Sovereignty and Tiger terror
THE news that the SLFP would be tabling its proposals shortly
to find a political solution to our conflict is indicative of the fact
that the political process in this regard is very much on and ticking.
Besides, this measure by the SLFP is proof that war mongerism is not on
its agenda.
Shedding more light on these issues was the statement by President
Mahinda Rajapaksa that while terrorism needed to be defused by the
State, a political solution should be found to the conflict as well.
He also said that as the President of Sri Lanka it was his duty to
protect the sovereignty of the country and of the people and to work
towards this goal with a sense of responsibility.
This pledge by the President to uphold the sovereignty of the country
and of the people gains enormous significance when the current threat to
civilized living posed by LTTE terror is taken into consideration.
It is all well and good to go steadily ahead with the search for a
political solution but one cannot minimize the importance of quelling
Tiger terror because the search for a negotiated solution needs to be
conducted freely by the State and other stakeholders to the conflict.
None of these parties would even for a moment like to feel compelled
to pay heed to the urgings of armed, undemocratic groups such as the
Tigers.
Accordingly, the Tigers would need to be contained militarily as long
as they do not down arms and insist on continuing with their terror
spree. With these considerations we touch on the very essence of the
concept of sovereignty.
Put simply, freedom of decision - making and thinking is sovereignty.
Where this capacity is lacking, as in the case of a State and its
people, sovereignty could not be said to exist.
In fact such a people or collectivity could be described as enslaved
and lacking in sovereignty. This is why an elected President needs to be
forever concerned about the sovereignty of the people and the State.
It is, of course, an utmost priority to find a political solution to
our conflict but we cannot do this under compulsion from any quarter,
more so from the LTTE which is a terror group.
If the LTTE desires to be a party to the search for a solution it is
required to renounce violence and recognize the indivisibility of Sri
Lanka.
Until then, the State would be obliged to deal with it militarily
because no self-respecting State would bow down to terror.
These are really home truths, which we as the guardians of the public
interest, repeatedly voice in this comment. Unfortunately, not all
sections of the world community give us the impression that they
understand them fully and appreciate them.
The fact is that the dilemmas faced by the Lankan State are either
not appreciated by these sections or are ignored by them.
However, sovereignty is a concept which almost all states,
particularly democratic ones, would swear by.
Therefore, it is highly hypocritical of these sections of the world
community to show even the slightest partiality for the LTTE. What is
sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander too.
Meanwhile, we call on our law enforcers to pay heed to the President
and crack down hard on those violating the law of the land. No quarter
could be given to criminals and crime gangs who are intent on
embarrassing the country. |
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