'India can help evacuate Sri Lankan forces'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY 24. The evacuation of trapped Sri Lankan Army personnel could be considered by India, on obtaining the consent of all sides involved in the conflict, the MDMK general secretary, Mr. Vaiko, said today.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Vaiko endorsed the Centre's stand on the Sri Lankan crisis and expressed hope that ``appropriate decisions'' would be taken at the ``appropriate time'' by the Union Government.

While continuing to oppose Indian military intervention in favour of the Sri Lankan Army, the MDMK leader made a distinction on evacuation saying the LTTE itself had offered a ceasefire to allow the Sri Lankan Army to withdraw.

However, Indian help in evacuation should depend on the conditions of ceasefire.

On MDMK's differences with the Centre over the extension of the ban on the LTTE, he said his party went by the majority decision and accepted the ban. On whether he supported the LTTE in its war against the Sri Lankan Government, Mr. Vaiko said, ``the rebels are fighting for a just cause.''

Continuing to insist that a ``Tamil Eelam'' alone would provide a solution to the conflict, he said if the Sri Lankans were not able to protect the unity of their country, ``it should be their botheration (and not India's).''

He defended his support for the cause of Sri Lankan Tamils and said while he was being accused of treason, those calling for help to Sri Lanka, to perpetrate genocide on Tamils, were being described as patriots.

Asked about the LTTE indulging in terrorism, he said, one should not be blind to the State-sponsored terrorism in Sri Lanka. On several occasions, the Sri Lankan Government had reneged on agreements made to solve the issue. He refused to answer persistent questions on the LTTE attacks on Muslims in the Jaffna peninsula saying he would not allow himself to be cross- examined as if he were in a court.

Mr. Vaiko criticised the Sri Lankan President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, for stating that South Indians were being recruited by the LTTE and refugees living in South India were acting as LTTE cadres. The statement was ``baseless, vicious, and malicious.''

Challenging Ms. Kumaratunga to prove the allegation that he had made a speech in Geneva in which he said that the LTTE should continue its campaign to kill her, he said he had ``audio and video'' evidence to back prove his stand. Sri Lanka must provide similar evidence and not merely offer to produce ``witnesses.''

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Section  : National
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