Colombo's response will determine Talks' future - Pathuman

[TamilNet, Monday, 12 May 2003, 00:17 GMT]
"We will regain hope for peace if the response from the Sri Lanka government to our letter is positive and constructive," said the Trincomalee district commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Colonel Pathuman, Saturday evening at a passing out event held at LTTE controlled Ralkuli village in Muttur division where certificates were awarded to a group of LTTE cadres who qualified as junior officers after arms training, sources said.

"We are disappointed over the peace talks which have been going on for the last fourteen months. Not a single rupee has been allocated for the rehabilitation of internally displaced by the government. Some critics say that the LTTE would derail the peace process and go for war once again. I say that choice between renewal of war and to continue with the present peace process is now in the hands of the government and not with the LTTE," said Colonel Pathuman.

Colonel Pathuman further said, "at this stage it is our duty to safeguard our people. No one can interfere in this aspect. The arms' training given to our cadres is to strengthen the security of our people and our military infrastructure."





Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE Mr.S.Thilak said, "we must maintain our military might. Then only we would be successful in reaching a solution that meets the aspirations of our people throught the present peace process."

Every successive government in power speaks of a peaceful solution to the problem. But at the same time they procure arms and strengthen their military structure. Their main aim to suppress Tamils' rights and to uproot them from their traditional homelands, Mr.Thilak said.

"People would ask that while participating in the peace talks why we are giving arms training LTTE cadres. I would say that the present peace environment has dawned because of our military might. When we lose our military strength that will be the end of the peace process. Demonstration of our military strength is a key to sustain the peace process," said Mr.Tilak.

"We believe in peace. We would be glad if we regained our lost rights through the peace process. We could win war or peace only through strengthening of our military might," said LTTE district political head Mr.Thilak.

Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham also spoke. Mr.Ilakkian, head of the military training school presided.

Colonel Pathuman, senior commander of the LTTE Mathu, district political head Mr.Thilak and parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairetnasingham gave away the certificates and prizes to the passing out junior officers, sources said.