Date:23/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/23/stories/2006082304400400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

India should not help Sri Lanka: Vaiko

Special Correspondent

Protest in New Delhi on August 30

CHENNAI: "Tamil Eelam is the only solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic issue and no force on earth can prevent it," said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko here on Monday. Addressing a meeting organised by the South Chennai unit of the party, Mr. Vaiko said India should not extend military help or any other type of assistance to Sri Lanka.

Hurt feelings of Tamils

During a recent meeting, he had told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that any assistance to Sri Lanka would hurt the feelings of Tamils. He had subtly warned the Prime Minister that any such help might lead to a "Kashmir-like situation" in Tamil Nadu.

Criticising the Centre for advocating a solution to the issue within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, Mr. Vaiko said India could not say that the ethnic conflict was an internal matter of the island nation. In this context, he pointed out that India was instrumental for the division of Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh.

Criticises Karunanidhi

Mr. Vaiko criticised Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for reading only a portion of his letter before he left for a "clandestine visit" to Sri Lanka. In that letter, he had also stated that he would not create any difficulty for the DMK through his visit.

Protests

The MDMK would hold a demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi on August 30 and a rally in Chennai on September 1 to condemn Sri Lankan Government's "atrocities" against Tamils, he added.