The Politics Of Peace
By Chandi Sinnathurai
30 May, 2009
Countercurrents.org
The Corporate World Media was silent and pretended that the concerns and the fears of the Tamils were just perceived not real. They failed to report or even give it a slight mention when the war against the civilians was raging. Why? The international community including the Corporate Media was in favour of annihilating the Tamil resistance. For them, rightly or wrongly, depending on your view point, this war was in line with the "War on terror" in the South-Asian region. They of course, knew there will be civilian carnage. But they took refuge in the UN-authorised news that the Tigers are keeping Tamils as human shields. They secretly bit their tongue until Tamil Tiger leadership, as they put it was "decapitated". Those who had friends in high places knew that the cry for war crimes will be hollow and political stunt. It's only a matter of time, for "Tiger surrender", an editor from the West based in Colombo hinted.
No one, not even the Corporate media, at that time of desperation, ever suggested that some one with some world credibility, need to be talking openly with the Tigers, in order to assess the civilian situation. While civilians were dying in their thousands, the world was busy splitting hairs: Is this an internal conflict or has it got an international dimension? It was a cop-out and complete tripe.
Asking the Tiger civilian leaders like Nadesan, Castro and others to walk with White flags into a deliberate trap was a horrendous error of judgement. Even the UN did not wish to negotiate with Colombo and guarantee their safe passage. On the Tiger side, no one will know, as to why they waited until the last moment...
Now that the Tiger leadership is uprooted the world media is voicing concern for Tamil civilians trapped in the state-run internment camps.
There are those who are crying for unity among Tamils. Again, its a panic "Wolf! Wolf!" cry for nothing. Most Tamils, including the diaspora are still in a state of shock, disbelief, and grief. These emotions are keeping them intact for the time being. Grief, as it often does, can lead to anger. None should try to underestimate the passions that run deep. On the surface the waters may seem still.
Is there any other credible Tamil leadership? Has the political equilibrium shifted to the diaspora? These are good questions but no good speculating answers. That does not mean, there will be some, who will be working behind scenes, to capture the moment, in order to create an "Opportunistic leadership" under the so-called Tiger flagship.
It is the Tamil people who should be able to discern the genuine leadership. Papers have reported that the Tigers have renounced armed struggle. However, the struggle for Tamil rights will continue through democratic channels. The Sri Lanka Government has responded by saying that there are enough Tamil political parties to represent the Tamils. That is a blunt refusal for the Tigers to enter the democratic stream.
The Sinhala state however, cannot dictate how Tamils will be represented in parliament. Then that will be nothing but dictatorial democracy! How will the Tiger entry into democratic political arena affect the existence of TNA [Tamil National Alliance] and the TULF [Tamil United Liberation Front]?
There are lot to think about and to find the right answers. But in all of these, the welfare of the Tamil civilians must be uppermost in the minds of those who wish to play ball in Sri Lankan politics.
The international community and the corporate media must exert lot of pressure on the Sri Lankan state. First the culture of impunity must be rooted out. The building blocks for sustainable peace cannot be neglected at this crucial moment. South Africa's model of a TRC [Truth and Reconciliation Commission] ought to be explored now that the war is officially over.
No one can have the cake and eat it.
