Plain speaking, but motives unknown - Paper

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 December 1997, 23:59 GMT]
"The Deputy Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Mr.A.L.A.M Hisbullah is speaking realistically about the ethnic problem although he is in the government" said the Eelanatham in its editorial this morning.

The Eelanatham is the only daily paper published in the LTTE controlled Vanni.

"Though it is not clear whether this is due to the concern he has in solving the current political crisis or whether it is due to the interest he has in the votes of Batticaloa, he speaks with clarity."

"He states that a military solution to the ethnic problem is not possible and that only a political solution with the LTTE's sanction and co-operation is viable.This is the truth today. The war will go on if the LTTE is not party to a political solution" says the editorial.

Mr. Hisbullah is a senior leader of the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress.