Prabhakaran always for personal fiefdom - Liam Fox
 It
was evident all along that the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was
not interested in a political solution to the issues in Sri Lanka and
the Tamil people, but in establishing a personal fiefdom for himself,
said the British Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox is discussions with
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees today.
He was appreciative of the leadership of President
Rajapaksa and his ability to muster a powerful coalition that brought in
divergent political positions; and by this to proceed with his
initiative to free the country of terrorism.
President Rajapaksa explained to Dr. Liam Fox the
consistent policy of the government with regard to eradicating
terrorism, and addressing the problems of the minorities in Sri Lanka
through dialogue towards a political solution.
Pressure on TNA
Dr Fox said there was a need for the international
community, acting through the Tamil Diaspora, to bring pressure on the
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to join other political parties
represented in parliament to work out a political solution to the
problems of the minorities in Sri Lanka.
He said that if the Tamil Diaspora channeled the funds
it gave to the LTTE for the development of the North and East, there
could be much progress in the country and development for the minority
communities.
President Rajapaksa apprised the British Shadow
Defence Secretary, who was familiar with the efforts of earlier
governments too to seek peace in the country, of the humanitarian
operation by the security forces to defeat the LTTE, eradicate terrorism
and restore peace and democracy in the country.
English & IT
Dr. Fox, a leading Conservative MP from Britain, said
he was greatly impressed by President Rajapaksa's initiative on the
spread of IT and English in the country. He said there was big potential
for education to bring people together. The role of the international
community at this stage was not to keep raising question, but to see how
best to help in bringing the communities in Sri Lanka together, he said.
He also said a future Conservative Government would
assist in the spread of IT and English, through the British Council and
other agencies.
He outlined the necessity for an independent fund for
the rational channeling of assistance from abroad to improve the living
conditions of people in less developed countries.
Dr. Fox said the British government had confused
issues by its proposal for a special envoy to Sri Lanka, which matter he
had taken up with the UK Government.
He said the strong political position of President
Rajapaksa today, and his leadership, had opened a unique window of
opportunity for Sri Lanka to end a long standing problem and move on a
new road to progress, with lasting peace in the country.
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