What the British MPs had to say about the LTTE ?

The debate on Sri Lanka in the British House of Commons came at a time when the LTTE was being attacked and exposed from all fronts.

Arrests in Australia and indictments in India, amidst the commitment of countries to help combat LTTE terrorism, made headlines during the past few weeks and months. So, Britain debated while the LTTE was being exposed. Now, unlike any other time in history, the LTTE stands naked - with nowhere to run or no place to hide.

The United Kingdom, like many others in the international community, is well aware of the nature of the Tamil Tiger terrorists, and this was brought to the fore on May 2, 2007. The Members of Parliament raised many poignant matters concerning the brutality of the LTTE. To put it simply, the British Parliament bludgeoned the LTTE and condemned the terrorist acts perpetrated by the Tiger rebels.

The statements of the British MPs have received little attention. The castigation of the LTTE by some of the senior Members of Parliament is ought to be highlighted.
Tiger terrorism

The Minister for the Middle East, Dr. Kim Howells, summarised the position of the LTTE with remarkable clarity when he stated at the outset of the debate that:

"The responsibility of the LTTE for violent acts over the years is well documented. It is a proscribed organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000. The EU listed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation in May 2006. We have repeatedly urged the LTTE to move away from the path of violence ... LTTE involvement in killings, torture, detention of civilians and denial of freedom of speech is a reality. The LTTE does not tolerate any expression of opposition..."

This statement covers many aspects which have been proven to be accurate.

Apart from the banning of the LTTE by the UK and the EU and many other countries such as the US and India, the LTTE's involvement in killings and torture is widely known. For instance, on the issue of torture, it was recently reported that there is compelling evidence to prove that the LTTE maintained torture chambers.

The Special Task Force uncovered torture chambers and lockups at the LTTE's Madurakavi camp. It was reported that 'these torture chambers were small and many of the LTTE child brigade', who had surrendered to the Sri Lankan Forces, 'revealed the harassment meted out to them by the LTTE if they caught trying to escape.'(The Island, 17th January 2007).
LTTE fundraising will not be tolerated

The fundraising activity of the LTTE was also another prominent topic that received the attention of the MPs. The fundraising activity of the LTTE, especially in the UK, is a popular phenomenon. It is the funds collected through force, compulsion and intimidation, from Tamil expatriates, that ensures the existence of the LTTE. Their ability to procure arms is greatly enhanced due to the extortion of money.

Also, activities such as fundraising and money laundering manifest the LTTE's lack of commitment to enter the democratic process and seek a peaceful and negotiated settlement. Fundraising only encourages war. It leaves no room to think of peace.

This was brought out clearly by Dr. Howells when he stated that "the ability of the LTTE to raise funds overseas helps sustain its ability to carry out violent acts and reduces the incentive to move away from the path of violence.

LTTE fundraising activity in the United Kingdom encourages war, not peace. It will not be tolerated." Dr. Howells also stated that he has recently met the security authorities in the UK "to discuss how we can counter the bullying, threats and acts of fraud that are used regularly to extract money from the Tamil population and others in the country."

Dr. Howells's statement comes at a time when the British police are in the process of investigating a global credit card scam, allegedly linked to the LTTE. Thousands of motorists, using credit cards to buy petrol, are said to have lost millions of pounds due to the covert operations of the LTTE.

Scotland Yard officials have begun their hunt for suspected Tiger operatives in Britain in the wake of the credit card scam. It was also reported that bank statements relating to some of the filling station owners who have been evading arrest have been gathered.

These owners are said to have donated thousands of pounds every year to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), the main pro-LTTE organisation in London.

Another MP, Mr. Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow) (Lab) also stated that he has no doubt and is convinced that "money is being raised in this country which goes to the LTTE."