By: D. B. S. Jeyaraj
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Leader Velupillai Prabakharan will meet representatives of the national and international media at a special press conference in the Northern mainland of the Wanni before Sinhala and Tamil new year in April.
This gigantic media meet to be held either in Kilinochchi or Mallaavi will be comprehensive and cover all aspects of the on going peace process.
LTTE political strategist and chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham revealed plans of a press conference prior to his departure from Britain to Sri Lanka on Friday March 22.
Balasingham and his Australia-born spouse Adele Anne are scheduled to arrive in the Wanni tomorrow, March 25.
It is learnt that the Balasinghams will not be travelling through the Colombo Airport as planned earlier, because of security concerns.
Instead an alternate and safer route has been devised in consultation with Norway and the upper echelons of the Sri Lankan government.
Balasingham told The Sunday Leader that he will be staying in Sri Lanka for about six weeks depending of course on health considerations.
The trip to the Wanni is being undertaken for the Tiger theoretician to engage in confidential consultations with the LTTE leader.
This meeting is regarded as crucially important to the progress of the peace process.
Balasingham has rendered yeoman service to the cause of a negotiated settlement so far by interacting with the facilitators from Oslo.
Elaborating on the proposed press conference Balasingham said that it would be open to local and foreign journalists.
‘Mr. Prabakharan is prepared to answer all questions regarding the past, present and future of the on going peace process and outline the LTTE stance openly,’ said Balasingham.
‘The media can seek answers to issues and clarify doubts directly from Mr. Prabakharan himself, instead of relying on secondary and tertiary sources,’ he continued.
The proposal to conduct a media meet was mooted because of negative attitudes maintained by sections of the media said Balasingham.
‘Mr. Prabakharan feels that by meeting the press at this point of time he can clear the air and take the peace process forward,’ Balasingham said.
The Tiger supremo described in the press as ‘elusive’ and ‘reclusive’ has not conducted an open press conference for more than ten years.
He has also not granted media interviews for nearly seven years now.
Balasingham said that he would be associated with his leader and function as interpreter.
Asked about his proposed itinerary in Sri Lanka the LTTE ideologue replied that it had not been finalised yet.
‘Apart from consultations with Mr. Prabakharan I hope to visit all parts of the northern and eastern provinces and meet our political wing leaders. I hope to focus my efforts getting the movement to participate fully in the political process,’ he said.
The Balasinghams left the Wanni by an LTTE ship in January 1999.
March 24th, 2002