NORWEGIAN SUPPORT FOR LTTE
TERRORISTS
OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE ROYAL NORWEGION
PARLIAMENT
Ranjith Soysa
WAPS Spokesperson
24 September 2008
COPIES TO : Honourable members
of Parliament
Ladies and gentleman,
"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR
THEY SHALL
BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD" Matthew 5
Having embarked on 'peace missions' in several countries around the
globe, the time has come for the government of Norway to seriously delve
into its conscience to ascertain whether its intentions have been really
genuine and honest.
This has become imperative especially in the Sri Lankan context, as
there seem to be more questions than answers with regard to the involvement
of Norwegians in the peace process. Our organisation, WAPS has been
actively interested in evaluating issues related to the peace process
in Sri Lanka for the past 14 years and therefore posses a deep understanding
of the negative factors that led to Norway's failures and collapse of
the peace process as well as the clandestine activities of the Norwegian
personnel who were associated with it. Given below are details of some
of the grave betrayals of trust committed against the people, security
establishment and the government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) by the personnel
employed by the Royal Norwegian government with the complicity of the
latter.
LOSS OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT FROM NPA COMPOUND IN KILLINOCHCHI
On the 24th of July 2008, Sri Lankan media reported that several items
of heavy machinery and other vehicles which were owned and used in mine
clearing activities by the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA) organization
in the jungles of Vanni had gone missing. The Sri Lanka defence forces
personnel who made the discovery suspected that the said items were
already being used by the Tamil Tiger terrorist organization to construct
bunkers and for other insurgent activities. Naturally suspicion was
directed towards the NPA without whose knowledge the said items could
never have been removed from the compound belonging to them. Subsequently
the gen. secretary of NPA Mr. Peter Eide issued a press release on July
29 2008 (quote) "During an internal routine inspection of the suspended
NPA mine action programme's equipment and resources, on July 24 2008,
it was discovered that 8 vehicles had been 'forcibly removed' (emphasis
is ours) from the mine clearance compound in Killinochchi during the
preceding 'days' (emphasis is ours again)" unquote.
Some of the many questions that arise from the issue are:
1. Since the mine clearance operations were terminated 6 months prior
to this event, in January 2008, how is it that Mr. Eide never discovered
the loss until it was publicised by the Sri Lankan defence forces? The
timing of the press release immediately after the disclosure clearly
indicates that he had been caught on the back foot. Since, unlike the
NPA the Sri Lankan security establishment had no access to the area;
it was the sole responsibility of Mr. Eide to guard the equipment properly.
If he had employed security guards to protect these valuable pieces
of equipment from being taken away by the LTTE, how is it that he failed
to inform the Sri Lankan authorities about the loss?
2. How could Mr. Eide be so certain that the equipment disappeared
days and not months ago? Had a routine periodical inspection of the
resources ever been carried out by him and his staff? If so when was
it done last?
3. If the loss was discovered by the NPA itself, why was it not reported
to the police, the security forces and the GOSL? Why did he wait until
the media exposed the scandal?
4. What response will Mr. Eide give to the allegations of the secretary
general of SCOPP Mr. Rajiv Wijesinghe that up to 38 vehicles belonging
to NPA are believed to be in the hands of LTTE terrorists?
It may interest you to know that GOSL has instituted an inquiry into
this incident and also rejected frantic appeals from three members of
the staff requesting the renewal of their working visas. The three have
since been sent back to Norway.
MY DAUGHTER THE TERORIST
The above named film scripted for the sole purpose of glorifying the
Black Tiger suicide bombers of the LTTE, was funded in its entirety
by your government. Your foreign ministry through Norwegian Film Fund
initially released NDK 250,000 to the producer Ms. Beate Arnestad in
2005 followed by a further grant of NDK 500,000 through Free
Speech Foundation. The total received by the producer with the addition
of funds received from NORAD and the Film Fund for DVDs etc is in the
region of NDK 1,000,000... Although it is well known that it is the
children from impoverished families of the Hindu faith living in the
uncleared areas of Wanni who are forcibly recruited for suicide missions,
the film opted to portray two teenage Catholic girls. This tactic has
deliberately been adopted to dupe American and European audiences into
believing that the bombers belong to a Catholic 'separatist movement'.
Furthermore, the entire involvement of your government in this venture,
smacks of unbridled Norwegian hypocrisy and duplicity in the light of
revelations that your government helped to falsify visa applications
of the producer by declaring that the film was intended to focus around
the Tsunami disaster. This is a classic example of the betrayal of trust
placed by the GOSL on a so called 'peace facilitator'. The independent
NGO Norwegians Against Terrorism (NAT) in its August 2008 report alleges
that Norwegian tax payer's money has been squandered on first class
air fares, luxury hotel accommodation, visits to brothels in Bangkok
etc. during the course of the filming. You have approved 'S' certification
for the film enabling it to be digitally remastered into DVD's and Videos.
This deliberate and calculated act of irresponsibility has enabled young
immature audiences to watch this horrible movie glorifying suicide bombers.
Pray tell us, is this, the type of behaviour that is to be expected
of a nation that claims to fervently embrace the teachings of the Holy
Christian Bible? The LTTE has already started exhibiting the film for
its propaganda and fund raising activities thereby making the Royal
Norwegian government a willing partner in the spread of terrorism around
the globe.
NORWAYS LINK TO THE ASSASINATION OF UNP PARLIAMENTARIAN MAHESWARAN
This is a blatant example of contract killings planned and executed
by LTTE with the collaboration of the Royal Norwegian government with
the sole intention of eliminating anyone opposed to their brutal manifesto.
It has now been revealed that LTTE was hell bent on eliminating Maheswaran
who had fallen foul of the fascist dictator. As a prerequisite to this
sordid affair, Norway had transferred funds into an account held in
a commercial bank in Colombo by the LTTE sleeper cell, assassin no.1527
well ahead of the crime. In December 2007, LTTE gave the signal and
supplied the assassin with a micro pistol and 39 rounds of ammunition
out of which he used 15 rounds to load his pistol while secreting the
rest in his Wattala abode. In view of the possibility of the existence
of many such Norwegian funded 'sleeper cells' in all parts of Sri Lanka,
it is a matter of grave concern that eight months after the assassination
no probe has yet been launched to unravel the ramifications of the Norwegian
link.
LTTE FUND RAISING WITH THE BLESSINGS OF NORWAY
Although the LTTE has been identified and banned as a terrorist organization
in several Western countries including the United State as well as others,
yet the Norwegian FMA seems to turn a blind eye to their activities
permitting LTTE and its front organizations to continue to raise funds
in Norway.
The despicable behaviour of Mr. Erik Solheim has largely contributed
towards this apathy, which has emboldened the Norwegian Labour Party
politicians to openly canvass support for the LTTE fronts. Despite concrete
evidence of human rights violations on a massive scale, evidence of
ethnic cleansing, suicide bomb and landmine attacks on civilians all
over Sri Lanka, Mr. Solheim attempted unsuccessfully to persuade the
European Union and Canada to oppose the move to proscribe the LTTE as
a terrorist organisation. Having failed in his bid he castigated the
listing as a big blunder. In an interview granted to the Norwegian newspaper
'Dagsvisen' on 11 September 2006, this individual has bragged, "The
LTTE will never be classified as a terrorist organization in Norway".
Yet, he unashamedly continues, (exposing his vulnerable underbelly of
duplicity) "Terrorism is planned attack on civilians". Doesn't
his own definition of terrorism apply to the LTTE, which has been unleashing
carnage among the civilians population for three decades in a row?
The irreparable damage caused to Norway's reputation by the actions
of this individual in the eyes of the world is incalculable. Mr. Solheim
through NORAD has been granting the LTTE and bogus Sri Lankan peace
merchants such as corrupt politicians, dishonest journalists, and NGOS
etc. vast sums of money equivalent to US $ 40 millions every year. Ambassador
Tore Hattrem has even openly admitted that part of this money has been
utilised to bribe the above individuals to actively promote the 'peace
process' of the Norwegian government. It is an open secret that the
LTTE utilised these massive grants to purchase armaments. Apart from
constructing huge underground bunkers, war cemeteries for dead cadres
and for enhancing their military capabilities in every possible way,
not one iota of the grants has ever reached the impoverished people
enslaved by them. The GOSL still continues to fund and maintain facilities
such as hospitals, schools and government departments in the occupied
areas while paying salaries to all the employees. Even provisions, farm
produce and other essentials from the South reach these areas courtesy
of GOSL. LTTE terrorists who fatten themselves up on these food items
continue to kill and maim the innocent farmers and other individuals
of the South who help to keep their evil minds and bodies alive. In
the recently liberated areas of the East not a single evidence of infrastructure
development attributed to LTTE has ever been discovered. Surprisingly
no attempt has ever been made by the donor country to investigate as
to how these funds have been disbursed by the LTTE. This type of gross
indifference is a blatant exposure of Norway's dubious role and its
credibility as an honest peacemaker.
NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE
Poring over the mass of evidence unearthed over the last few years
it is abundantly clear that Norway got herself involved in Sri Lanka
ostensibly as a ' peace broker' with ulterior motives. How else could
Norway explain her behaviour in the following instances?
1 The memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the CFA were both drafted
by Erik Solheim in consultation with LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham
in London to the total exclusion of GOSL representatives. Why?
2 The above two statements were first endorsed by the terrorist leader
and subsequently presented to Ranil Wickramasinghe, the incumbent prime
minister for signing. Under the Sri Lankan constitution the prime minister
has not been vested with executive powers empowering him to sign such
a treaty. Why did Solheim side step president Kumaranatunga who alone
held executive powers?
3 Why was the mythical concept of 'traditional homeland of the Tamils'
incorporated into it although there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever
for such an entity to have existed throughout the entire history of
the country? Wasn't this act a demonstration of Norway's partisan attitude?
4 Why was allowance made for the armed terrorists to enter government
territory at will but at the same time allowed no freedom for unarmed
civilians, GOSL officials, security forces or even the Sri Lanka Monitoring
Mission to enter the areas occupied by the LTTE?
5 Why did Norway use diplomatic privileges to import and deliver six
tons of high tech communications equipment including V-Sat facilities
to the LTTE? Ever since, this equipment has been used by them to broadcast
terrorist propaganda around the globe and to eavesdrop on security forces
and LTTE's opponents leading to the elimination of a substantial number
of them? This gifting was a direct violation of UN Security Council
resolution no1373 which forbids assistance to designated terrorist groups
6 Why did Norway continue the 'equal partners' policy by proposing the
demarcation of a separate stretch of the ocean off the Northern peninsula
for the exclusive use of LTTE?
7 Why did Norway elevate the LTTE to a position over and above GOSL
at the first round of talks in Geneva in 2006 by awarding the former
the opening address and also the right of reply?
8 Why did the Norwegian head of SLMM manufacture the story of a 'third
party' involvement in the sinking of a Chinese ship chartered by GOSL
(to freight food for the civilians of the north) knowing very well that
LTTE was the real culprit? Please be informed that a tape of the wiretapped
conversion between general Trond Furahovede and terrorist leader Pullidevan
in which the general instructs Pullidevan to confirm the story, is in
the possession of the GOSL
9 Why did Norwegian general Trygve Tellefsen leak information to the
LTTE about the movement of Sri Lankan naval vessels while he himself
was aboard one of them on a reconnaissance mission?
10 There is evidence to prove that Norwegian experts trained Sea Tigers
in under water warfare off the coast of Andaman Islands in Thailand.
Why was this done?
11 Why is it that over 50% of the 'aid' provided to Sri Lanka by Norway
is classified as 'secret'? Isn't it because this money destined for
LTTEs war chest and for lining the pockets of Sri Lankan traitors?
12 Why were only the LTTE representatives invited to Oslo after the
peace talks? Why were they taken to the Special Forces training camp
at Rena to watch demonstrations of the use of the latest military equipment?
13 Why did Norway continue to white wash the image of LTTE in the eyes
of the international community despite the atrocities it was committing
on a daily basis?
Although the former Norwegian head of SLMM Ulf Henricsson once stated,
"GOSL has no ability to defeat the LTTE", yet this is exactly
what has been achieved to date. Hopelessly outnumbered, out gunned and
out manoeuvred, the LTTE has been driven into a quagmire leaving them
with only two equally unpalatable choices - either face the bullets
from the security forces or swallow their cyanide capsules.
Honourable Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Norwegian legislature,
please be informed that our society in collaboration with well wishers
in Norway and other countries has meticulously documented the clandestine
activities of Norway Foreign Office representatives in Sri Lanka. We
have been able to draw parallels between the experiences of Serbians,
Philippinos, Somalis, middle Easterners and ourselves with regard to
your meddling. Sri Lanka is no Serbia or Somalia. We Sri Lankans are
the proud inheritors of a 2500-year-old unique civilization. Unlike
many of your ancestors our nation has always worked for peace and harmony
among all living beings. Unfortunately, thanks to a few corrupt Norwegian
politicians, members of Norwegian defence forces, media personnel and
likes of Erik Solheim we are compelled to be prejudiced about the real
intentions of Norway in Sri Lanka. Do they believe in colonial adventures
or in keeping with the modern day norms do they recognize co-existence?
We may never get to know the answers to these questions. Whatever happens,
the Sri Lankans are now more determined never again to permit misadventures
in international relations by countries like Norway.
There will be an opportunity in the near future for Norway to defend
its atrocious record, before world bodies and most likely face class
action by affected Sri Lankans.
Despite all this we firmly believe that at least some legislators in
Norway who are keen to uphold well recognized democratic principles
governing the Norwegian Nation and its bilateral relations with the
members of the international community will open their eyes and take
urgent steps to expose the miscreants to their fellow citizens. Norwegian
media unfortunately has decided to remain silent about this sordid episode
and the misuse of Norwegian taxpayers' funds by a few in the Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is indeed interesting to ascertain whether
the media silence was orchestrated by the concerned Government officials
who 'squandered' the funds or by the LTTE front men using their shock
tactics. Nonetheless, the silence has its own limits. The claims of
the Norwegian Ministry officials, their ego charged objectives in the
Sri Lanka misadventure and the irreparable damage caused to the image
of Norway are factors, which will be investigated and commented upon
by fearless members of the Fourth Estate in the near future. We owe
a debt of gratitude to NAT for standing up in spite of highly controversial
attempts by the Norwegian Government officials to bury the bitter truth
of Norway's determination to create a separate country for the LTTE
terrorists out of Sri Lankan territory.
As a result of your government's complicity with and assistance to
the LTTE terrorists, thousands of innocent lives were unnecessarily
lost.
WAPS requests urgent investigations and answers from the Royal Norwegian
Government to the issues highlighted. The failure to do so would be
considered an admission of insidious complicity in the gruesome crimes
committed by the LTTE. We will then be free to proceed with the options
available to us.
We conclude with a quotation from William Shakespeare thus:
"THE EVIL THAT MEN DO LIVES AFTER THEM; THE GOOD IS OFT INTERRED
WITH THEIR BONES"
Thank you in anticipation
Ranjith Soysa
WAPS Spokesperson
President - Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka,
Vic
President - Sri Lanka United National Association (SLUNA) of Canada
President - Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights of Sri Lanka (SPUR),NSW
President - Western Australian Society for Peace Unity and Rehabilitation,
(WASPUR) in Sri Lanka
President - Sri Lankans Against Terrorism- NSW
President - Sinhala Cultural and Community Services F. Vic
President - Apey Shakthi- New Zealand
President - Canadian Association for United Sri Lanka-Canada
President - Sri Lankan United National Association-Canada
President - Sinhala Centre- U.K
President - The International Campaign for the Liberation of the Sinhala
Nation- U.K
President - Sinhala Association of Sri Lankans in the U.K
President - New York Society of United Sri Lankans-U.S.A
President - United Sinhalese Association in Italy- Rome.
President - Pacific Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka, Vic (National Office),
Australia
President - Alliance Against Tamil Domination, UK
President - Veera Parakramabahu Foundation (VPF), NSW, Australia
President - First Society of Sri Lankan Professors in American Universities
President - First Society of Sri Lankan Professionals in Japan
President - Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights of Sri Lanka (SPUR),
UK
President - FOSUS - FRIENDS OF SRI LANKA in US
President - New Zealand Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in
Sri Lanka-SPURNZ
President - New York Society of United Sri Lankans and Consortium of
Sri Lanka Expatriates
President - Swarana Hansa Padanama, Sri Lanka
President - SRI LANKAN PATRIOTS, Los Angeles, California
|
