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SOOSAI ISSUES A VEILED MILITAY THREAT AT PALLAI AS THE RANIL WICKREMESINGHE GOVERNMENT AGREES TO MOVE TROOPS IN JAFFNA

Photo

Pottu Amman , Intelligence Chief of the LTTE and wanted for the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi was the chief guest at the military show of might at the LTTE celebration held at Pallai to celebrate the third anniversary of the capture of the Elephant Pass military garrison from the Sri Lanka Army
(photo by LTTE)


By Walter Jayawardhana reporting from Los Angeles

April 29, 07:00 PM:The people of Tamil Eelam should decide whether to continue with the 14 months old peace talks held in various world capitals or take an alternative path at a time when America is requested ships to destroy the Sea Tigers said Soosai , the commander of Sea Tigers , the naval unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam {LTTE).

Soosai’s veiled threat came at the LTTE’s show of military might held at Pallai, Monday April 28 to celebrate the third anniversary of the capture of Elephant Pass military garrison from the Sri Lanka Army. The LTTE hailed the capture as one of the greatest military victories of the world that would go into the history.

LTTE’s senior commander and intelligence chief , Pottu Amman whose extradition is constantly demanded by the Indian government was the chief guest of the celebrations. The celebration was held at Pallai, the LTTE said, because that was where a Sri Lanka Army artillery grounds were formerly located.

Soosai, making a rousing speech accused the government for still maintaining various restrictions in the seas and the land curbing the fishing industry and the agriculture in what he called “Tamil Eelam”
br>He said at a time when the LTTE was stretching its hands in peace to the government discussions were taking place to obtain ships to destroy the Sea Tigers. He said under those circumstances it would be the people of what he called “Tamil Eelam” who would decide whether to hold peace talks or to take other alternative steps.

At the celebrations the arms captured from the Sri Lanka army from small handguns to 152 mm artillery guns were exhibited.

Reports said thousands of supporters of the LTTE flocked to the celebrations in the midst of a heavy storm to witness Pottu Amman hoisting the red and yellow separatist flag of the ferocious leaping tiger at the celebrations.

Lighting flames specially commemorated the LTTE Suicide Bombers Squad, Black Tiger leaders Thanushan and Suthajini who helped the cause by their deaths in the capture of the military garrison.

Describing the growth of the military might of the LTTE the intelligence chief Pottuamman said a decade ago the LTTE could not capture the Elephant Pass garrison when it had only one thousand troops within two square kilometers. But he said after 10 years they were able to capture Elephant Pass garrison in 80 square kilometers with a strength of about 40,000 Sri Lankan troops.

The LTTE’s show of military might came at a time when the Ranil Wickremesinghe government on the same day agreed to move some of its troops in the Northern capital of Jaffna , where majority of Tamils live , to lure the LTTE back to the peace talks.

Earlier, opposition leaders had charged that the LTTE suspended talks to impose pre-conditions to re-enter the peace negotiations and one of them was the changes in high security zone of Jaffna.

Under the latest arrangement the Sri Lanka government agreed to move its troops from Gnanam and Subash Hotels and 80 more houses to Jaffna Fort.

The following is the press release issued by the Ministry of Defense describing its move to the Jaffna Fort: Gnanam and Subash Hotels and about 80 more houses inside the “High Security Zone in the Jaffna city are presently used by the members of the Army and the Police. Several Tamil political parties, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) and also the LTTE made submissions to the Government and the Armed Forces requesting the vacation of these buildings. Based on these representations made, Ministry of Defense (MOD) decided to shift those Military and Police establishments to selected state land. However, this decision was initially opposed by the LTTE, some Tamil political parties and NGOs. The main argument against such relocation was that, in the process of normalization, institutions such as Jaffna Municipal Council should operate, Jaffna Rest House and the Court complex should also function after reconstruction.. This situation however reached a stalemate due to objections that were raised. The Government discussed this matter with Minister of Defense, Secretary Ministry of Defense and the Commander of the Army, and later with the Security Forces Commander (Jaffna). In the final discussion held in Colombo on Friday (25April 2003) on the same matter, it was decided to shift the Military and Police establishments located in the present High Security Zone (HSZ) in Jaffna city to Jaffna Fort and the lands that were occupying the Police station Jaffna and its barracks in the vicinity of Jaffna Fort to state lands, west of the Jaffna Fortress. Surveying of these lands has already been completed. The Government is to use materials brought under Indian Line of Credit for this construction. Part of this consignment has already reached Jaffna. It is anticipated that the shifting will be completed in a short period of time.”

Defense Secretary Austin Fernando said the shifting would take about two to three months.



(29/04/03 go2lanka.com)