24.7.2008

Archbishop Oswald Gomis expressing his views to Vatican Radio pointed out that the opportunities for dialogue with the LTTE is basically nonexistent as the war has reached a decisive stage and added that fighting will likely prove to be the only way to end the conflict.

He said, "There are certain people who feel that this may be the only way to a solution; though there are those who still advocate peace talks.

"I mean the ideal would be if they could come to terms, and the government has certainly said they are prepared to have talks provided the rebels give up their arms; however the Tamil Tigers have said they will not give up their arms -- so it's a stalemate there."

However, he noted that an important distinction must be made between the insurgents who are fighting and the Tamil population as a whole, which he says are two separate peoples. "They say that the fighters are one particular terrorist group and not all the Tamils, so even the Tamils are held ransom by these people.

"'So first of all you must crush them if you want to have a peaceful solution,' that's what most of the people are thinking and that has become a common opinion, not that we share it."

Archbishop Gomis expressed his resignation that a truly peaceful solution may no longer be possible, and that all anyone can basically do at this point is sit, watch and wait.

Meanwhile the international media organizations closely monitoring the current development of the island are of the view that the unilateral ceasefire declared by the LTTE is only a result of the string of victories gained by the Government troops causing severe setbacks to the terrorists outfit.

Heavy fighting between government and LTTE has intensified in recent days along the frontlines in the north with the security forces stepping up ground assaults and air strikes.