More on ‘Terrorists, freedom fighters and Arafat’s friends’
By T. J. Jayasinghe - Thalawathugoda
We are compelled to present our observations about the point of view expressed by an ‘observer’ in ‘The Island of 21/8 under the above title.
We do not find fault with the ‘Observer’ for his/her attempt to whitewash CNN. It is no secret that US media is controlled by the Zionist lobby, which is hell bent on massacring as many Muslims as possible, but to show that it is unbiased it will give the half-baked views of a so- called opposite party. TV viewers could clearly see how the CNN correspondents present massacres of innocent civilians, many of whom are children. We see it in Iraq and saw it in Lebanon.
The ‘Observer’ appears to be unaware of the regular press briefings of Bush and those at the height of the anti-Muslim wars in Iraq, Afganistan and recently in Lebanon. His message is very clear and apart from attacking the US-created Al Quada, he reminds the press about the ‘nation first’ theory.
If the ‘Observer’ has still failed to accept the fact that LTTE is a terrorist organisation and that Prabhakaran is a convicted criminal here and in India, we feel sorry about him/her. It is an internationally accepted fact that LTTE is a terrorist organisation, but if the ‘Observer’ is in some way connected the LTTE, Norway, FMM or any such anti-war organisation, I shall accept his/her position. It is the duty of the head of the state to request the press not to present terrorists as freedom fighters as some do very often, and quite openly. Even Bush makes this appeal in his briefings.
The ‘Observer’ has failed to understand that both LTTE and Israel are on a land grabbing spree through terrorism. Let me remind the ‘Observer’ of the illegal occupation of Palestine in the first instance, followed by grabbing of land belonging to Palestinians through massacres beginning with the Dier Yassin massacre of over 250 innocent villagers. Terror gangs like ‘Irgun’ of former Israeli leaders cannot be forgotten. Even today Olmart is following in the footsteps of his predecessors. What the LTTE is doing in North and East by grabbing land and chasing out the Muslims, is a replay of Israeli acts. I recommend the ‘Observer’ to read the Island Midweek Review (22/8) article by Mr. K. Godage and learn a few things about the policies of Israel. For a comprehensive study the book mentioned by Mr. Godage, "War on Terrorism - the untold story" by Latheef Farook would be more useful.
In this scenario, it is clear that President Rajapakse is doing what the late Yasser Arafat did, i.e. to fight the terrorists in order to save the country and its people. President Rajapakse is not only a close friend of the late Yasser Arafat but he is also a student of Middle East affairs for the last 30 odd years. He does not need lessons to fight terrorism.
Yasser Arafat was considered a freedom fighter and a peace lover and he demonstrated his intentions at the UN General Assembly by stating that he has in one hand the gun of a freedom fighter and in the other an olive branch. This stance was hailed by the peace-loving world. He was a Nobel Peace Prize winner and stood for peace throughout his life. If an internationally accepted world figure of the calibre of Yasser Arafat could be a guest at home, it is a great honour one would cherish for a life time even though the ‘Observer’ thinks otherwise. Yasser Arafat was fully aware of the closeness of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s non-communal and internationalist stance.
As far as the situation in Sri Lanka is concerned, it is up to LTTE to get back to the negotiation table. The President has been repeatedly telling the LTTE that his doors are open. All communities, specially the Tamils, who are undergoing severe hardships due to LTTE atrocities want peace. Extortions, forcible conscription, death threats, force the Tamils to live among Sinhalese and abroad, but still they are being harassed by LTTE. Unfortunately, Prabhakaran cannot give up terrorism because he had ended up as a prisoner of a number of Mafia groups and sinister forces. The main force is the Mafia headed by LTTE kingpins engaged in smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition and also human cargo. In this group are the extortionists who prey on the Tamil diaspora using the criminal image of LTTE. They want terrorism to continue. Another force is the foreign oil giants who are dreaming of monopolising the oil resources in Mannar, under Eelam. The third force is the church-backed groups which want to see a separate state under Prabhakaran, who is not a Hindu. Finally, there is the World Zionist Movement that is paying the LTTE for the atrocities committed against the Muslims. More Muslims they kill, the more money they get from the Zionists.
In conclusion, it has to be stated that no one is foolish enough accept that CFA exists anymore. It was a Sword of Damocles hanging over Sri Lanka by certain foreign powers. Even though theCFA is a dead letter that created boundaries of Eelam while giving time to the LTTE to stockpile arms and ammunition, Sri Lanka is finding it difficult to extricate itself from the trap. Therefore, let the world community tell the LTTE to accept the open invitation of President Rajapakse.
(Source: The Island- 09/04/2006)
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