Dispatching Terror 20 Fathoms Down

A group consisting thieves, smugglers, bank robbers and common
criminals organizes itself into a rag tag terrorist group with a few
hand guns. In time with support of politicians and other interest
groups they become a group practicing political terrorism and end up
with a flotilla of old ships and small air craft resembles farm
tractors. This is the evolution of the LTTE in a nutshell.

Leaving aside the LTTEs 'air power', in resent times there has been a
lot of chanting and praising about the deep sea fleet of LTTE gun
running, drug smuggling ships. LTTE not only used to talk about its
strategic sea lift 'ability' but also the fact that the LTTE own more
ships than the Sri Lankan Government. They were considered one of the
crown jewels of the Overseas Tamils who overtly supported the LTTEs
murderous cause to carve out a LTTE Eelam in Sri Lanka.

These ships represented the LTTEs ability to move weapons and other
warlike material to sustain its campaign of terror without hindrance,
and in tern exert pressure on any elected Government in Sri Lanka or
overseas. utilizing the sojourns within different bogus 'peace talks'
and cease fires ,and by spreading misinformation about Sri Lanka all
over the globe , the LTTE amassed a massive global network of support
and acceptance, portraying them as a indestructible force and a major
power player to recon with.

Then there was the former leader of this country who at times not only
accepted this as a fact but also gave justification and legitimacy to
such claims and continued to follow a policy of non engagement with
the LTTE, recognizing a somewhat 'de facto' status of the LTTE
'controlled ' areas. In a twist of fate this quasi Eelam states all
powerful ground elements lost all its ground and strength, stating
with the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut .

Military operations to save the Eastern Province from the LTTE had
dealt a major defeat to the LTTE and, effectively sounded the death
knell of the LTTE as a force to recon with. The over estimate state of
the LTTEs land fighting power seems to diminish on a daily basis, with
the continuing operating of the Sri Lankan Security Forces.

However, the LTTEs 'sea power' was a totally different in context. It
was foreseen as a major player in both shallow and deep water
operations and boasted as more powerful than the Sri Lankan Navy by
some 'think tanks' and 'independent' experts. Successive Sri Lankan
Governments, including Chandrika and Ranil administrations at many
times had to resist stiffly to the SLMMs moves to recognize LTTE 'Sea
Tigers' as a legitimate force.

all that came to a sad end on Monday the 8th October 2007, with the
sinking of the last of the 10 sea lift ships of the LTTE. Not only the
ship went to the bottom of the sea, 1700km south of Sri Lanka but with
it took a considerable consignment of arms and war like material. But
more than the material it took with itself down to the bottom of the
sea , it also took the prestige and the false dream of LTTE Sea Power
to the deep bottom of the Indian Ocean.

the dreams and aspiration of the LTTE, its Tamil Diaspora sponsors and
International guardians (including Local Supporters from so called
'Civil Society') of having the LTTE dominate the waters surrounding
the Island of Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean that surrounds it and the
Sea Lanes that cross this Island went down the toilet when the Sri
Lanka Navy Spokesmen Commander D.K Dassanayake announced the
distraction of the last of LTTE ships on Monday.

by not having the anchorage rights at neighboring port around Sri
Lanka, its well known that LTTE ships acted as a network of floating
warehouses ,storing and ferrying arms and material for the LTTE and
disembarking as when required . This was thought the history of the
LTTEs 'sea power' and that was the very history that was put to an end
two days ago, 1700km south of Dondra head. Sri Lanka Navy should have
the full credit for ending this legacy and all the officers and
sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy must be commended for its actions.

Having said that, one must not expect that LTTE will not put and end
to its sea lift capability nor should the Navy not let off the guard,
expecting no more LTTE ships entering Sri Lankan waters. There are
many expatriate Tamils and other parties who benefit form the
prolonged conflict in Sri Lanka to the effect that LTTE will be able
to replace or may be may have already replaced couple of lost ships by
now. trained and experience crew, who not only are used to the waters
and arms smuggling may come hard to find for the LTTE and also crews
able to operate covertly in neutral ports and understand the Sri Lanka
Navy tactics will be a major hurdle the LTTE has to overcome in order
to restore the sea lift capability, knowing well the fact that all 10
shies the LTTE lost, had no single survivor.

After LTTE lost each and every engagement with the Sri Lankan Security
forces, in Land, Sea and Air the LTTE will call for a time out, just
so that it can get some critical rest and recuperation for its
fighters and sharpen its arsenal by replenishing its armory. they will
want to use this time out to chart out the prolonging this savage war
for another few years as it had happened in every 'Peace Talk' time
during the past couple of decades. unfortunate day for LTTE is that
this time that most wanted R&R is not possible due to a leader with
back bone within the seat of Government in Sri Lanka.MR has over and
over made his intentions clear , and his intentions for peace dose not
include granting a weekend and war weary LTTE re coupe rating/ re
arming period.

Added to this, there is the Sri Lankan Security Forces, who are with a
firm and strong resolve to give LTTE a permanent rest.

Question remains, despite these victories, why some quarters within
the Sri Lankan society want to play doom such victories.

State of the key rocketing cost of living and the continuation of war
against LTTE should not be mixed together and be considered as a
single issue. Any such linking of cost of living with war should be
considered a treacherous act , and should be seen as an act to destroy
the current march towards destruction of the LTTE and an attempt to
resuscitate the LTTE.

Annihilation of the LTTEs ocean going fleet is not a victory of the
Sri Lanka Navy nor a victory of MR, but a Victory of all peace loving
Sri Lankans, be it a Sinhalese , a Tamil , a Muslim or any other
community in Sri Lanka.

Gotabhaya and the grim reality of peace talks with LTTE

in midst of war, the best news can be the news of a victory but for some unexplained reason we seemed to be waiting for news of a 'peace', and this is quite common with not only our public but also with politicians and soldiers. However, LTTE, denied of any news of victory in war currently seems to be waiting for any news of 'peace', anxiously waiting for a chance to involve in 'peace'.  

this in not because they the LTTE understand the peoples urge for peace but its more due to the fact that by portraying their inclination towards peace they can avoid facing decimation in the face of war and a total destruction of its terrorist livelihoods.   Although in reality the LTTE was never genuine about a lasting peace, they embarked on a path of fake peace for few reasons. One is that, with the inclination towards a fake peace they could easily deceive the international community .secondly the LTTE utilized the fake peace to deploy ,train and place its informants, suicide bombers and 'tax' collectors within the government controlled areas.  

During this time LTTE knows its sympathizes in South would bring in Democracy, Human Rights and other Rights and Liberties to hide the LTTEs intentions of war and protect the war preparedness and violent act of LTTE against its enemies and crate path for LTTE to wage war by proxy.  

During this time ,such sympathizers in the South will bring in Berthold Brecht to Pablo Neruda, great artists who utilized their pens against fascism to great revolutionaries like Ernesto Cheguara and great fighters against Apartheid and racial discrimination like Nelson Mandela as plates of bytes in a drinking table and use moonshine distilled in Norway to raise glasses for a future Eelam.  

As this happens there will be a continued flow of sermons on pleasures of peaceful life in North and East, with calls to enjoy the joy of saving money earmarked for war, and use of such savings on economic development.  

Mr.Prabakaran ( as Prabakaran, the leader of the LTTE will be called during that time) , who will put up his combat fatigues for laundry at this time, will donne  white safari suites and will appear every night in Sirasa ,Shakthi and MTV TV, talking with no lip movement about LTTEs commitment to 'Peace' and dialogue.  

Stop..... Stop.....pause.....  

Above was some of the scene and acts from the LTTEs 'Peace' drama. A drama we experienced and watched with disbelief many times over the last couple of decades.   What ever the brand of 'Peace' the LTTE promotes, there is a notion that we need to follow it as it is within the ruling class of the main political parties in Sri Lanka today. This is more fueled by the myth that floated around stating that the LTTE cannot be defeated militarily and there is no alternative to LTTEs power of terror.  

However, starting with Maavil Aru to Silawathura the military victories against the LTTE terror has proven that this notion of LTTEs invincibility is nothing much but a myth cultivated to nourish a culture of defeatism. It's irrelevant as much as a used paper napkin today.   Therefore, when Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha claimed that no political solution, however effective and realistic to end the ethnic conflict can be successful without defeating the LTTE militarily, it makes sense.  

only way we can achieve peace is not by few military victories but by defeating the LTTE hundred percent ,states the Defence Secretary , and further adds that the Sri Lankan security forces have managed to chase LTTE out of East and Jaffna and managed to corner LTTE to Vanni. 

 I think a terrorist group of the brink of collapse might call for a fake 'peace', with no intention for a genuine peace for many reasons. However, there has to be an immediate solution to the ethnic crisis but as Gotabhaya puts it "A total defeat of the LTTE is necessary before a political solution to the ethnic crisis can be implemented".  

Bravo Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, for not being scared to speck the truth.

Nedumaran and voyage to 'save' Jaffna Tamils

Pro LTTE Tamil Nadu politician P.Nedumaran announced his intention to cross the Palk strait with 'hundreds of boats' full of his supporters and 'supplies' to the Tamil people of Jaffna as protest against the Indian governments support towards the government of Sri Lanka.Nedumaran the leader of the Tamil National Movement it Tamil Nadu has been a longstanding supporter and promoter of the LTTE ,its leader V Prabakaran and LTTE murderous campaign of terror in Sri Lanka and in India.

 

Nedumaran is known to be one of the few people who never condoned the murder of Rajiv Ghandhi , former PM of India ,by the LTTE and had travelled many time illegally to Jaffna and Vanni in Sri Lanka with the help of the LTTE to further its cause in waging terror.

 

since of yesterday the Indian Cost Guard has informed the Sri Lankan Navy that they will prevent any illegal crossing and nothing much is expected from Nedumaran as accoriding to the news reports from Tamil Nadu , support to Nedumarans move has gathered  little or no support from the populace of Tamil Nadu.

 

however, there is a very interesting twist to this 'crossing' .

 

yesterday the Sri Lanka Navy destroyed and sunk three major ocean going vessels of the LTTE  ,believed to be carrying a large consignment of arms, ammunition, light air crafts and speed boats ,off the south east coast of Sri Lanka.

 

can this 'crossing'  be a diversion to the more extraordinary move by the LTTE to resupply itself with arms ?

 

its about time the Government , and its security apparatus should make more seriously look into  the real reasons behind this 'crossing' and the timings as one could expect the bulk of the small Sri Lankan Navy to be positioned in Manner Sea , with the intention of intercepting and blocking the planned 'crossing' of Nedumaran while the three LTTE gunrunning ships slide un checked and dislodge its dangerous cargo.

 

Prabakarans 9/11

while the rest of the world commemorated (some celebrated) the infamous attack on the World Trade Centre in New York and rest of the sites in Washington D.C on September 11th, 6 years ago, Prabakaran felt the jitters of a major attack on LTTE as he learned the news of the capture of Kumaran Padman alias ' KP', the elusive LTTE financier and logistician in Bangkok and the loss of three arms smuggling LTTE ships off the coast of Sri Lanka.

the all 'powerful' ( as the so called Civil Society of Sri Lanka call's him)  LTTE supremo , Prabakan has been riding the downwards slide lately, the loss of all LTTE controlled territory , the arms and equipment in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka was the sounding of the death knell to Prabakaran, starting with closure of the Anicut in Maavil Aru , the 'powerful' LTTE started to feel strength and the resolve of the Sri Lankan Military and the Government . 

there seems to be a major breakdown in the 'powerful' military machine of the LTTE, and by looking at the series of events lately , one can determine that Prabakarans unending world of terror is falling part. 

I guess the beginning of the end, started with the Sri Lankan Security Forces move towards the East.

President Premadasa had the ability to start this beginning, but he some how he didn't, and in the end he met his death in the hands of the LTTE. Then came President Chandrika, who never wanted to embark on that beginning, ultimately, she also had to leave, but without losing a eye to a almost fatal suicide attack of the LTTE. Prime Minister Ranil never wanted the beginning, all he believed was peace with the LTTE and he never had an interest in touching the Prabakarans world of terror, so Prabakaran made sure that Ranil didn't become President. 

However, under the intense pressure from the so called International Community, and under a barrage of murderous and heinous campaign of disinformation by the bogus Civil Society, MR started this beginning.

Cost of living started to sky rocket and people started to get uncomfortable.

Yet, Prabakarans world of terror too started to crumble. Two significant event of yesterday were a significant and major milestone in the end of Prabakarans rain of terror. a turning point in struggle to free people of Sri Lanka from the clutches of LTTE terror.

One of the main aspects of the complexity of Kumaran Padman is the number of passports he used to travel  and the latest figure states as 200. Prabakaran used the best man for the required task, and that a trade mark of Prabakaran. For Prabakaran the task was always been the use of terror and nothing else, therefore he made sure he eliminated others who were not up to the task.

KP coordinated the arms smuggling network of the LTTE, and his capture in Bangkok, Thailand is not only a victory of the Sri Lankan government but also a victory in the International War on Terror. 

LTTE lost its 2/3 of its power when the government took control of the East. Any person who travels within the East including Vakare and Verugal will witness this. all the LTTE cams that were there a year ago are in the hands of the Sri Lanka Army today, all LTTE check points are now Sri Lanka Army check points and all the arms and equipment (including the vehicles and other equipment ie- generators, tents, boats etc that the LTTE 'captured' from INGOs) are in the hands of the Sri Lanka Security Forces today. They have become property of the Government of Sri Lanka and this includes a highly equipped hospital close to the Swarnam Base of the LTTE, in Verugal, again built/equipped by INGOs.

In this moment of time, when Prabakaran is facing a speedy decline in his rain of terror, there is other among us who abhors this. Fall of Prabakaran should be celebrated as a 'National Victory' without any party alligances.KP counting the bars behind the door that locks him in a Thai jail and the LTTE ships that kissed the sea floor are a testimonial to the start of such a National Victory.

Return of the Tinker of Colombo

after many weeks , lost in the wilderness i have returned to the Blogspear!

many things have happened in my absence ,not that i had any hand in it, but just that many times i wanted to voice my pinch of salt on issues of concern,

but then.. access to the Internet ,a decent connection and a PC were few of the questions i had to face.

resolved they are,

back on the business I'm.

 

Ethiopia accuses Norway of undermining security

28 Aug 2007 11:36:50 GMT

Source: Reuters

Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Ethiopia accused Norway on Wednesday of undermining its national security and spreading instability in the Horn of Africa, a day after the Addis Ababa government asked Oslo to recall six diplomats.

"Norway has consistently and repeatedly (been) involved in acquiring leverage with the focus of causing instability in the Horn of Africa region," said Wahide Belay, spokesman for Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry.

"This, in turn, has seriously aggravated problems of stability in the Horn of Africa region and also threatened to undermine Ethiopia's national security. ... It has now become clear that there has been no change of policy in this regard."

Late on Monday, Norway's foreign minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, said in a statement that his government regretted the "unilateral decision" taken by the authorities in Addis Ababa.

"We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in Addis Ababa (by Sept. 15)," Stoere said.

Stoere did not say whether Ethiopia provided any background on the reasons for the expulsions.

Stoere said the "sharp reduction in staffing" meant Norway might not be able to maintain development cooperation with Ethiopia at current levels, he said. Oil-rich Norway is one of the world's biggest aid donors in per capita terms.

Wahide said Ethiopia's government remained ready to talk.

"Our efforts have been and still are to engage Norway's government in serious dialogue over the matter," Wahide said. (Additional reporting by Wojciech Moskwa in Oslo)

 

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28378886.htm

Tamil Tiger Inc. exposed by Jane’s Intelligence Review

Jane's Intelligence Review, in its August 2007 edition will publish a major expose on the Global financial network of the LTTE, according to a press release issued by the JIR.

 

This will be some what the most updated and informed report on LTTE's international funding and procurement network, published on the public fora in resent times and surely will be welcomed by almost all who are interested in LTTE and its rain of terror.

 

This report will be a chronicle of LTTE's culture of fear and deceit as lions share of its funding are gained through 'taxes' from overseas Tamil Diaspora and the people living in areas under the LTTE in Northern Sri Lanka.   

 

Reuters commenting on the Jane's report added that the report paints a picture of a powerful global network of professional managers -- both Tamils and others -- across a string of countries with operations perhaps from shipping to drugs and extortion.

 

Furthermore, Christian LeMiere, managing editor of Jane's Country Risk, commented to Reuters "Some of the money will go on arms, some of it on administrating areas controlled by the LTTE," and It further states that "with financial and procurement structures well organized and strategically positioned around the globe, the group has a profit margin that would be the envy of any multinational corporation – some USD200 to 300 million per year"

 

Some of the interesting aspects of the envisaged report as highlighted by the JIR press release are the LTTE's channeling of Tsunami aid money, LTTE use of fronts and cover organisations involved in charity and social work, transfer of arms, narcotics ,contraband and people smuggling. Press Release further indicates the reports details of how the LTTE convert the gains into arms, utilizing a charitable façade's tax-free status and legitimacy.

 

This report will be very much welcomed in terms of understanding the depth of the LTTE's reach and its nature as a global financial terrorist group. I guess the LTTE will face more increased pressure once the report will be public, so are the governments who's territory are being used by LTTE for its illegal activity.

 

Of the main hubs of LTTE activity the report has highlighted Cambodia and Southern India, being its principal staging posts, while it lists some other countries in Southeast Asia and rest of the world as sources of arms for the LTTE.

 

How much the Sri Lankan government will do to curb such activity in terms of raising this issue with host governments remains a question.

 

Below is the full text of the Press Release issued by the Jane's:

 

USD200 million profit margins maintain sophisticated Tamil Tiger war

 

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has created one of the most sophisticated insurgencies in the world, largely due to a complex global network of financial resources and weapons that are integral to prolonging its campaign for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka.

 

In a unique report on the financial operations of the LTTE, Jane's Intelligence Review reports that with financial and procurement structures well organised and strategically positioned around the globe, the group has a profit margin that would be the envy of any multinational corporation – some USD200 to 300 million per year.

 

The Tamil Tigers is consequently the only known insurgent organisation with its own army, navy and now even a rudimentary air force, with access to financial resources and weapons giving it the luxury of introducing bold, new dimensions to the conflict.

 

The report details two overarching financial and procurement bodies that provide the main source of LTTE money, manpower and weapons; the Aiyanna Group and the Office of Overseas Purchases (nicknamed the KP Department).

 

The Aiyanna Group functions as the group's intelligence and operations body, likely to be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the organisation's financial support and revenue streams, while the KP Department is most probably the LTTE's procurement arm.

 

In addition, the LTTE creates and staffs some charitable organisations, projecting its influence through this front to raise money from Tamil communities and, ultimately, convert the gains into arms.

 

The Jane's Intelligence Review report says that the system works as an efficient way to move funds wherever investment or procurement opportunities arise while utilising a charitable façade's tax-free status and legitimacy.

 

Geographically, the LTTE use a myriad of methods to maintain this formidable, non-state support structure. The southern province of Tamil Nadu in India plays a pivotal role in LTTE procurement and has become an essential transit point in the LTTE arms, narcotics, contraband and possibly human smuggling.

 

Beyond Sri Lanka's neighbour, Cambodia is one of the most significant single sources of weapons for the insurgent group. The remainder of internationally procured weapons are believed to originate from the rest of Southeast Asia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Ukraine.

 

The report adds that the procurement of anti-aircraft technology, given the destruction wrought by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces' aerial assets, will be the primary driver of the LTTE's continued international fundraising campaign. (ENDS)