Response to 'Re-Emergence of the Tamil Nadu Factor

by Ram Mohan, June 13, 2008

I do not understand why discussion is not permitted under the article "the Reemergence of the Tamilnadu Factor". However this article also comes under the same envelope as that article and hence thought of adding some comments here

In general. while the internal conditions (the ground situation in Eelam) determine the nature of the struggle, the external conditions (i.e.the international community by which I mean primarily the people and public opinion followed up by the powers-that-be -- multipoplar and other smaller ones) facilitate the struggle. It is like a mango tree coming from a mango seed but which is not possible without the environment of sunlight, water , fertilizer, carbon di oxide etc.

So, we need to worry about the international public opinion, which will certainly influence the powers that be, but the powers are likely to advance solutions that are in their own interest.

It is in this context that Dr. Mylvaganam is advising Delhi to act to accomodate the 'reemerging Tamilnadu factor' The 'Rajiv factor' is now ineffective in that it is well known that the LTTE was not the cause -- otherwise, why was Priyanka asking Nalini "Who killed Rajiv?". The CFA was introduced by the powers-that-be to save the GOSL at a time when the LTTE was on the rise. The ceasefire period was used to divide the liberation movement and arm the GOSL. When the GOSL thought it was strong, IT UNILATERALLY THREW AWAY THE CFA, as it did all the pacts from the BC Pact to the demerger of the North EAst Province.

Now, again, the internal and external factors are becoming favourable to liberation. Not only Tamilnadu is reemerging, but favourable international public opinion is developing. Three Nobel peace prize winners and various NGOs, along with the Tamil diaspora, influenced sufficient countries to vote the GOSL out of the UN Human Rights Council, in spite of the multipolar powers).

So, now Dr Mylvaganam is talking of "genuine devolution of power". WE CANNOT ALLOW FOR ANOTHER BREAKING OF AN AGREEMENT. Any arrangement short of separation is possible if the fallback position is agreed upon from the beginning as the UN-guaranteed right of self determination for the Tamil Nation.

We can insist on this only if we work towards increasing favourable conditions internally and externally. The Eelam Tamils will develop the internal factors. The diaspora and the TNA should develop the external factors, particularly when the TNA can do so very little inside the parliament. The TNA also should work with an open mind rather than prejudging support. I have seen about the TNA meeting the Indian Embassy and the Western Embassies, as well as Japan Embassy staff, and noone else. The world is much bigger than these countries and we should take the campaign everywhere. It is unfortunate that our parliamentary leaders have the same international constituency always. I am reminded of a comment by Satchi Sri Kantha in the Sangam columns sometime ago. Nobody knows how the countries actually voted in the Human Rights Forum (101 voted for the GOSL), but judging from the speeches, India expressed "unconditional love" for the GOSL and implied that the GOSL has no room available to improve, whereas China recommended that the armed conflict be brought to an end followed by economic development and improvement of human rights. Yet the TNA may be happy to go to Delhi and return without an "audience," but has no time to visit the Chinese embassy in Colombo (at least I did not see that in the news).

Let us be open minded and if someone takes one step towards us, we should take many steps towards them. Actually, we should start the effort with everyone. Ironically, that is what GOSL is doing. We are the oppressed and we have the right to go to anyone and everyone.