SL: WE CAN'T BE A BANANA REPUBLIC!!!!

We feel belittled: Hakeem

SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem is speaking of a grand alliance between the minority parties to meet the concerns of the minority communities. Blaming the govt. for ignoring these issues, he is also critical of some inhibitions on the part of the main opposition in not taking a definite stand on the futility of the war. “The UNP is inhibited by the propaganda machinery of the government. There’s a feeling that the UNP shouldn’t be seen criticizing the war. This kind of confusing mindset can’t solve the burning issues facing the country,” he adds.

There is a fear psychosis growing among the minorities.
I am critical of Ranil for not using Parliament to address these issues.
UNP is not taking a definite stand on the futility of the war.
UNP’s confusing mindset can’t solve the burning issues facing the country.
Certainly the LTTE can’t be trusted.
Q: What is the necessity for the grand alliance you speak of ?

The main opposition UNP has mooted the idea of a grand alliance and it has been discussed for some time. But some of the basic issues don’t seem to get addressed properly like electoral reforms or devolution. Though there are occasional statements coming out of the government leadership on the rights of the minorities they hardly suffice when there is a need for a clear cut policy on this. We also find the APRC not going anywhere since it is only a devise to hoodwink the international community. We have no hope of achieving anything from that. We should form ourselves in to a pressure group on issues needing urgent attention and exposing the duplicity of key players. It doesn’t in anyway hamper the efforts of the UNP if they want to link up with us. As usual the UNP has to talk about economic issues. There are also some inhibitions on the part of the main opposition in not taking a definite stand on the futility of the war. The UNP is inhibited by the propaganda machinery of the government. There’s a feeling that UNP shouldn’t be seen criticizing the war. This kind of confusing mindset can’t solve the burning issues facing the country.

Q: You were always seen as a UNP ally even though you joined this government for a little while. Are you mooting a separate alliance to avoid being seen as fulfilling a UNP agenda rather than the needs of the Muslim community ?

The problem with the UNP is that it’s saddled with its own internal strife and is confused about talking on vital minority issues. There is no use in asking UNP Members of the minority communities in speaking for minority rights when it must come from the UNP leadership. I am critical of Ranil for not using Parliament to address these issues. He had since the Presidential elections ceded leadership in the Parliament to others and merely operated backstage. First he got Mr. Karu Jayasuriya but after he moved he is now using Sajith Premadasa, who doesn’t seem interested in using Parliament for this end. The leadership seems to be otherwise preoccupied. He must use the Chambers to address the issues. This state of affairs isn’t at all satisfactory. As the main Opposition UNP must play its role with more commitment and zeal.

Q: Are these concerns having greater impact to you given that during the UNP regime your presence at the peace talks was rejected? Are you concerned that there is no room for minority rights within the UNP ?

They are certainly not ignorant of minority issues. But they seem very confused as to what their policy line should be on this, in the midst of the hype of war propaganda created war hysteria in the country. The main opposition can’t be seen to be aping the government as far as the nationalist stand. We need to see leadership coming to the forefront. We need for the leadership to be a little more open in attitude. Otherwise they should go to the grassroots and work from there.

Q: The government looks like it is poised to win this war. What are your concerns with regard to the on-going military exercises ?

When you see those in the military leadership making sentiments on minority communities, we feel we don’t belong here. Then there are government Ministers praising these officials, and not one Minister has to date disassociated themselves from these statements. These comments raise a variety of concerns where the community is concerned.

Those in the defence establishment were saying that there have been only six air attacks by the LTTE as opposed to 6000 sorties carried out by the Air Force. If the Air Force does tat against its own civilians what about their concerns, what is the impression we get? In their enthusiasm their real agenda is seen. They want to talk tough and be popular, but they really need to be tempered down. We wish the security forces well, but the minorities are made to feel as if their contributions are not appreciated. We feel belittled. It is as if it’s a Sinhala army- look at the way they have named the regiments. This is all a mono-culturist attitude to the war. This is a very objectionable stand. They have to go through some change. They can call me a traitor but as a Sri Lankan we must feel wanted. There is a fear psychosis growing among the minorities. But it’s a bigger joke when the LTTE aircraft can come and bomb Kelanitisaa and leave like they did last night. Any other self respecting Air Force Commander would resign. What is their excuse today? At this rate they can come and bomb the Parliament in broad day light! Where is all the military expenditure going?

Q: You have expressed concerns with regard to the Muslims in the East. Are you of the view that things have not become better for the Muslims after liberation in the East ?

The whole strategy of the government on the conflict appears to be in what they are doing in the East. They feel that there is no need for devolution of power. They may go to New Delhi and say that they want to devolve power but on the ground it is a different situation. We are sick of hearing this all the time. We can see where this strategy is going. The govt. uses others as cat’s paws to demonstrate against devolution. This is a joke. We see how these demonstrations are organized for the government’s agenda of a militarist approach, which will not solve the conflict.

Q: But how would you compare their position today with that of when you had signed an MoU with the LTTE when the LTTE harassed or killed Muslim people in Valachchanai or Muttur ?

It’s only that the players have changed. The LTTE has been taken over by the TMVP. There is no change in attitude towards the Muslims. At the recent Akkaraipattu incident all fingers were turned towards the TMVP, with various others incidents when Muslims were killed. There’s a tight leash on the media so that no one knows what is happening there. Minorities are totally neglected. All types of statements to the contrary are mere symbolic gestures.

Q: How do you view the developments in Tamil Nadu, where New Delhi seems to have acted in favour of the Sri Lankan government ?

We have to go back to the Non-aligned summit in Havana when as assurance was made to the Indian PM that the North East will not be merged. Subsequently when the President visited New Delhi not even a photo opportunity was offered. India is clear about their concerns about other players in their backyard. Of course the failed agitation cost Karunanidhi his credibility with all his theatrics. All was turned upside down. He was made to eat humble pie. But in my opinion India is also losing credibility in the midst of all these fire fighting exercises they carry out. Certainly the LTTE can’t be trusted. India has learnt bitter lessons. And with the Congress at the centre their reluctance to deal with Prabakaran is apparent. The government campaign in hoodwinking India seems to have worked out, but we will not sit silently and watch all these theatrics. We are going to find alternative ways to win our rights.

Q: The SLMC and the JHU seemed to get on very well during your stint in the government. But now there is a serious war of words in between. Where did things go wrong ?

When the JHU says that the country only belongs to the Sinhalese we can’t sit back and do nothing. They can’t say it doesn’t belong to us as well. This is as much our country as it is theirs. These theories about who came first can’t hold now. They must learn to respect other communities and the sacrifices made by them on nation building. This is not a god given right to the Sinhalese. Co-existence is a virtue we all want to proudly proclaim. But we are not going to sit and watch this.

Q: You left the government during the 3rd reading of the last budget. With another budget around the corner, are we going to see another change ?

We will look at issues on their merits and follow on. That is a decision we will take depending on the issues facing us. There is heavy borrowing and our external resources are depleting heavily. There will be a serious impact on the economy. These expenditures can’t be sustained beyond this year. This budget surely won’t bring this country any closer to a solution. This government is only going on the military agenda and on a euphoria which will soon evaporate. Their mishandling of GSP+ show that we have no consideration for the human rights concerns of the world and proof of the government’s dismal human rights record.

Q: There is a call for international intervention against the military operations in the Wanni. How do you think the international community should respond ?

We are not rooting for intervention as such but these concerns can’t be brushed aside. As countries concerned with human rights they would want certain norms to be addressed. They are bound to insist on certain standards. Aid doesn’t come without strings attached. We can’t be a banana republic not concerned with international concerns. Innocent people are being targeted and democracy breached. This must change. That must come with a struggle and we will carry out that struggle till the people’s needs are met.
courtesy:dailymirror.lk