13.7.2008
He
was not aware as yet of Indian diplomats arriving in Colombo
for the SAARC Summit bringing their own security, however
he saw nothing wrong in leaders of countries having their
own security when they travel abroad, said President Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressing the Indian media yesterday (July 12).
He
was answering questions regarding security for Indian delegates
to the SAARC Summit in Colombo, at a press conference at
Thirupathy in Andhra Pradesh, prior to his departure for
Sri Lanka.
"I
have my own security here. It is natural. Any leader who
comes to another country will not just walk in there. They
will bring their own security. We consider it our duty to
look after their security while in Sri Lanka, but they also
bring their own security. Every leader does that",
the President said.
Answering
a question about a statement by the LTTE's Political Wing
leader, Nadesan, that the Government was not willing to
reopen negotiations, President Rajapaksa said the government
was ready even today.
"I
am ready today. Let them keep their weapons down, because
whenever they are weak they are ready for talks."
Asked
about possible deadline for talks with the LTTE, President
Rajapaksa said there was no deadline as it was up to the
LTTE. "From my side, we are ready. Only, they must
give up arms, and give up terrorism. You know the problems
you have in your own country with terrorists and terrorist
organisations."
"See
what happened in Kabul. Terrorism strikes in Kabul, New
York, London and Colombo. It is all the same. You cannot
achieve anything through terrorism," he said. Asked
whether he was interested in mediation, he said it should
be possible to settle this matter by direct discussions:
"We are all Sri Lankans, we are all brothers, whether
we are from the North, East or South. Surely we can settle
this by talking to each other".
President
Rajapaksa explained in detail how the LTTE had been carrying
out attacks on civilians, women and children, for more than
20 years, even when a Ceasefire Agreement was in place.
He said that within two weeks of his election in November
2005, the LTTE had resumed violence that had gone on for
months killing over 200 civilians and unarmed soldiers.
The
government had sought negotiations in Geneva and Oslo, which
were rejected by the LTTE. The current operation to defeat
terrorism had begun only after the LTTE closed the Mavil
Aru anicut in mid-2006 cutting off water for drinking and
agriculture to more than 15,000 families. The LTTE had rejected
the pleas of the government to open the anicut and give
water to the people.
He
said the LTTE had now been defeated in the East, where an
election was held, and a former LTTE cadre, who had joined
as child soldier when 15 years old, was now the elected
Chief Minister.
On
relationships with India, the President said there were
very good relations between India and Sri Lanka. "India
has always helped Sri Lanka, and now they are helping to
train our people, our soldiers". The countries of the
Indian sub-continent region were regularly exchanging intelligence
and information of terrorism, he said.
Referring
to allegations of the Sri Lankan Navy harassing Indian fishermen
of Rameshwaram, President Rajapaksa said this was not so.
He explained that fishing boats in large numbers came into
this area from India, and the LTTE captured some of these
boats and use them to transport weapons and explosives.
The Sri Lanka Navy had to act against these move of the
LTTE.
"You
must remember that the LTTE killed one of the greatest leaders
of India (Rajiv Gandhi) who tried to help the LTTE to come
to negotiations. You must always remember that". He
said that subject to correction, he had heard it said that
he (Rajiv Gandhi) had offered to give his own bullet proof
vest to the LTTE leader, when the latter had said he feared
to return to Sri Lanka.
Courtesy
: Sunday Observer |