No A-9 opening till stoppage of violence by LTTE: Rajapakse

Dehradun, Nov 26: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse today renewed his invitation to Tamil Tiger rebels to resume the stalled peace talks to end the escalating violence but made it clear that the A-9 Highway, connecting Jaffna with the mainstream, blockade would not be lifted till the cessation of terrorist activities by LTTE.

Ahead of his meeting with his Indian counterpart APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the next two days, Mr Rajapakse said he would brief and discuss the Sri Lankan situation with Indian leaders, apprising them of the threat to security of the entire region by the LTTE activities.

Putting the ball in the LTTE's court for restoration of peace, Mr Rajapakse said he was not averse to peace talks but they (LTTE) have always either rejected the efforts or made their own position impossible. The Sri Lankan Government has always offered to negotiate with them across the table and craft a solution that respects human rights and democratic values.

In a chat with newspersons, Mr Rajapakse said that he would seek India's assistance to patrol the Indo-Lankan maritime border to combat terrorist and smuggling activities.

He outrightly rejected the possibility of his seeking international Military intervention to tackle the LTTE (The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). ''Why should I go and seek the coalition forces intervention in my country'', Mr Rajapakse remarked when a reporter asked him about this possibility.

Mr Rajapakse took strong exception to recent reports that the section of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces was actively aiding and abetting in recruitment of child soldiers by the Karuna Group in the East and rubbished such charges. ''It's a joke'', he said in reply to a specific question. He said all complaints relating to alleged human rights violations are inquired into impartially and in accordance with the relevant international norms and standards. He said that his Government has appointed a powerful commission of inquiry to investigate and enquire into serious violation of human rights.

The work of this commission comprising highly respected persons representing all ethnic communities and all segments of society would be observed by the group by internationally recognised independent and eminent persons. This group would be headed by former Chief Justice of India PN Bhagwati. He said international observers would also be nominated for this commission by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and a group of nations.

The President said this soon after laying the foundation stone for Indo-Sri Lanka Human Rights Centre for the South-Asian Countries and release of the book ''Women in governance in South Asia- A Handbook for capacity building''. The function was organised by Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra, where the new Centre would be build up.

Earlier, Mr Rajapakse virtually made it clear that there was no scope for cut and paste solutions for complex situations like the one being faced by his Nation due to LTTE activities.

Inaugurating the Ist Asian Mayors' Conference, he articulated his views diplomatically drawing a parallel between the local city problems faced by Mayors and National problems being faced by him.

He said consensual approach was the only way out though the process might be slow.

Mr Rajapakse said the impunity with which the LTTE violates the human rights in Sri Lanka of Tamil speaking people in particular and the Sri Lankan people in general is the glaring example of such violation. ''Any Tamil leader who does not agree with their cruel and inhuman modes of operation is killed by them. Dissent is not allowed by them from any section of the Tamil community. A diversity of views- the hallmark of any democracy -has no place in their order of things.'' Defending actions of his government, he said they have had to adopt emergency measures to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country threatened by the menace of terrorism. ''But even at the time like this we remain deeply committed to promotion and protection of human rights. The Government has taken firm actions so that no human rights violations were tolerated and the violators be brought before justice.'' He reminded that he had cut his teeth in politics over 30 years ago as a human rights activist.

Mr Rajapakse is visiting India at a time when some of the major political parties in Tamil Nadu were opposing his visit branding him as anti-Tamil leader, but the President said he would explain his position to the Indian leaders and always wanted India's support as ''it is our closest friend.'' According to him stepped up patrol in the Indo-Lankan maritime border would substantially control arms smuggling and drugs trafficking. It would not only check Sea Tigers, suicide bombers but also Indian Fishermen.

He said ever since he had taken the reins, everyday offer was made for peace talks but LTTE always stepped up hostilities and blunted economic development programms for the island, having majority of Sinhalese. But ultimately his government had no option but to act, the President clarified while giving day-by-day account of his peace overtures.

At the Mayors' Conference, Mr Rajapakse said any lasting, sustainable solution to a serious problem must have an approach that is both inclusive and consensual. ''They tried to push us towards adopting magic formulae and cut and paste solution which do not stand a test of time.'' The Sri Lankan President was accorded a red carpet welcome at the conference and was given number of mementoes at both the functions.

The entire city was decked up with welcome arches for the Asian Mayors and the visiting President.

UNI