The Hindu : LTTE rules out disarming cadres

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

LTTE rules out disarming cadres

By V.S. Sambandan

NAKORN PATHOM (Thailand) Jan. 9. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) today described its military strength as its ``bargaining power'' and ruled out any discussion on reducing it, ``until a final political settlement is reached'' as that would be ``suicidal on our part''.

``It is non-negotiable,'' said Anton S. Balasingham, LTTE's chief negotiator at the Sri Lanka peace talks, which ended here today.

``Disarming of our cadres or decommissioning of our weapons at this stage without a permanent settlement is suicidal on our part because military power is the power of our people. It is the bargaining power of the Tamils. It is the instrument of security of our people,'' he said at a press conference after the fourth session of talks with the Sri Lankan Government held under Norwegian facilitation. ``We have to bargain from a position of strength. We have to work out a solution that satisfies the aspirations of our people. Till then, the question of disarming doesn't arise. But it doesn't mean that there will be a need to recourse to violence. I don't think so. There is no need to recourse to violence.''

The LTTE's forces, unlike the IRA's and the Palestinians', had major conventional weapons, but was ``confined to the barracks'' after last year's ceasefire agreement, Mr. Balasingham said. ``We are not a threat to anybody. Until a final political settlement is reached, the question of disarming will not arise,'' he said firmly.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Dual citizenship for PIOs in some countries: PM

A good beginning has been made, says Muivah

Agni missile test-fired successfully

Mirwaiz passport suspended

LTTE rules out disarming cadres

Blast suspect deported

SA Games from March 9

Supports prosecution

Red alert

7 killed in encounter