AS the anti-terror operations in Sri Lanka reach a decisive and euphoric climax, it is important to stay dis-engaged from the evolving drama, to be able to continually evaluate each change which comes with its own inherent set of new opportunities.
Most people in Sri Lanka, including those les miserables caught up in the malarial Wanni jungles are hoping for a quick end to the violence and establishment of a sustainable peace. The only thing which stands between achieving that peace and prevention of a huge loss of life in the process are the rabid LTTE leadership and a few die hard adherents of a bankrupt argument for racist segragation.
The message the Sri Lankan government carries to the civillians and the rank and file of the LTTE must focus around the possiblities that exist for those who are willing to make peace. It is easy to surmise they would be listeining intently, given the fact that the majority of the new conscripts are unwilling pawns of a suicidal campaign for the LTTE even while its leadership makes elaborate plans to escape from being held accountable for monstrous human rights violations.
Sri Lanka must seriously consider motivating the middle level cadre of the LTTE, some of whom may yet be untainted by crimes against humanity, to liquidate the top rung of the terror outfit, and thereafter become partners in a civilized dialogue towards achieving a sustainable and dignified peace.
To be truly effective, the alternate to that choice should leave no doubts in the minds of the LTTE members; that is, failure to accept this offer would ensure that they too would be treated as similarly as the leadership in time to come.
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