DECIMATING THE LTTE REMNANTS - BY OWN HAND

DID the capture and swift extradition to Sri Lanka of the newly self-appointed 'savior of the Tamil people' happen as a result of on going internecine struggle within the LTTE? Reports from those with deep rooted contacts within the tiger lobby such as veteran reporter DBS Jeyaraj say yes.

Kumaran Pathmanadan aka KP was the last remaining top Tamil Tiger who was badly wanted by Sri Lankan authorities now keen to wrap up the endgame against the terrorist LTTE. Though the LTTE was wiped off militarily in a punishing campaign which stunned the world for its swift and decisive action, Sri Lankan authorities and defence analysts worldwide continue to see the LTTE remaining a credible organization overseas where a large Tamil diaspora sympathetic towards the Tigers still harbor searing hatred towards the island nation.

The final phase of the anti-terrorist operations by the Sri Lanka Defence Forces [SLDF] saw the annihilation of the LTTE leadership under circumstances which still remain speculative, irrespective of statements by the government and military authorities. However, the average Sri Lankan and anyone who has known the facts about the LTTE find the elimination of the terror group to be only a source of comfort.

The capture and removal of KP from the self installed leadership position creates an interesting scenario. Firstly, the overseas pro-LTTE diaspora was convinced that the death of the Tamil Tiger leadership would automatically facilitate removal of the LTTE's terrorist stigma and make it easier for the group to access international political leaders. Statements issued by KP indicating a move towards becoming a democratic entity are aimed clearly towards convincing world leaders with known sympathy for the Tamil Tiger cause that they can now be openly associated with, without adverse publicity. Had the pro-LTTE lobby been capable of building up a coherant campaign which resulted in convincing the interested international players that the group will no longer resort to terrorism, it may have resulted in increased pressure on the Sri Lankan government to negotiate or grant siginificant concessions to them. Although KP made the right noises in this regard he failed to impress anyone even if it seemed to bring about a reconcilliation among some of the fractured pro-LTTE lobby. The wider international community seemed unconvinced, at least for now.

The prevailing politico-military ground reality in Sri Lanka does not allow for another uprising to be successful in anyway for the foreseeable future, unless significantly supported by the regional power India. Given the current political climate in the region, India is unlikely to support another terrorist movement in Sri Lanka knowing quite well that it would lead to disasterous results in Tamilnadu and adjacent states.

Had KP been successful in executing a long term strategy to gain the confidence of world leaders to remove the ban against the group for long enough to re-organize and re-arm a sizeable dissident force within Sri Lankan territory, a protracted future war could have resulted though with predictably doubtful results. From the pro-LTTE lobby's perspective it would have nevertheless been a worthy effort, to show to the world that there is a continuing tamil struggle which needs recognition. To the remaining overseas Tigersit would provide the much needed means to keep the lucrative funding lines open, which in turn provides a life of luxury to those holding powerful positions within the organization.

Now that KP has been virtually eliminated, his overt rival Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyavan becomes the heir apparent. Tamil sources are abuzz that it was Nediyavan who provided the information to Sri Lankan intelligence leading to KP's quick rendition. While the circumstances surrounding his arrest by Sri Lankan authorities remain unclear, it appears to have been a Mossad style extraction operation originating in Malaysia and arriving in Sri Lanka via Thailand.

Nediyavan, backed by hardliners who detested KP's apparent soft approach are likely to carry forward the same violent rhetoric while attempting to raise funds from the Tamil overseas diaspora using strong arm tactics. Members of Tamil diaspora are now in for another nightmare period as the new leadership attempts to establish itself in power using the best known method to the Tamil Tigers, physical violence and coercion.

To the Sri Lankan establishment, KP's capture would be another feather in its cap, as the grand finale grinds on. At this moment even if this prized capture is yet another reason for additional jubilation, Sri Lankan decision makers need to focus more on strategically thinking ahead to proactively neutralize the next potential threat to our national security and territorial integrity.

The next threat will come from the Tamil hardliners abroad attempting to re-establish themselves into a coherant organization which will attempt to deny any connection to the globally banned LTTE. Such an entity can be expected to be more successful in winning over the allegiance of a wider majority of overseas Tamils and the usual international political figures most Sri Lankans percieve to be LTTE stooges. The Achelles' heel of any such organization will still be a dire need to finance its operations, primarily from member contributions. Knowing that coercion will be used to obtain contributions, Sri Lankan intelligence needs to watch for tell tale signs and seek the cooperation of international law enforcement agencies to restrict such activity.

The war didn't end when the last shot was fired on a lonely stretch of land in North Eastern Sri Lanka. It merely changed hue and moved overseas. Capturing and incarcerating LTTE leaders whenever possible will not end it either. A series of well planned and executed diplomatic and law-enforcement operations that reach far out across the world are now needed to snuff out the remaining monsters.