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A change of the image of the LTTE in the minds of the international community

The false propaganda carried out by the governments of Sri Lanka to discredit the LTTE in the past is gradually becoming ineffective and proving to be a flop.

The western world earlier believed the mud slinging work of the Singhala state that painted a disgraceful picture posing the LTTE as enemies of peace and a warring faction of terrorists.

But the LTTE's enthusiasm in the last two years of peace efforts, their flexibility in negotiations, honest approaches and diplomatic moves have uprooted the misgivings of the western nations.

Even when the Government of Sri Lanka(GOSL) was not steadfast in adhering to the terms and conditions of the MoU signed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe and the LTTE leader Mr. V. Prabaharan the LTTE did not terminate the peace negotiations. On the contrary they helped to keep the peace efforts alive by way of compromise and allowing time for the GOSL.

Even when the Sri Lankan Navy attacked the LTTE's merchant ship and destroyed it during the ceasefire they showed utmost patience and forbearance. Sri Lankan Navy caused the death of the LTTE cadres in the Tamil Eelam waters and yet the LTTE did not attempt to disrupt the peace process. Recently Madame Chandrika snatched some ministries of Ranil's government and followed suit with the declaration of a state of emergency causing tension in the country. Consequently there was thinking in the world forums that the LTTE was going to close down the A-9 highway and put an end to peace negotiations. But the LTTE did not grow impatient. They joined hands with the peace loving international community that endeavors for peace and kept on bearing the torch of peace with utmost care to see its light not dimmed or expelled.

Although the Singhala party behaved in such ways as to disturb the peace efforts the political maturity shown by the LTTE's intelligent moves have counteracted and this very much impressed the international community and served as a factor of their attention towards the LTTE.

Due to this factor that attracted the attention of the peace loving international community, representatives and diplomats of many nations and world states, by their visit to Kilinochchi and by their discussions and exchanges of views with the LTTE leadership and its deputies, have expressed their appreciation and esteemed regards for the LTTE. When the peace negotiations were hindered by the power rivalry between the Singhala leaders, the donor nations, with the noble intention of getting the negotiations restarted, laid constraints on the Sri Lankan state announcing that aids would be granted only when the peace dialogue with the LTTE recommenced and progressed. There is not any sign to this day of the Singhalese leaders reconciling with each other. Their rivalry is only growing intense and the political crisis is worsening.

As it was LTTE wished to invite the donor nations and international financial institutions to Kilinochchi for a conference on NorthEast development. And this wish of the LTTE materialized. Political observers consider it a tremendous success for the LTTE that the invitees promptly responded to the call and participated at the conference. The participants did not stop with having just participated but consented to extend their financial support for NorthEast development. This succeeding success is a political score for the LTTE.

These donor nations and international institutions unconditionally acceding to the request of the LTTE to develop the NorthEast is construed as an international endorsement of LTTE's activity especially in the backdrop of having laid preconditions for the Government of Sri Lanka to obtain the promised aids.

This decision of the international community to unconditionally assist as requested by the LTTE has irritated the Singhala south as it looks as if the Government of Sri Lanka is penalized and the LTTE is rewarded.

The LTTE have not been in any way the cause of the political crisis that emerged in the south. Hence the donors, while having to reprimand the GOSL, deemed it deserving for the LTTE and their NorthEast people as equal beneficiary of peace to be saved from being affected by the delay of assistance.

The LTTE has been politically utilizing the two year long period of ceasefire and that too in the right manner. They have been achieving great success in removing the misgivings against them and establishing the reasonability of the political struggle of the NorthEast Tamils. At the same time they have also been successfully exposing the obstinacy and majoritarianism of the ruling parties in Sri Lanka.

The allegations and criticisms levelled against the LTTE have now boomeranged on the ruling parties who are proved to be truly befitting to the type of their own allegations.

It is now a matter for rejoice for the NorthEast Tamils that the international community has begun to understand the depth of the NorthEast national question, which of the contending parties is weighty on reasons, which party is bent on peace and which party stoops to warmongering.

10 February 2004

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