ANANDASANGAREE TELLS TAMILS:

Tamil United Liberation Front Leader V. Anandasangaree, who toured South Africa recently, reveals his fresh insights on achieving peace and reconciliation, in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. "If you want to be a patriot, love your country and its people," says Anandasangaree, an outstanding critic of the LTTE and a vociferous advocate of extensive devolution.

Anandasangaree remarks that "we have a lot to learn from South Africa" where previously bitter enemies now work together for the betterment of their country. He also talks about the Tripartite Alliance of Tamil parties and expresses doubts over whether the LTTE will ever be keen on a negotiated settlement.

Manjula Fernando and Siva Subramaniam

Q: You have just returned from an extensive tour of South Africa. What was your mission there?

A: To assess the ground situation there. There were a lot of misconceptions about the Sri Lankan situation. We wanted the whole world to know the truth. The people, especially the Tamils of Indian origin were highly biased against the Government and were pro- LTTE. A TNA MP had travelled to South Africa before us and had created as much damage as possible.

One girl put a question to me if it was true that 70,000 Tamil women have been raped. I said please don't disgrace me also. We are not a country of rapists. If you can mention 25 names I will quit politics.

This is the type of campaign they have carried out against the country. One Tamil was asking about the treatment given to the Muslims and claiming the LTTE was their saviour. He was very vociferous.

I explained about the IDP camps in Jaffna. The Muslims chased away from Jaffna by the LTTE are still languishing in IDP camps. They deprived the Muslims of all their possessions. We managed to clear all misconceptions.

Q: Did you meet the political leaders?

A: We have a lot to learn from South Africa. It's amazing to see how once hard fought enemies, live so peacefully. I will give you one example.

We met this lady, who was in the previous Apartheid regime. She said when the new Government was formed she never expected this type of amity would prevail.

She was worried how the people were going to survive. They expected chaos and killings. Nothing happened. You will be shocked to see white and coloured people living as those of the same family.

The credit goes to Nelson Mandela and the leaders. The Indian Tamils I met there said we would do our best to bring peace to our country and we will do what the Government requires us to do. I was surprised. Do we have people who say things like that here?

Q: It is said the South African Constitution is a model for a multi-ethnic state. The amity may be due to the Constitution?

A: I brought a copy of their constitution. Above all is their Bill of Rights. This is incorporated into their Constitution. This is a very good blueprint for us.

Q: We heard you have formed a new Tri-Partite Alliance?

A: Yes we [TULF, PLOTE and EPDP] have come together. We, as the Alliance met the President recently. We discussed devolution of power. He was suggesting devolution at district level was the best. I also agree, but today it won't work.

After so much of trouble and killings and damage to property, we can't go back now. Once given, if you try to take it back, there will be trouble. The political unit of devolution should be the provincial council.

Within this set-up, the districts can be given more powers. Anyway these are party proposals, not the proposals of the Government. We can take it up at the APRC meeting.

Q: How far have you gone with your Alliance?

A: We have just started the Alliance. We stand for a united Sri Lanka. There is no difference of opinion on that. We are for devolution at provincial level. We are committed to a merger of the North- East until a vote is taken with the participation of locals as promised by the Prime Minister.

The court has given a ruling on technical grounds. We should rectify the technical points without jumping at the idea and de-merging it.

Q: Have you, as an Alliance submitted your own proposals?

A: As far as I am concerned there is no point. Sidharthan of PLOTE has given oral evidence and the EPDP is said to be submitting their proposals. I am supportive of the Indian model. But the word federal somehow seems allergic to some.

So I thought we would support a proposal that is most suitable for us to consider as a basis for discussion. For example the Prof. Tissa Vitharana proposals, we can work on that. The framework seems to be acceptable to us.

Q: Will it be possible to sell the SLFP's district proposals?

A: Very difficult. The President was of the opinion that the LTTE may try to control Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu but other areas can be taken over by moderates. I said, no, it is not possible.

The LTTE has got the taste of it, they have enjoyed power without any real effort, merely with the gun. Unless you give more power to the provinces, it will be difficult to weaken the LTTE of their military pursuit.

Q: There is an allegation that the TNA is shouting too much without even submitting any proposals and you have also opted not to submit a proposal?

A: The TNA's position is totally different from ours. It is acting as the agent of the LTTE. The LTTE which is committed to separatism will not allow the TNA to come out with proposals. I don't think they will have the guts or the courage to submit a proposal defying the LTTE.

Q: Shouldn't your proposals be there, at least in point form when the parties finally try to come up with a final document?

A: We did not have any intention of evading the issue. If that is what, you, as a person who builds public opinion think, we would certainly think of submitting our own proposals. We would certainly consider. Our new Alliance will be meeting today (May 9).

Q: Any Change of political will from the LTTE after the demise of its theoretician Anton Balasingham?

A: I don't think so. Balasingham was the mouthpiece of the LTTE. I consider him as a sub-agent of the LTTE. He was just the London-based spokesman. Recently there was talk of granting a visa to Thamilselvam to travel to London. This would have not arisen if Balasingham was there.

Q: You mean to say there is no political will from the LTTE's side with or without Balasingham, for a peaceful settlement of the conflict?

A: It makes no difference. Ultimately it is Prabhakaran who decides.

Q: What is your view about the Human Rights allegations levelled against Sri Lanka by certain organisations and countries?

A: I have been very seriously considering that. If there are allegations against the Government that its agencies are violating human rights it is the duty of the Government to clear their name.

But my main question is, more violations take place in LTTE held areas, more people are killed in detention camps, torture chambers and dark room chambers.

I have been repeatedly pleading with the international community. But no one talks about it. It is a shame.

If anyone says there are no human rights violations in Sri Lanka, I deny that. I say there are and on a very large scale in LTTE held areas without being challenged by anybody even the Norwegians.

I once asked, if they (the Norwegians) have been able to go behind the iron curtain of the LTTE. Have you seen what is happening there? So who is responsible for that? I am asking this from the British Parliamentarians, some of them.

I have nothing against them. The person who opened the debate (on Sri Lanka in the House of Commons) made a wonderful speech. It is a pity that our people without reading and knowing what is going on, came out with demonstrations.

It was the best speech that could have ever been made in the British Parliament. If we antogonise them, we will be sending a wrong message to the European Union.

They will re-think of the LTTE ban. That was a mixture of views of Parliamentarians. Some of the MPs entirely depend on a few Tamil votes. Such MPs have some duty to please them.

Every day I get calls from somebody in Switzerland or Germany pleading me to tell the Government to allow a friendly force to come here and liberate the area (North and East). Child conscription continues on a grand scale and children are hidden away from the LTTE.

When Allan Rock was here I briefed him of this situation. No one can enter most of the LTTE areas.

Q: In all the fora including at international level the LTTE has been voicing they are for a political settlement. Are they serious about a peaceful settlement?

A: They are not serious about it at all. If they are, why would they go around purchasing arms? Their prank of fireworks in the air was also to their disadvantage.

Q: How do you categorise the situation of the TNA?

A: I am sorry for them. When Thamilselvam goes on a so-called mission to fight for rights of the Tamil people, Sampanthan holds a mock funeral in Parliament. This is the fate of the Tamil community. Sampanthan is a good negotiator and a man who can do something for this country.

Q: As a person who continues to fight for Tamils' rights, what is your advice for the Tamil people at this moment?

A: If you want to be a real patriot love your country and its people.

Courtesy : Daily News