will that happen?
A: On that of course I think even the Buddhist priests
will not like it. So she will have to decide on it - how she will
manage this thing; whether to discuss the interim as part of a final
solution etc.
Q:
But in the meantime there are many votes -- budget etc. on the cards.
What if the government is unable to pass the budget for instance?
A: No, that won't happen. Ranil is not ready, the UNP is
not ready - - there are factions. You can see that.
Q:
But even so the economy is faltering… the dollar is rising
against the rupee and the cost of living is rising.
A: That is a problem because the oil prices are going up.
There the Indian credit line has helped. But soon either we have
to go to the Gulf countries and find a solution or..
Q:
But what is the general plan? Also the government's plan for development.
You are also Minister of Highways, what's the grand plan there?
A: We have enough money. Now if you notice, we have already
started about 28 projects. Bridges, roads, etc.
Q:
But the traffic is terrible in Colombo also, where it seems the
congestion is becoming impossible.
A: Now we have plans for a new road. Some small fellow
- a three wheeler driver -- said "there is a small road here
Sir, your traffic problem will be solved if this road is done on
that side of the Kanatta.'' Then I told our fellow to go and see
it. They came and said that is a good alternative. You can get ideas
from people who are moving around the country. They are better than
most of these pundits.
Q:
But is there no master plan for mass transit – some sort of
real project like a sub-way project (India has one)?
A: That is coming, I think. We are going to have a new
monorail train that goes above the surface ("ara udin yana
ekak""). The UDA, Transport and Highways Ministries have
all got together to ensure that it will come, I think.
The Indians have already said they are interested and even the Chinese
have said they are interested and there is a proposal. We have to
do that I think. Transport is under one Minister, Highways under
somebody else and these are problems also.
Q:
You are building your base very fast and people are getting the
impression Rajapakse will be the next President or next Presidential
candidate at least. You have had lot of interaction with the press
recently, so is there a master plan?
A: There is no plan (laughs) but that is my way. I never
planned to be the leader of the Opposition but it happened. My policy
is the service I have done from the 70s. From the Pada Yatras to
all the other agitation. I started the Pada Yatras to put Anura
on top. But unfortunately he..
Q:
Disappointed you?…..
A: He disappointed us. So I'm doing this for the party.
As it happens my base grows automatically - - what can I do about
it (laughs.)The other thing is about the minorities. Say in police
stations when they complain there are no Tamil officers to take
it down. We need to either recruit Tamils to fill this void or train
Sinhalese to take complaints in Tamil. We must see that justice
is done . The Southern politicians must have one voice; nothing
can be done otherwise. |
