Interviewed by Amarnath K. Menon, India Today
Published on 15.10.1991
In the heart of Tiger territory at Kondavil in Jaffna, visitors are a rare sight. Last fortnight, Principal Correspondent Amarnath K. Menon Spoke to LTTE ideologue, Anton Balasingham, in the bomb-ravaged town. Also present was Yogaratnam Yogi, secretary of the LTTE’S political wing, who broke into the conversation occasionally to attack the Indian media. Balasingham spoke at length on the LTTE’s role in Jaffna, but skirted the issue of its involvement in Rajiv’s assassination with remarkable finesse, arguing they didn’t even know “who some characters described as LTTE men are”. Excerpts:
Q. Have the post-Rajiv assassination developments in India caused a setback to the LTTE?
A. Why are our supporters being held in Tamil Nadu?
Q. You didn’t answer my question.
A. Our image has been damaged. There are international repercussions. But we have sympathy among people in Tamil Nadu due to the legitimacy of our cause and our cultural links. If Jayalalitha tries to cut those links, it will be counter-productive. Since we are a major politico-military force, India must revise her position.
Q.There are reports of your selling arms to Naxalites in India.
A. These stories are rubbish. We desperately need the arms. We are confronted with a big war here.
Q. From where do you get arms?
A. In ambushes. China is giving arms to Sri Lanka in order to contain India. Ultimately we get them.
Q. What are the LTTE’S strengths and weaknesses?
A. We have thrown the Sri Lankan Army out of Jaffna Fort, Mankulam and Kokkuvil. A few camps are left and we are trying to get rid of them. Vast areas are under our control. Politically, we are for negotiations. But Sri Lanka has put stumbling blocks like asking for Pirabhakaran’s presence at the talks. There is also an economic embargo on since June. People are suffering and the economy is crippled.
Q.Have you improved your fighting capability?
A. Yes. The Elephant Pass battle is a demonstration of our ability to fight a regular war. It took 10,000 Sri Lankan troops 24 days to advance 5 km with tactical naval and aerial support. We have introduced an anti-aircraft system and also use locally-produced mortars that can carry 1,000 kg of explosive over a mile.
Q. Do you have popular support?
A. More and more people are backing us. Coping with hardship is now part of their life. The economic embargo has made them feel that Colombo doesn’t view them as Sri Lankan citizens. Food prices are high and unemployment is soaring. We are trying to develop a self-sustaining economy through cooperative farming and cottage industries.
Q. How do you choose your cadres?
A. There is a six-month political and military training before commissioning. The cyanide pill they carry is a symbol of the willingness and courage to sacrifice one’s life for a cause.
Q. How do you motivate recruits?
A. Our army commanders move forward and set an example, unlike generals in traditional armies. We are a small nation fighting a big enemy. We must have motivation. We are unique in our fighting ability.
Q. What is the administration’s role in LTTE-controlled areas?
A. We have not eliminated it. But we have our own system and collect our own taxes. The party looks after law and order in the absence of a court. If there is a major problem, appeals can be made to Pirabhakaran.
Q. How about funds?
A. People who have money contribute. We also get money from Tamil expatriates. But, since banks don’t allow over Rs 1,000 to be withdrawn at a time, we have a clandestine system to convert foreign currency.