They have banned foreign terrorist groups operating on their soil and it was only recently that the FBI posted a warning on its website for the American public to beware of the LTTE. The outfit also stands proscribed in the EU. But, ironically, those crusaders against terrorism don't recognise Sri Lanka's right to deal with the LTTE the way the US and the UK are tackling Al Qaeda terrorism.

Whenever the LTTE fights its way into a military cul-de-sac with an ignominious defeat staring it in the face, we have foreign 'dignitaries' rushing here in their droves on flimsy pretexts to throw a lifeline to the sinking outfit. In 1987, the LTTE would have been crushed once and for all if India had wisely desisted from putting the brakes on Operation Liberation through gunboat diplomacy and the attendant violation of Sri Lanka's airspace. India's bˆtise gave a new lease of life to Prabhakaran and his boys who in turn killed their one time mentor Rajiv Gandhi and over one thousand Jawans. Having learnt her bitter lessons, India is wary of repeating that costly blunder.

But, today, at a time when the LTTE is on the verge of collapse, some western governments are essaying a rescue operation. Their modi operandi are, however, different. Instead of direct action, they are using more sophisticated methods. India forced parippu (lentils) down Sri Lanka's throat from the air but the 'enlightened' liberal nations of the Occident are using human rights to strangle her. Their methods may differ but the end remains the same-perpetuation of the conflict at a manageable level in keeping with their hidden agenda.

The latest rescue effort comes from the EU, which has sent some functionaries here. They are putting on airs and graces and making pronouncements on the human rights situation in this country. They also want to visit the Wanni to meet the LTTE! Sadly, they are still cherishing the delusion that there is a peace process. It is intriguing why the EU shut out the electronic media from its press briefing where its visiting representatives waxed eloquent. Isn't it the EU that pontificates to the developing world about transparency? How come TV stations were debarred from covering an event that was open to the print media? (We thought the local TV stations would stage a huge protest at the Lipton Circus against discrimination and humiliation they suffered at the hands of the EU.)

What has the EU got to discuss with the LTTE so urgently at this particular juncture? It had time from 2002 until the government officially withdrew from a moribund ceasefire, to discuss anything with the outfit and prevent it from plunging the country back into war. It was in 2006 that the EU and other Co-Chairs should have intervened to prevent the LTTE from scuttling the fragile truce by capturing the Mavil Aru reservoir.

In trying to revive 'the peace process', the EU is only flogging a dead horse. Before making such a vain attempt, the EU ought to have a look at the past peace processes to see what the LTTE has done to them. It torpedoed the peace process that President J. R. Jayewardene entered into in 1987 at the behest of India even after the implementation of the Indian remedy. The LTTE not only defied India but also took on the mighty Indian army, as was said earlier.

Then, it pulled the wool over President Ranasinghe Premadasa's eyes. He naively sought to make peace with Prabhakaran. The LTTE, true to form, derailed the peace process in 1990 and killed him in 1993, having obtained money, arms and ammunition and building material from him to fight the IPKF.

President D. B. Wijetunga (1993-94) avoided peace traps but his successor President Chandrika Kumaratunga blundered by walking into one. She embarked on an ambitious peace project in 1994, having offered the entire Northern Province to Prabhakaran for ten years without elections, but in vain. She realised Prabhakaran had taken her for a right royal ride only when he blew two gunboats sky high in the Trincomalee harbour in April 1995. Then, she had to launch her 'war for peace' campaign. Unlike all other Presidents, she was a firm believer in devolution by way of a solution. But, she also failed to make peace with Prabhakaran.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe (2001-2004) thought in terms of an international safety net when he plunged feet first into a peace process with the LTTE. It took him less than one year to be disillusioned. The LTTE walked away from talks by demanding an ISGA in 2003 dashing his hopes of a solution. Ranil bent over backwards, as they say, to salvage the peace process to the point of being accused of appeasing the LTTE. After his government was sacked, President Kumaratunga continued with the peace process sans talks.

By the time the present President was elected, Prabhakaran had already decided to bury the peace process, which was dead in all but name. He promised war in his 2005 heroes' day speech a few days after President Mahinda Rajapaksa's election and resumed hostilities by going on a claymore mine spree against the police and the armed forces shortly afterwards. President Rajapaksa despite being branded a hawk took it all lying down until the capture of the Mavil Aru reservoir, which he couldn't ignore, as he knew the LTTE wouldn't stop at that.

So, we are where we are, thanks to the LTTE. It will certainly grab any opportunity today to get a breather, regroup and rearm so that it will be in a position to resume war later on when conditions improve for it locally and internationally. The EU should remember that Prabhakaran has promised its proxy alliance a Kosovo-type solution with the help of the international community. Is the EU trying to prepare the grounds for his Kosovo?

As far as we can remember, the EU has categorically stated that the LTTE has spurned all proposed solutions from Provincial Councils to federalism. In a joint a resolution on Sri Lanka this was what the European Parliament said on Sept. 6, 2006.

"[European Parliament] Condemns the intransigence of the LTTE leadership over the years, which has successively rejected so many possible ways forward, including devolution at the provincial level or Provincial Councils; devolution at the regional level or Regional Councils; as well as the concept of a federation with devolution at the national level."

So, the question that the EU and its representatives here should answer is what they want the government to negotiate with the LTTE. Is it secession?

Courtesy - The Island