Peoples decide nations

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 June 2008, 23:49 GMT]
It is understandable when powers aspiring for international imperialism or regional imperialism coming out with statements guaranteeing territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Because, these powers have either failed in integrating their interests with the interests of the oppressed masses in Sri Lanka or have decided on promoting a militarized, oppressive and dictatorial state in Sri Lanka to suit their ambitions. But, why a country such as Norway should take side against an ongoing struggle of a people, by officially coming out with statements on territorial integrity, is the question, that too when it is committed to peace facilitation, asks Opinion Columnist Chivanadi.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway in a communiqué dated 15 June, 2008, said:

"In light of the recent public debate about Norwegian policy towards Sri Lanka, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Raymond Johansen, would like to stress the following:

"The policies guiding our engagement with Sri Lanka remain firm and will not change. Norway is committed to assist Sri Lanka in finding a solution to the ethnic conflict while respecting the country’s territorial integrity. Norway will support a negotiated solution that addresses the legitimate grievances of the Tamil speaking communities and is acceptable to all communities,” said the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Raymond Johansen.

The communiqué and the public debate mentioned by the Norwegian deputy minister could be in response to what the ruling party Councilor Trond Jensrud said on the previous day, addressing the Pongku Thamizh rally in Oslo, that the Tamil people deserve a free and independent country.

A questionable feature of official international responses towards the Eazham struggle is that the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka being treated as a Holy Cow.

In the bygone days of human civilization the might of the monarchs decided the boundaries of their countries. But when nation states first emerged in Europe, they were decided by the will of the peoples who identified themselves as nations. The will and struggle of the peoples drew and redrew national lines in Europe, finally to do away with lines as in the case of the European Union today.

Ironically, these very nation states in another part of the world, created colonial countries, deciding boundaries at their whims and fancies to suit their imperialistic purposes.

The peoples of those former colonies that failed as viable nation states struggle hard today to liberate themselves from the chains of injustice mounted on them as a legacy of colonialism.

But the trend of the so-called postmodern world is that certain powers have taken the responsibility of deciding the fates of countries onto their heads; where to draw new lines and where to guarantee existing lines.

There are no fixed criteria or universal human rights considerations for their decisions other than their own interests.

A dangerous trend in diplomacy and international relations today is that these powers have gone a step beyond their conventional role of guaranteeing boundaries from external threats and have started giving guarantees for internal integrity against struggling masses.

This is what happening in the case of the colonial creation of Ceylon that has changed the name to Sri Lanka. Certain powers have decided to give unjustified guarantees for its unity and territorial integrity even when the struggling party is not orchestrated or sponsored by countries or international forces outside of Sri Lanka.

The Eezham struggle is entirely a struggle of the people of Eezham and rightfully its diaspora.

What is clearly demonstrated is that imperialism and colonialism are not yet over. They have only taken new forms.

It is understandable when powers aspiring for international imperialism or regional imperialism in South Asia coming out with statements guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, even though it has clearly demonstrated its failure as a nation state ever since it became independent.

Because, these powers have either failed in integrating their interests with the interests of the oppressed masses in Sri Lanka or have decided on the course of promoting a militarized, oppressive and dictatorial state in Sri Lanka to carry out their ambitions. The consequences of what they do will surely be reaped by them.

But, why a country such as Norway should take side against an ongoing struggle of a people, by officially coming out with statements on territorial integrity is the question, that too when it is committed to peace facilitation and is still interested in pursuing it.

Whatever the compulsions may be, such a stand is likely to seriously affect the image, reputation and the role of Norway as a just facilitator of peace. Today’s world badly needs at least a few sane, neutral and upright countries as a last refuge of oppressed peoples all over the world.

Norway should not forget its struggle to become an independent country in Scandinavia, effectively using the principle of self-determination.

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