At his first press conference in 12 years, Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Tamil Tigers, reiterates his organisation’s core principles: recognition of Sri Lankan Tamils as a distinct nationality; recognition of the North and East as a Tamil homeland; and acceptance of the Tamils’ right to self-determination. Anton Balasingham, the LTTE chief negotiator and theoretician, also fields questions at the press conference.
“The LTTE leader met journalists in a village at Kilinochchi. The venue was a partially open hall with a low wall running on three sides. The hall had been built in a clearing.” Front Line Magazine.
Sources
Prabakaran in First Person, Front Line Magazine, Volume 19 – Issue 09, Apr. 27 – May 10, 2002;
Quotations
“It is our people who put forward this demand for Tamil Eelam. The people gave a mandate to the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) for this as early as 1977. We, therefore, with people’s support, are fighting for Tamil Eelam till now.” Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Tamil Tigers.
[On the LTTE's involvement in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi]: “In response to a question whether he was denying the LTTE’s and his involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Prabakaran said: “This is a tragic incident that took place ten years ago. We don’t want to comment further on it.” Velupillai Prabhakaran, leader of the Tamil Tigers.
“We have told the Government and we have informed the Norwegians that de-proscription is a necessary condition for the commencement of the talks…. We want to be de-proscribed properly. The provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be amended properly so that we can be de-proscribed and accepted as the authentic representative of the Tamil people and so that we will participate in the peace process as representatives of our people with equal status [to that of the Sri Lankan government representatives]. That has been our official position.” Anton Balasingham, LTTE chief negotiator and theoretician.
