Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Cleverspeak

The editorial "What Balasingham should understand" (June 29) has rightly pointed out that Anton Balasingham has chosen his words carefully, so that they can be interpreted in any manner. As expected, the LTTE now maintains that it did not own up to, and hence apologise for, Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.

The regret, in any case, sounds hollow and ridiculous. The suggestion that India and Indians forget the assassination does not even merit attention.

S. Sudhir Kumar,
Hyderabad

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It is a wonder that the LTTE has suddenly thought of India after all these years. The motive is clear: with the European Union and the U.S. withdrawing patronage, the Tigers need another `mediator' to pull along the peace process so that `ceasefires' can be used to consolidate weaponry.

The UPA Government would do well to remember that it is not wise to deal with a terrorist organisation.

Amaruvi Devanathan,
Chennai

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Ideas are shaped by circumstances, said Karl Marx. The changed stance of the LTTE seems to reinforce the view. With the whole world becoming hostile towards them, the Tigers have begun to `meow' instead of roar.

They regret the monumental tragedy called Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and even pledge that under no circumstances will they go against the interests of India. Their fear should not be mistaken for any softening.

Abhinav Shivam,
Lucknow

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It is in India's interest not to pay heed to the LTTE's regret. Pro-LTTE parties should be prevented from making any attempts to enlist support for the Tigers in any forum.

The LTTE's claim that it has pledged not to do anything to harm the interests of India is difficult to believe, given the recent suicide bombings in Sri Lanka.

S. Jagadish,
Bangalore

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The LTTE has expressed regret out of necessity. It is a strategic move to enlist the support of the political parties of Tamil Nadu, which are sympathetic to the Tigers.

The Government must help the Sri Lankan Tamils in a humanitarian way but it should have nothing to do with an organisation that has eliminated and terrorised everyone who has come in its way. It has shown no mercy in dealing with others.

Khadirullah Khan,
Chennai

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The `clarification' of LTTE spokesperson Daya Master is typical of the Tigers — sending confusing signals. Why should Mr. Balasingham ask India to be magnanimous and put the past behind it if the LTTE is not responsible for the heinous act?

India should bear in mind that dealing with the LTTE means dealing with a megalomaniac leader. The world has failed many a time in the past to recognise such leaders and paid heavily.

Y. Parameswaran Menon,
Thrissur, Kerala

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By terming Rajiv Gandhi's assassination a monumental tragedy, the LTTE has accepted that it was behind it. Notwithstanding the LTTE's jugglery with words, New Delhi should continue to maintain its tough stand.

Venkat Srinivas,
Bangalore

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The LTTE ideologue has shed crocodile tears for Rajiv Gandhi, whose assassination was the result of a well-planned conspiracy by an outfit of which he is still a leading strategist. On behalf of his outfit, Mr. Balasingham has requested India to involve itself in the island's conflict. The people of India can neither forgive nor forget the national tragedy.

G. Chandrasekaran,
Udumalpet, T.N.

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Giving publicity to the LTTE's pronouncements through television channels is injurious to the nation. The kind of vague admission Mr. Balasingham made is nothing new. Reports of the investigation team that dealt with the case and the Supreme Court's confirmation of the lower court's findings are proof enough of the LTTE's involvement in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.

S. Pushpavanam,
Tiruchi, T.N.

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The LTTE has gained the reputation of being a leading terrorist organisation that has perfected suicide bombing as a method of warfare. The discrimination suffered by Sri Lankan Tamils is unfortunate but the resolution of the ethnic strife needs to be based on their democratic aspirations. I am sure a majority of Sri Lankan Tamils prefer a peaceful solution to barbaric suicide bombings and assassinations.

Vembar K. Ranganathan,
Irvington, New York

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No organisation that systematically uses assassinations and child soldiers to fight for its `cause' deserves sympathy.

S. Srinivas,
Visakhapatnam, A.P.

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