Works of Ramalingam Shanmugalingam [a] Appu Archie of USA
[Passed away on : 07-11-2004]

• Book : 'ciRpi cetukkAta cintany' - Unsculptured Thought [An Appreciation by Poet Dr. T Koventhan]

• "PONGAL" - What it means to me!

• Pongal Kavithai - In Tamil [pdf format]

• KAVITHAI : Maaveerar Towards Tamil Eelam

• Should Tamils support or oppose it? Entitlement

• Terrorism! Is it a political football?

• Nuts and Bolts from a Dummy for Sri Lankan Conflict Resolution

• The LTTE is a Freedom Fighter and not a Terrorist Organization

• "Cart before the Horse” with a Carrot to the Cart and Stick to the Horse!

• Straddling over the “corpse of liberty” in verity and fancy is a quandary!

• Retracking the de-railing peace negotiations in Sri Lanka

• Open Letter to: U.S. Ambassador Embassy of the United States of America, Colombo

• Open Letter to Col. Karuna

• Negotiated settlement, the chances for a Tamil country are practically zero

• English rendition of “Pity the Tamils” authored by D. Arul Ezhila

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- 'ciRpi cetukkAta cintany' - Unsculptured Thought [14-10-2004

'peRRa tAjum piRanta ponnAdum
NaRRava vAninum Nani ciRaNtanavE'- (Bharathy)

'jAzhan's' Interpretation:

Biological mother and the golden birth place Excel in stature over the multi-blessed sky.

Here, mother plays a dual role. One is the biological mother and the other is the mother-tongue. Language grows within the culture of the parent mother. It is axiomatic that the ethnicity and its land (country) get its fame and name from the language of the people of that land. Absence of love for one's mother-tongue and race disqualifies one from being a human.

'NAddup paRRum Navil inap paRRum vyjappaRRy Udduvana' are famous 'pAvEntar' Bharathythasan statement. What it means to 'jAzhan' is: Love for one's land- patriotism, and expressive love for one's roots develop global love. The reason for such development is, true patriotism transcends personal relationships and benefits! and is closely intertwined through love with other humans.

We love the motherland we were born in; it is the air we breathe. Although there are several countries, it is only the motherland we cherish like the mother we all cherish. It is a well known fact that one who does not identify with his motherland does not belong to the human race. But, it is disappointing to note that most Indian Tamils have failed in this respect. On the contrary, 'Izhamite' - (people who belong to the rightly aspired land of 'tamizh Izham'in Sri Lanka) stand heads held high with his/her awareness and acquired feelings to be brave Tamils with dignity and honor. The very strong prowess has elevated him/her to great heights of human strength.

The freedom struggle of the 'Izham' Tamil will be recorded in history as a measure of his sacrificial gift of his body, worldly possessions and life to wrench the motherland from captivity. The value of 'Izhamite' humanism is measured by the firmness o! f their patriotism. It is evident that despite the indifference of the Indian Tamils then, the brave Tamil diaspora with dignity and honor turned out to be determined, with dedication to the task of freeing the motherland by helping the freedom warriors in the struggle. One such Tamil I have come to know is 'jAzhan' R. Shanmugalingam, a person of erudition in science - an agricultural expert, International Coordinator of World Wide Tamil's Coalition.

As I went through his several multifaceted articles and poems all together, I was reminded of the immortal 'perijAr' E. V. R.. Despite the fact he moved out of his motherland and lives as a Tamil American, his goal and life direction is to help win the struggle for freedom. I feel very proud to note his uncontrolled determination and excellent expression through words and his desire for deed to make everything in his motherland, take the best form.

'pOrAdip pOrAdik kAnhum putuvAzhkky cIrOdu vAzhum cezhittu.' In other wor! ds, a life realized through struggles will live elegantly and prosper. But are freedom of land and language the only goal? No, those language reformers in Tamil Nadu who are content with their complicated reforms in the shining computer field, get a rude awakening, when they see the simple Tamil software by 'jAzhan'. But those thinkers who lament and work tirelessly to get Federal Government recognition for Tamil as a Classical Language, are prepared to sacrifice Tamil by taking 'jAzhan's' contribution to the computer world out of the limelight. Does the Sun disappear in the dark?

'jAzhan' is a mine of ideas to better the soil condition and improve agriculture through extensive research for the benefit of mankind. He is endowed with such knowledge and is well equipped to improve the dry lands of Tamil Nadu into productive entities. Will the green revolutionaries accept him for even a year to study and recommend ways to make these barren lands blossom? No, they will not, wh! y? They fear that their inadequacy and inabilities will be exposed. Is there any Party Leader who will invite him and join him in a coalition to improve the agricultural resources of this land? No, none will, they fear that their domestic wealth will be adversely affected. Leaders of the land! Do they lead the people? No, they lead in corruption! What do they care?

'jAzhan' R. Shanmugalingam has the interest of the public at heart. He introduces new ideas that flow as if from a mountain spring. His verses also are full of new ideas. He has blended prose in harmony like that of the English Pope. By doing so he has unmasked the false faces of those who indulge in metaphor, symbol and such to reach the high pedestal of "New Poetry".

'Izham' is the catch word everywhere
And, much much excitement is in there!
SANGAM Tamil to parental guidance
This is a Tamil compendium with fragrance
Is it the force of sea-wave swell?
Or the poetic strength the Tiger cub Tell?

Let Shanmugalinga-word-commentary take world Tamils to lofty heights.

- Poet Dr. T. Koventhan     -       [UP]
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- Retracking the de-railing peace negotiations in Sri Lanka [01-05-2003]

“Economy for peace or peace for economy,” irrespective of its implied intention of the Sri Lankan government, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe took pains to strike a conciliatory note in his letter of 29th April 2003 to Dr. Balasingham. This in itself illustrates LTTE position as equal, if not superior to the Sri Lankan military might! This is perhaps the first time a Sinhala government has shelved its provocative threats for peace proposals and extended a conciliatory call to put the peace negotiations back on track when the LTTE applied the emergency brakes that almost derails the peace negotiations.

In the News feature vide http://news.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=8880  the LTTE’s military strength is summarized as follows: “Contrary to the general perception that a military stalemate obtains in the Sri Lankan conflict, the fact remains that the LTTE neutralised the overall and intrinsic offensive capability of the Sri Lankan armed forces when it routed Agni Khiela and when Colombo’s airpower was negated deep in the rear.

Therefore, the strategic parity which currently sustains the island’s peace process is largely predicated on the LTTE’s will to peace and not, as many would have it, on the balance of armed forces and their capabilities.” This is the time the LTTE will have to show its political wisdom that is in no way any the less to the LTTE military wisdom. It is established beyond any doubt, reasonable or despite the typical unreasonable ‘terrorists’ connotation concocted, LTTE, the true freedom fighters have acquired mature military wisdom. I am sure the Tamil leaders are fully aware of the Tamil dictum in the THIRUKKURAL dicta.

‘perukkattu vEnhdum panhital; ciRija
curukkattu vEnhdum ujarvu.’ - KURAL 963

Its English equivalent could be:

Humility in prosperity;
Dignity in adversity.

The LTTE has also lived up to the following dictum so far and therefore, even for continuing the vital peace negotiations, any chance to jump back on track without substantial visible progress in implementing the agreements in the MoU, is very remote.

‘majir NIrppin vAzhAk kavarimA annAr
ujir NIppar mAnam varin.’ -KURAL 969

This also could be:

The antelope* dies at the loss of its hair
So does the sensitive at the loss of honor

· Many have likened the ‘kavarimAn’ to the yak that belongs to the bovine family. Since this animal is extinct perhaps because the species since the days of Valluvar has succumbed to the dishonor in losing its wool to the shear, languages much later to Tamil have no equivalent for ‘kavarimAn.’

It is unthinkable to expect the LTTE to jump on track for the mere 5-point explanations given by Prime Minister Ranil vide http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tisexclusive/message/6 
Prime Minister Ranil’s point “1. Exclusion of the LTTE from the Preparatory Seminar in Washington” favors the “Peace for economy” strategy more than “Economy for peace.”

The Premier weighted the importance of the gathering of Donors in his, “There were two other significant reasons for going ahead with the Washington seminar in April. The first was the fact that such a seminar would enable the gathering of major Donors who would be present in Washington as participants in the important Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF. The other reason was that it was important to obtain commitment of the Donors to this process before their attention was absorbed by the needs of Iraq as a consequence of the situation following that conflict.”

And slighted the importance and little slated the LTTE for the non-participation in the “Preparatory Seminar in Washington” with his, “The LTTE’s inability to attend the seminar was due to the fact that the organisation still remains a banned organisation under United States Law. I regret the LTTE could not participate and you will appreciate that the Government cannot be blamed for this situation.” Needless to say, “If there is a will, there is a way” for the government, a luxury the LTTE does not have in this context.

It is not my intention to advise the masters, to paraphrase a cliche, “Teach grandmother to suck eggs.” So far the LTTE the real McCoy has not let me and the Tamil diaspora down, although due to place constraints, I cannot support the LTTE until the “Sword of Damocles” - terrorist adjective disqualifying the LTTE in the US is removed.

**END**      -       [UP]
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- Straddling over the “corpse of liberty” in verity and fancy is a quandary!

Pervading perspectives determine the verity or fancy of life’s events. In days past when the world was only as far as the eye could see and the leg could take, knowledge was passed down in parables and passages from saints and savants by word of mouth. Then, “What was, “ sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” or vice versa too were true. Oh no! Not today! What with Telescopes, Satellites, Shuttles, Internet, ‘Smart Bombs’, Media - the metaphoric Devil talk shows such as “Scarecrow Country,” “Oh! Really Factor,” “Insanity and Combs,” in Onomatopoeia, NOT UTOPIA, etc. etc., the gander has to like what the goose chooses. Otherwise the silly goose will jump at the gander for being against the silly goose. However, if there is a sensible goose the gander is safe and secure in happiness. Then, how many sensible geese are there with all the advantages of modern technology?

In another part of the world, famous for luxury motorcar drive on a bullock cart economy, a former Leftist turned ‘Wrongist’ -RIGHT is WRONG here - was noted to have prided in referring to the Sri Lankan economy and the governments’ extravagance. The bund of good governance is long since replaced by bunkers and attempts to build back the bund through negotiations are hampered by underground ‘(R)otters’ and over-ground plotters in and out of government.

The painful pull out from negotiations by the more serious partner in negotiations and not in crime the LTTE, is perceived differently by differing people. People out of deference to verity are fair, even if truth is unpopular; where as people in defiance of truth for compliance with sponsors tend to be very critical or worse lie about the pullout.

The article “Controversy over Balasingham’s letter” in Tamil Guardian posted in <http://www.tamilcanadian.com/cgi-bin/php/pageview.php?ID=1776&SID=52> validates the quandary. “While two senior journalists from the south voice the predicament of the Tamils, a well-known columnist (or is it alarmist?) from the north chooses to denounce the leadership of the Tamils for his personal vendetta, writes S. Chandran.”

The article concludes thus: “The objective and balanced appraisal by the editor of The Sunday Leader in endorsing Mr. Balasingham’s critique, belittles Mr. Jeyarajah’s arguments and exposes his insincerity and treachery. While two senior journalists of the ‘Sunday Leader’ from the south voice the predicament of the Tamils, a well-known Tamil journalist from the north chooses to denounce the leadership of the Tamils for his own personal vendetta and in so doing seriously undermines the interests of the Eelam Tamils. The Tamil people of the northeast and the diaspora know pretty well in whose interests Mr Jeyarajah is expending his writing abilities.”

<http://www.truthout.org/docs_03/050203A.shtml> is another website giving another cause for quandary. The verity or fancy in the following observations lie in the brain or the mind of the beholder:

“A writer named Kelly Kramer recently compiled a ‘resume’ for George W. Bush. In it, she listed his central accomplishments. Among them are:

· Shattered record for biggest annual deficit in history;
· Set economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12 month period;
· Set all-time record for biggest drop in the history of the stock market;
· First year in office set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in US history;
· After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, presided over the worst security failure in US history;
· In his first two years in office over 2 million Americans lost their jobs;
· Cut unemployment benefits for more out of work Americans than any president in US history;
· Appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history;
· Signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any president in US history;
· Presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed;
· Cut healthcare benefits for war veterans;
· Set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously take to the streets to protest a sitting American President, shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind;
· Dissolved more international treaties than any president in US history;
· First president in US history to have all 50 states of the Union simultaneously go bankrupt;
· Presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud of any market in any country in the history of the world;
· First president in US history to order a US attack and military occupation of a sovereign nation;
· Created the largest government department bureaucracy in the history of the United States;
· Set the all-time record for biggest annual budget spending increases, more than any president in US history;
· First president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the human rights commission;
· First president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the elections monitoring board;
· All-time US (and world) record holder for most corporate campaign donations;
· Biggest life-time campaign contributor presided over one of the largest corporate bankruptcy frauds in world history (Kenneth Lay, former CEO of Enron Corporation);
· Spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history;
· First president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied saying the enemy had the code to Air Force 1);
· Took the biggest world sympathy for the US after 911, and in less than a year made the US the most resented country in the world (possibly the biggest diplomatic failure in US and world history);
· With a policy of 'disengagement' created the most hostile Israeli-Palestine relations in at least 30 years;
· Fist US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view his presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability;
· First US president in history to have the people of South Korea more threatened by the US than their immediate neighbor, North Korea;
· Changed US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts;
· Set all-time record for number of administration appointees who violated US law by not selling huge investments in corporations bidding for government contracts;
· Failed to fulfill his pledge to get Osama Bin Laden 'dead or alive';
· Failed to capture the anthrax killer who tried to murder the leaders of our country at the United States Capitol building. After 18 months he has no leads and zero suspects;
· In the 18 months following the 911 attacks he successfully prevented any public investigation into the biggest security failure in the history of the United States; · Removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history;
· Entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category straight down.

If you can believe it, this is an edited list. So it goes. What does any of this have to do with baseball? This is serious stuff, as serious as anything this nation has faced in its history. With all of this happening, and with no apparent way to reverse or blunt this course, wouldn’t it just be easier to give up? Where do I get off making trite sports analogies in such a situation?

I do it because it is instructive when considering the next step. The issue here is a simple matter of volume, and of hope. The list above is abridged, and grows exponentially longer by the hour. People of good conscience cannot surrender the struggle against this rising tide with all that is at stake.”

I like to conclude this harangue with a Postscript I have paraphrased from “Madman who contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary by Nan”

I cannot but draw attention to the fact that we are in the international news with a bang! The WSWS article written by a southerner K. Ratnayake of 1 May 2003 titled “LTTE protests over exclusion from US aid conference.” “The LTTE’s protest was designed to quell concerns among its own members and supporters. In the six rounds of talks that began last September, the LTTE has made major concessions, including the abandonment of its demand for a separate state of Tamil Eelam in the north and east of the island. In return, it has received very little. At the same time, it has confronted increasingly provocative actions by the armed forces, backed Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga and her opposition Peoples Alliance (PA).”

His article gives a clear picture of the crass duplicity and inner workings of disingenuous governments. So Mr. Balasingham has put us in the news. Thanks to him! Tamils wish to be in the news, if at all, as never before - friendly warm smiles of welcome, serendipitous island, golden peaceful beaches, true Tamil freedom.

**END**      -       [UP]
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- Open Letter to: U.S. Ambassador Embassy of the United States of America, Colombo [24-04-2003]

Dear Mr. Ambassador

Peace Process of Sri Lanka International Support.

I was born a Tamil and therefore my thought process is Tamil first and American second as a naturalized American. I was happy about my decision to move to the US mainly to escape persecution, even threat to my life for my public and private utterances against successive Sri Lankan governments. I enjoyed freedom for the first time since moving to the US in 1980. The US was very sympathetic to the Tamils as long as Tamils remained passive and meek. I also felt secured and enjoyed the prosperity this great nation is capable of. However recent events leave much to be desired but I am consoled by the fact that the American zeal for international camaraderie has taken only a short respite.

I am also consoled by the fact there are Millions of Americans on the sideline kept away by the media who, as we all are, are fortunate to have the internet to air our views and to free "free speech" from "embedded journalism." It was the Nobel laureate for Literature who said, "When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail." An Internet posting "Speaking freely in a time of war" by Prof Barry Mauer encourages me. This article poses the question will support to the president gets absolution to all omissions and commissions? Of course "free speech" as Prof Mauer has unequivocally asserted, "So who is entitled to free speech? Is it only the province of those in power? No. Free speech is acquired by those who struggle for it."

Pearl S. Buck also said "None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free." I chose the US over other countries where political asylum was less arduous to get than the US. But the opportunities to continue exposing the atrocities of the Sri Lankan government abound without any bind here in the US. I have since arriving in this country expressed my views on freedom and exposed the atrocities perpetrated against Tamils in Sri Lanka to the best of my knowledge gained from many sources. The Japanese "Dialogue Webpage for Conflicts Worldwide" www.dwcw.org <http://www.dwcw.org> informed me, "we have been checking and it appears that you have been our most prolific contributor since DWCW was inaugurated in April 2000."

That is the passion I have for Tamil. I have also suffered the pangs of political serfdom to understand the sacrifices my kith and kin make for Tamil lives worth living as equals in their domicile.

Having said that, Mr. Ambassador, your Reuters interview published in <http://peaceinsrilanka.com> posted in Tamil Info Service [TIS] today reflects your "always been free" outlook. It is not necessary to dissect every comment you made to Reuters. However, I like to point out the ones that as representative of the current US Administration, you have goofed.

For beginners, you emphasized, "the way out of Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict is through negotiations." It is easy for you to say than for our government to practice the same in other international conflicts. LTTE leadership was the first to establish and seek negotiations by unilaterally declaring a ceasefire despite the fact previous negotiations went down the drain, as Sri Lankan governments are comfortable with "Broken Promises." It has become part of their culture.

Second you underrate the Tamil capacity to understand expectations whether economic or Sinhala governments' capacity for betrayal. Article on "EPS fall: reassessing LTTE's manoeuvre warfare prowess (TamilNet, April 23, 2003 21.26 GMT) vide <http://news.tamilnet.com/art.html> tells of the superior Tamil military prowess also in the following excerpt: "Three years ago, on April 22nd, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hoisted their flag in the heart of what was once one of the most fortified military garrisons in South Asia. The fall of Elephant Pass, described as "impregnable" by a US army officer who visited the garrison months earlier, established the Tigers as the only non-state military force in the world today capable of complex manoeuvre war fighting."

Tamils are not expecting instantaneous economic development, but they know it is impractical. What Tamils want is to create conditions conducive to economic development? It is not economic miracle Tamils want. Tamils want a miracle to change the Sinhala Government mindset about Tamil aspirations for life in Sri Lanka with equality in citizenship with dignity and honor. If the Sinhala government is either unwilling or incapable of delivering these basic human requirements, then Mr. Ambassador your hope "Tamils, Singhalese, indeed all Sri Lankans must understand that economic development takes time and unfolds most quickly in conditions of lasting peace" is another myth without the full participation of the LTTE in any discussion. It is a pity our government does not want to understand this simple necessary precursor to lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Ambassador, your painting of Mr. Balasingham's letter for his claim that "mismanagement of previous Colombo governments that impoverished the south of Sri Lanka, and that the devastation of the north and east is all Colombo' s fault. That's ludicrous." Your painting is more than ludicrous; it is bigotry. Because, "if blame is being distributed fairly, the LTTE deserves a great deal as well." Tamils have been giving their "other cheek" to the Sinhalas since independence. Sinhala civilian thuggery sponsored by successive governments stopped only after Tamil youth took to arms. Mr. Ambassador, you should know better from our own history as to how American independence was won. Yet you continue to call Tamil aspiration for freedom by defending Tamils from Sinhala army occupation and pranks of an idling army, as ludicrous!

Well Mr. Ambassador, you are quick on the rhetoric draw to demand "The LTTE' s leadership likes to portray itself as brave (Do I sense a little jealousy here!)... well, a truly courageous thing would be for that leadership to give up violence and even the threat of violence and push for a permanent peace now." Is it the same leadership courage shown by us towards Iraq? I have in an earlier open letter to you requested you to spell out the way the LTTE should give up violence and I repeat the same question to you, show the poor idiots, who are sacrificing their only life in the war against oppression how to deal with a government that has absolutely no compassion for fellow human beings, a serious deviation from one of the important tenets of Buddhism, how to give up the military means of self protection let alone self preservation? Violence stopped with ceasefire and Tamils do not need teachers who believe in do as we say and not as we do to tell them to stop violence.

I wonder if you wear an ambassadorial top hat! You want Tamils to give up their superior position to negotiate for equality in citizenship for keeping the Sinhala majority in power in a united Sri Lanka. Tamils would have settled this inequality long ago if not for the commercial and strategic interest mostly of the US in the affairs of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Ambassador, you say, "The Tiger's goal should be to make peace and quickly." I say Tiger's goal is to regain their lost dignity and honor. It may be that the Sinhala government wants peace or talk about peace to milk the US for a few Dollars more. If the Sinhala government wants peace, they should accept the LTTE as freedom fighters and demilitarize Tamil areas quickly so that normal life can come back to Tamil areas. Keep calling the Tamil Freedom Fighters terrorists, then perhaps your "quickly" has a hidden agenda. If it is military pounding Tamils should expect from big Uncle Sam, it would not surprise me. I have only one alternative left. Go back to Sri Lanka and perish in the 'smart bomb' avalanche that will be dropped from 40,000 feet by the B 52s expertly maneuvered by brave computers. To paraphrase Pearl S. Buck, "Power (hunger) makes a tyrant (thief) of any man!"

Sincerely
Ramalingam Shanmugalingam
San Diego California, USA

**END**      -       [UP]
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- The LTTE is a Freedom Fighter and not a Terrorist Organization [27-05-2004]

The State and the non-State components of a country think their issues are more important than any other at any given moment of discord. Sri Lanka is no exception. The Sinhala government and the Tamil non-government state begging to be created differ on basic issues on human rights. The Tamil struggle is internal and is concerned with the bread-and-butter issues that truly matter to every Tamil. Whereas the Sinhala government is today made up of the two rival major parties and has its own components that differ on economic, social and foreign policy issues including the Tamil issue. Tamils have accepted the invitation from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe to the negotiating table and have entered into an agreement. The President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumarathunga, on the other hand, differs widely from the United National Front led by Ranil Wickremasinghe, even on the Tamil issue.

The foot-dragging in coming to an equitable solution to the Sinhala Tamil conflict, despite the complexities, is to a certain extent limited by political correctness. Tamil agitation for a separate state was the result of a democratic process emanating from the Vaddukkoddai Resolution of 1976 and mandated by Tamils in the 1977 general election. The so-called moderates were instrumental in passing the Vaddukkoddai Resolution under S.J.V.Chelvanayagam, affectionately called the, `Eelam Gandhi` for his non-violent approach for secession from Sri Lanka and form of the Tamil State of Tamil Eelam. Non-violent struggle did not work in the Buddhist-controlled Sri Lanka.

Non-violent agitation brought more oppression and the Sinhala military into Tamil areas. Tamil freedom, although, has been eroding since independence from the British in 1948 and the army occupation since 1983 has corroded Tamil entity. Tamils did not and do not have `Anti-bullet passive vests.` Hence a practical strategy had to be installed to defend Tamil, the Tamils and the Tamil lands from alien occupation and to save Tamils from the pranks of an idling military.

In the meantime, the government continued to legislate draconian laws that further corroded Tamil confidence and hope for equality in citizenship under a unitary system of government. The camaraderie that existed between Tamil and Sinhala elites virtually evaporated when the Sinhala commoners dominated Sri Lankan politics directed by the Buddhist clergy.

Passivity against a religiously controlled people`s government, it appeared that it were to the opportunist politicians` advantage to be indifferent to the people`s needs. The Tamil youth was left in the lurch by the so-called moderate Tamil politicians and the government. The political party in power climbed to the seat of government on the promise of resolving the Tamil Sinhala conflict and lost the need for courageous steps to treat Tamils as equals in citizenship. Any move by the party in power is opposed by the opposition and any attempt at resolution gets foot-dragged until the next election.

Despite the fact that both major political parties are sharing the seat of
government, the driver`s seat is occupied by the progeny of the Tamil nemesis, who missed several opportunities to help resolve the conflict. It is a matter of record, the `paper dove` turned out to be a living hawk and Tamils suffered the worst during her reign, resigned to Sinhala political expediency.

Tamil moderate leadership showed more signs of `brinkmanship` and continued to allow Tamil ship towards the brink of the abyss - the abyss that successive Sinhala governments have discovered in the Sinhala Buddhist myth that Sri Lanka is for the Sinhala Buddhists and all others have a place only at the pleasure of the Sinhala Buddhists.

Even 2000 or more years of Tamil suppression has not made all Tamils eunuchs. Several Tamil youth started sporadic spontaneous attacks on government and financial institutions in Tamil areas. Naturally, most of them sought refuge in Tamil Nadu India to escape persecution. Some of them came under the influence of a Sri Lankan Tamil who, after winning a language case against the government, was falsely implicated in some criminal activity and therefore had to live in hiding in Tamil Nadu. With his patronage and support from leading Tamils of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil guerrilla movement jumped into the fray. Some weak leaders were eliminated and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) reigned supreme among `Tamil militants` and came to be accepted as Tamil saviors by the full-blooded Tamil community; revering their sacrifices for Tamil freedom from the obnoxious Sinhala Buddhist government domination. They are the 24-carot Tamil Freedom Fighters (Even gold can turn out to be deadly).

Despite the fact the English language has more than a million words in its vocabulary, I am told, not all human ideas or thoughts could be concisely put into the English language, or there are no English equivalents to all the words in other languages that have much less words in their respective vocabularies. Even in the English language there is no single synonym for freedom war or struggle, etc. This is the dilemma that causes unnecessary arguments and has ultimately led to the LTTE being branded as a terrorist organization.

No one talks about the American war against the British for independence and justified the war for `no taxation without representation` as terrorism. Those who fought and supported the war were not described as terrorists, they became the `Founding Fathers.` They were also rebels. Any government has the need to suppress rebellion for its survival. Similarly Tamils rebel against a government that does not serve Tamils the same way they serve the Sinhalas. What is wrong in fighting for one`s right to live in equality of citizenship in one`s own land? If such a guarantee is not there, what is wrong in seceding from such a forced relationship as the one Tamils have to endure?

World powers with superior military might should suppress or eradicate international terrorism. At the same time, true freedom struggles should be given space to sort out their problem with the parties to the conflict. To include true freedom fighters of the Tamils, namely the LTTE, with other international terrorists is a gross injustice and tantamount to unacceptable disinformation. It is worse when foreign governments support the Sri Lankan governments to continue in their Tamil annihilation process under the pretext of stabilizing peace in the world by eliminating even true and necessary freedom struggles. There is no evidence of the LTTE being involved in violence outside their domain.

`Our friendship is a treasure. It must be protected. In this dangerous world, we must continue to work side by side against the scourge of terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and for the promotion of peace and our common values. Terrorism is the most important threat that we have to face today, as the deadly and cowardly attacks in Saudi Arabia have once again proven. We should not let bitterness between two staunch allies distract us from the fight against terrorism. France is determined to continue to work with the United States in a spirit of good will on all these issues.` (Excerpted from a Letter from Jean-David Levitte, Ambassador of France to the US to the, Congressmen, Administration Officials and Media representatives.)

A wonderful sentiment and is an important message. However, The French Ambassador has, in one breath, also condemned TRUE FREEDOM STRUGGLES such as the war in Sri Lanka, because the LTTE is in a war thrust on the Tamils and is using violence to drive home to the Sinhala government that Tamils want as the New Hampshire auto-plate slogan carries: `Live Free or Die.` Governments can use disproportionate force against civilians but freedom fighters cannot use whatever force is available as non-state military might is not as extensive and modern as that of governments. Is there any compassion in comparing the LTTE to international terrorists? Does it not sound hypocritical?

In piecing my thoughts together, I hope to stir the conscience of the good people of this wonderful world to stop the journey towards Armageddon that has begun with useless polemics by people in power, by twisting situations to suit their design and desire.

**END**       -       [UP]
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- "Cart before the Horse” with a Carrot to the Cart and Stick to the Horse! [09-05-2003]

“Rehabilitate Northeast before ‘Regaining’ Sri Lanka - NGOs.” Was an item in [TamilNet, May 07, 2003]. The article contends among other things, “The General Secretary of the Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union (CTTU), Mr.T.Mahasivam, said that the report on ‘Regaining Sri Lanka’ had been published only in two languages and not in the Tamil language. "This clearly indicates the Sri Lankan government's intention of marginalizing Tamils in the development of the country," he said.”

To many it may look a very insignificant error on the part of the government. But it is not! This government or any previous government did not have Tamil interest uppermost even after Tamils have shown their unswerving determination to ‘regain’ Tamil dignity and honor in an armed struggle. The days of ‘Satyagraha’ and passive resistance, Tamil leaders were kicked about by the state and Tamil masses by Sinhala Buddhist thugs and thugs in uniform and yellow-robes are gone. Menace of the uniformed Sinhala Buddhists with a chauvinist Commander - in - Chief still lingers around Tamil lands. Yet, Tamils have been elevated to human level by the freedom fighters but it is that Tamils responsibility to see the peace process leads to real peace and not mesmerized by the carrot and stick device of the Sri Lankan government and/or intimidated by the big sticks of the big powers.

Today the table is turned and the Tamil freedom fighters have gained an edge over the well-equipped, foreign trained and high-tech armed Sinhala Buddhist military with access to the most sophisticated military intelligence gathering wherewithal supplied by Uncle Sam. The Sinhala government part of PM Ranil has put the cart before the horse and offered the carrot to the cart in the name of a ceasefire. The other part, the typical Sinhala Buddhist chauvinist part under President Chandrika wields the stick of the Sinhala military and is threatening to let loose the Sinhala village boys in uniform donned for their livelihood, among civilians in Tamil areas expecting the Tamils to surrender!

So long as the Sri Lankan army is perched in Tamil areas, Tamils regaining their dignity and honor has literally only a fighting chance and
metaphorically do not have a prayer. What then will it take to convince the nosey parkers to either keep out of Sri Lanka’s business or make peace a reality in Sri Lanka? ‘Regaining’ Sri Lanka is a catch phrase for “peace for economy” and “Rehabilitate” Northeast is an imperative for “economy for peace.”

“Sources said that a report prepared with the assistance of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and United Nations, titled ‘Assessment of needs in the conflict affected areas of the northeast’ states, "The infrastructure of the northeast is greatly debilitated due to the armed conflict and needs significant rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. These needs stem from three problems, namely, damage due to the conflict, deterioration of service due to lack of maintenance, and stagnation in development and improvements compared to the rest of the island.” (Ibid) Only removing Sinhala forces from Tamil lands can prevent “Damage due to the conflict”. If the Sri Lankan government good guys trust Tamil leadership and wants Tamil cooperation, then the government will have to take Tamils into their confidence, irrespective of the history of betrayal attributed to either or both parties to the conflict. Cycle of blame throwing can only help flame throwing at each other and the cycle of violence will rear its ugly head to the detriment of all citizens. Tamils have, for peace, abdicated their right to the Tamil throne. Will the Sinhalas abnegate their military presence in Tamil areas for peace they seek most?

It could be a costly miscalculation to expect super-power intervention militarily to bring down the Tamils to their knees, as some Sinhala chauvinists wish for. Meaningful discussions and disclosures are bartered for rhetoric to continue Sinhala Buddhist domination over the Tamils rather than making the peace negotiating process work The President is Sri Lanka’s Political enemy No I. The following statement will show her desire for Sinhala Buddhist political power that will divide in turmoil and not shared political power with the Tamils for a united Sri Lanka in peace.

“Chandrika says will win war soon [TamilNet, May 08, 2000 20:40 GMT] "The government has decided to win the war as soon as possible" said the Sri Lankan President today in an address to the nation. She claimed that the draconian regulations promulgated by her government last week under the Public Security Ordinance was only a temporary measure and would be put into effect only in extreme situations.”

Is it believable, given her past record and her unclear statement in May 2000 quoted below, that is as well said today, she wants a solution to the problem for lasting peace?

“She said that all political parties should engage in united action as a pre-condition for solving the problem. "My husband and I supported the Indo-Lanka Accord in 1987" Ms.Kumaratunga pointed out. She claimed that she was looking into the welfare of soldiers killed in action and those who are permanently wounded and help them and their families to buy and find housing.” (How about the raped, maimed, orphaned Tamils you engineered madam President?)

Whether Tamils like it or not the US is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, almost God itself. But then God is only one white man for many, many reincarnations for some, and some are indifferent to a God but no one sits askance expecting to deliver the goods. All have to work and strive for results. But God America changes color every 4 years and sometimes every 8 years depending on the machinations of such Rove(ing) commissions and the loud mouth media minstrels.

“When the Media Fails” by Mark Weisbrot vide <http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0507-08.htm> gives hope for better things could come out of the God image US if the public acts wisely and with the interest of humanity at heart:

“The broadcast media is most important, because that is the main source of information for the "swing voters" and Americans whose views are not determined by party affiliation. This media will have to be reformed.

Journalists must begin to treat government lying as any other form of malfeasance such as bribery or stealing: it is something to be exposed to the public as news, not glossed over and reinforced with endless repetition.”

Misinformation and disinformation are the weapons of destruction of the masses and profitably used by most government executives and corporate executives. Until the masses learn to identify such pandemic, injustice will reign supreme. Where there is injustice there shall be no peace!

**END**        -       [UP]
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- Nuts and Bolts from a Dummy for Sri Lankan Conflict Resolution [06-06-2003]

The High, medium, low level Academia and local/international Consulting Consortia have not forgotten their duty to put to use their expertise to writing on the Sri Lankan would be wedding between the Sinhalas and the Tamils. This dummy called it a wedding without the bridegroom in an earlier piece. Dr. Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake in her essay “Donor conference: Who will benefit from the funds?” called it a “coming out party of sorts - a series of debutant balls for the Liberation Tigers (LTTE), and a celebration of a growing relationship with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). The pledging conference in Tokyo if it happened without the LTTE would however be the ball without the debutant.” It is or could be axiomatic the longer the essay with a bend towards the powers that be, the tip traverses a circular path and depending on the length will eat up the tail. Dummies and the issues are lost in the intussusceptions. However, no essay could travel in a simple straight line as at some stage some essays have to take a zigzag route trying to portray opposing stands in issues.

Without hark back on past omissions and commissions of both parties to the conflict, the need of the hour is for rehabilitation with restoration of the devastated infrastructure and hope for security of the Tamils to begin normal life first and plan for development as situation gets tolerable. Dr. Darini put it, “Rituals, even secular ones like pledging conferences and needs assessments however have non-economic costs. While attention is focused on Multilateral Agencies' needs and donor time frames, very little has been done locally, on the ground for those affected by war. Thus, though the beleaguered Norwegian facilitators play a crucial and remarkably professional role at the track 1 level, many people in the conflict affected regions of the island have expressed the sense that they are not reaping the benefits of the year of peace, that post/conflict reconstruction is slow despite the promises of international aid, and core issues pertaining to human security and the return of displaced people are not being addressed. Meanwhile, the LTTE blames the GoSL for the various delays and the inefficiency of the Sub-committee on Humanitarian Needs and the World Bank's North East Reconstruction Fund (NERF). Thus the international post/conflict industry run by the Multilateral agencies feeds into Sri Lanka's current 'no war no peace impasse', albeit at drastically reduced levels of violence.”

It is left to the Sri Lankan government to select its approach to provide the infrastructure it damaged in Tamil habitat. Once a blue print is accepted by the LTTE for replacing the lost infrastructure within a given time frame and vouched for its completion by the facilitator/s, the LTTE should concentrate in planning for resettlement in Tamil areas keeping in mind, it is the responsibility of the LTTE to ensure Tamil security in Tamil areas. Once these nuts and bolts issues are ironed out, and how they will do it is best left to the LTTE ingenuity, statesmanship keeping in mind life is irreplaceable but not at the cost of Tamil dignity, honor and safety, Tamil tryst with destiny could be determined.

Dr. Darini considers the LTTE concern for basic Tamil needs as “hard line interests within the LTTE” as one of the 3 juggernauts. If concern for basic needs appear to be monstrous, and “blunt extremist demands,” there is little hope for peace in paradise parched. In the same vein, Dr. Darini addresses the current impasse, thus “While this approach paid high dividends in the short term (the first year of the process), it has led to the medium term impasse. It is increasingly clear that the current laissez faire, neo-liberal post/conflict reconstruction approach cannot have any significant or sustainable impact without some of the core political and social issues (e.g. fiscal and administrative devolution), being addressed alongside the immediate humanitarian issues that pertain to the return of the displaced and reconstruction of their livelihoods, including de-mining.”

“Fiscal and administrative devolution” are acceptable for purposes of expedited rehabilitation and reconstruction. Long term effects paint a different picture with devolution of power under a unitary system of government the Sinhalas are capable of steamrolling their will on the Tamils with their ever increasing gap in population numbers. But first things first and Dr. Darini has not lost sight of it.

Prime Minister Ranil, it appears is on the verge of losing his shirt “(P)uncturing his patience after a 15-month long peace process, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday openly urged the rebels to be "more understanding," a day after the Sri Lankan government's fresh proposals were delivered to the LTTE which is demanding a Tiger-controlled interim administrative structure. (Daily Mirror – May 30, 2003). We dummies are not surprised at the Prim Ministers‘s demand for “more understanding.” Tamils were sitting quietly until the LTTE started its standing stance and the PM does not mind Tamils standing so long as we stand under the Sinhala dictates!

Hopefully better counsel will prevail and GoSL and LTTE will design a formula to keep the vultures vying for the chunk away and use the donor gift to ameliorate the lot of the suffering people of Northeast Sri Lanka. Tamils once assured of human and property security in Tamil habitats will leave no stone unturned to improve their lot and define their own destiny.

**END**       -       [UP]
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-  Terrorism! Is it a political football?

The following excerpt from www.commondreams.org gives Tamil hopes a boost provided Tamil diaspora, particularly in the US act wisely. The most powerful military might is defining paradigms for the rest of the world. Sri Lanka, albeit its diminutive land mass is also led by intellectual midgets and political cut throats, a quality inherent in some of the most powerful (militarily) 'giants' of the world. The honest desire of Uncle Sam to share her good fortune, the product of immigrants, with the rest of the world is temporarily shelved to the advantage of the few crafty lying corporate shenanigans. There is no dearth for disciples of this wealth worship among the Tamil diaspora. In effect, they cannot do any good to others but are experts at damaging the good that is the right and not the privilege of the rest.

The question of "Interim Administration" in the North and East of Sri Lanka was destined to doom even before the Tokyo "Hoi 'O." If an administrative stroke of the pen is unwilling to give temporary control of the disbursement of DONOR FUNDS to the rightful recipients, under international authority and direct supervision, how does one even think of expecting "power sharing" after the intense interest of the international community bureaucrats is diverted to more rewarding conflicts?

So long as true freedom war continues to be added to the list on terrorism, peace in Sri Lanka will continue to escape the net set by the high priests of power. No one in his or her self-less mind will condone international terrorism. But the righteous will have to bide for the right priests to direct the messages for a freedom war to be treated with respect and not with scorn and kick peace like a football into the bush.

"In the long run, if leaders want to gain and maintain trust, it's helpful for their logic to be reasonably plausible rather than Orwellian. But when there is no single standard that reliably condemns "terrorism," then the word serves as a political football rather than a term to be used with integrity. Unfortunately, in common usage of the word, it is not the wanton cruelty or the magnitude of murderous actions that determines condemnation, but rather the nationalistic and political contexts of those actions.

It would be bad enough if the leaders of the Washington-London axis of "anti-terrorism" were merely duplicitous in their rationales for going to war. Or it would be bad enough if those leaders were honest about their reasons while ordering their own activities that terrorize civilians. But flagrant dishonesty is integral to broader and deeper problems with basic policies that tacitly distinguish between "worthy" and "unworthy" victims - that encourage us, in effect, to ask for whom the bell tolls. The official guidance needn't be explicit to be well understood or at least widely internalized: Do not let too much empathy move in unauthorized directions."

**END**        -       [UP]
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- Should Tamils support or oppose it? Entitlements vs Self Reliance - [Rejoinder to Wakely Paul's]

I have a problem with the term Tamils. The visible identifiable mark of a Tamil I understand is the ability to speak at least conversational Tamil language. All other characteristics are corollaries acquired or assigned. Now, who am I? I am a Tamil American of Sri Lankan origin with my tertiary roots still attached to me in spirit. I value my roots and am deeply involved to educate Tamil diaspora and the world community on the Tamil dilemma and Sinhala anathema of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Self-respecting Tamil existence with dignity and honor is still on a limb in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that as the author Wakeley Paul rightly attributed the “Racial Preference” to have touched Tamil shame like the ‘ulnar nerve’ sending a tickling sensation, Tamil sense of pride drove Tamil youth to the ultimate in conflict resolution resorted to by many, war. Tamil existence in Sri Lanka is under heavy stress and until Tamils get the chance to rule themselves, the inevitable military strategy thrust on Tamils will continue to be devalued by the nosey parker section of the international community to cover up their indifference to justice and indulgence in injustice.

The nitty-gritty of affirmative action and racial preference are best left to the legal minds of which the author Wakely Paul is one. However, apart from the legal ramifications, these necessary evils or unnecessary advantages open up the many flood gates of social disquiet. Higher Education has to be evaluated on the merit of its usefulness to the individual first. No one denies the fact that a disciplined higher education engenders better knowledge among individuals. However its value depends on how best this learned knowledge is used by the individual to the advancement of society.

As basic knowledge expands from the kindergarten to the university and post doctoral programs, the general outlook of the average masses change in tune with the type of leadership the university returned leaders adopt. This is true mostly in an education for knowledge. Knowledge alone does not put food on the Table. If it is true, then it is enough to turn the universities into graduates turning out factories. Education is not mere graduate producing process.

Higher learning can be in many ways. The country’s needs should match with the resources, mainly in capital. Capital will determine the placement of educated academics, professionals and technicians in jobs and services in keeping with their training and requirement. Economic bad times unlike good times put a premium on the skill of management. Naturally, it is not enough to have a PhD to be a successful manager in times of economic challenges. Nor great inventors like Benjamin Franklin were PhDs.

American prosperity is rolling along. So long as section of the world is struggling for its survival with the minimum growth in its economy, American economic super power status will continue. Technologies also reach their plateau of development. New technologies have to be invented for sustenance of the standard of living let alone better standard of living. The younger generation has a bigger stake in this than their parents.

I have already given my Tamil identity and therefore, I speak as a Tamil American. I have no problem with the author Wakely Paul if I was an American Tamil and belong only to his 1% “we”, for his “We are regarded in this country as belonging to the top 1%, not the favored 10%. We must hold our heads up high and act as the equals of the best that we are, rather than cowering our heads and trudging the path of a downgraded and disgruntled minority. We are not and should never regard ourselves as such.”

But I differentiate a Tamil American from an American Tamil. It is the same as an Irish American, Italian American, but when I say American Indian and Indian American, I see the difference as the former is a Native American and the latter is from India. Despite the fact most Irish and Italian and others have stopped using their mother tongue even in their homes, most of them continue to call themselves by their origin. There is pride in their origin. This is not so among Tamils. In fact the “Cooley Tamil” syndrome still prevails even if none of them was even distantly associated with the indentured or ‘Kangany’ Cooley status. That was an economy driven situation, made worse by the famine of 1876-8 where more than 4 million people from the Madras Presidency lost their lives. This should not scare people into disowning their roots.

Despite the inhuman treatment of the coolies described by Engels in Marx’s “Poverty of Philosophy” in the book “A History of the Up-Country Tamil People of Sri Lanka by S. Nadesan, “The Indian immigrant workers on the coffee plantations were driven like slaves and compelled to toil from dawn to dusk. Their wages could hardly buy the barest necessities of life, and they lived in such hovels, says Engels, ‘as were livable only for a “physically degenerate race robbed of all humanity, degraded, reduced morally and physically to bestiality.” Loyalty of the Tamil worker was never in doubt.

It was feared that, due to the disturbances, the immigrant workers would panic and flee the plantations. On the contrary, as stated by L. S. D. Dunuwille, the Superintendent of Police, Kandy, “During the times of the rebellion of (1848) I understood, the coolies on the estates behaved with greater courage and protected their masters’ property.” (Ibid)

In my opinion there is relative racial deprivation and alienation in this country. If one does not see it, I have to say they are in denial. Of course, some in their station in life do not move with the average Caucasian who lives well only because he is Caucasian compared to an alien person like me. So long as skin complexion is to elevate or devalue one’s station this problem will continue.

Fortunately, Tamils have a wonderful tool that will command respect rather than to fight for recognition as proud humans. The Tamil language and its enviable literature that is opening up new vistas, that will need space to elaborate.

Perspectives are the prerogatives of individuals and what is prevalent today will become irrelevant tomorrow. It is therefore necessary to build our own strength by adding upon new achievements to our glorious past and then stand tall as a group in solidarity. Then the effect of any discrimination could be minimized and help overcome any form of lienation anywhere as Tamils.

[UP]

-: 07-11-2004