Repeated Terror Attacks: Reminder of Political System Failure

After a second blast within four months at Delhi High Court's gate in the national capital, the efficiency, alertness, and vigil of the Delhi police have come under question. The earlier blast had taken place near gate number seven. Nobody was killed or injured in it. But this time, the high intensity blast near gate number five where entry passes are issued, proved to be fatal for dozens of people. The fact is that there can neither be an actual estimation of the loss caused by this kind of blast due to security lapse, nor could it be compensated. Still, we cannot avoid questions that blast raises.
Self-Destructive for Entire Country
The link to this incident may also be established with some kind of domestic or international terrorism in the coming days, but is it a mere coincidence that when it is time to take the culprits of terrorist acts which directly challenged the sovereignty and power of the country to their logical end, politics is being played on the issue that is self-destructive for the entire country? Is the weak political leadership of the country responsible for these conditions? The country's domestic policy is already a victim of delusion, but who are they trying to harm by bringing the foreign policy also under its influence, knowingly or unknowingly? With which country among our neighbors -- Pakistan, China, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, are our policies in normal condition? Is all this not becoming the reason for deteriorating situations that are giving a challenge to the domestic front?
The present home minister and external affairs minister could agree that in Bangladesh's context, the consent or discord of any of our states does not have any impact on the foreign policy, but could we ignore Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat in Pakistan's context, or Tamil Nadu with regard to Sri Lanka? These double standards and insistence is not allowing our national political leadership to become strong.
Lesson From Past Experiences
The regret is also that we do not seem to be learning a lesson from our past experiences. Then, why do we expect this kind of lesson from Delhi police, which is nurtured on the game of politics at the center? But there is no hesitation in saying that the blast that took place at the gate of High Court situated within the circle of Delhi's political heart could have perhaps been prevented, had the police learned any lesson from the "big rehearsal of bomb blast" carried out by terrorists in the parking lot of gate number seven of High Court on 25 May. It is unfortunate that the incident was forgotten saying that the bomb was planted to target a particular person.
Police have their limitations in any political system. Our police force is not like London or Scotland Yard police, neither in skills, nor from the viewpoint of resources. Parliament is in session. The entire Delhi remains on "high alert" during this period. Then, how could this blast take place just a few kilometers from the Parliament House? But it would not be right to call it mere carelessness of police or security agencies. In fact, it is a failure of our politically-administered system.

Bangladesh Rejects Indian Proposal for Exporting Natural Gas

Bangladesh has turned down an Indian proposal for exporting natural gas to that country. Indian Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde placed the proposal on 15 September 2011 during his visit to Dhaka to join a meeting of the (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) energy ministers. Dhaka did not respond positively to the proposal.
Growing Problems
In this regard, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Enamul Haque said Bangladesh was unable to export gas at this moment because of deficit of the energy in the country. At a news conferee on the evening of 15 September 2011 the state minister said Bangladesh will export gas to foreign countries in future subject to availability of the energy.
It has been learnt that the two countries a meeting discussed 250-MW electricity from India. In this regard, the sate minister electricity from India could be received from India in due course of time as per the commitment of New Delhi. He said the media report published on the complexities regarding construction of joint gridline between Bangladesh and India was not completely right. But he admitted that some problems were created over acquiring lands for the gridline at a number of places in the Indian state of West Bengal. He said that Bangladesh had the similar problem.
At this moment Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said electricity from India could be availed from in India on time. He said the problem created in the West Bengal will not hamper the project. Because, a minor section of the gridline will be required to be built on the India side while rest was in existence from earlier.
SAARC Energy Ministers’ Meeting
Moreover, the two-day meeting of the SAARC energy ministers ended at Rupashi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka on the same day through the concluding ceremony. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the concluding session. Power ministers from five countries and 35 represetatives attended the meeting.
The SAARC member countries at the meeting reached a consensus on singing power deals among the countries. In addition, the meeting adopted a survey on attaining energy security in the South Asia.
Presenting the detailed outcome of the meeting at a news conference in the evening, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources State Minister Mohammad Enamul Haque said the SAARC countries will sing a power exchange agreement within the next year (2012). The meeting decided to elicit opinion on the draft agreement until 31 October 2011.
Regional and Energy Trade Survey
He further said the meeting adopted the SAARC Regional and Energy Trade Survey. The survey recommended guidelines on production and trade in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries. An analysis of the survey shows that the committee of experts has stressed the need for signing a framework agreement for enhancing capacity in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries.
The experts believe such a framework agreement will benefit every member state. They also put emphasis on regional trade and legal compulsion.
Energy Security System
The survey shows the yearly demand for fuel oil by the SAARC member countries is increasing by 5 percent while for gas by 6.34 percent. The per hour demand for electricity the SAARC countries by 2020 will increase to 2920693 KW.
A source with the meeting said the member countries are in a state worry over the present quantity fuel for power generation. And as a result, they put stress on building an energy security system through mutual cooperation.
According to the survey, the Maldives is ahead of all the member countries in the commercial use of energy. The next positions go to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan at the last.
The survey report says the SAARC countries have their peculiarities in the use of energy. But India and Pakistan are dependent on more than one source of energy. The rest countries have unilateral source. The survey stressed the need for diversifying the use of energy in those countries.
The state minister at the press conference said the SAARC countries at the meeting agreed to carryout survey on inter-grid power exchange. Besides, Bangladesh at the meeting placed a proposal for forming a SAARC Energy Regulatory Commission.

Pakistan-Sri Lanka Cooperation

The bilateral ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are extremely great. The bilateral trade does not match the bilateral political relations, despite Free Trade Agreement. The volume of bilateral trade stands at $250 million. Sri Lanka produces the best tea in the world. All the civilians who were killed or injured in the decisive battle were killed or injured by Tamil Tigers themselves. The Army did not use heavy weapons in the final phase to ensure security of the civilians. These views were expressed by Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, Sri Lankan High Commissioner.

Weerakkody said that Pak-Sri Lanka ties were established in 1949. The relations between the two countries have flourished ever since, he added. He further said that we are the dwellers of the same region. We are thankful to Pakistani friends who, with their training and cooperation, helped us successfully face the challenges to the integrity and security of our country.

Strong Defense Sector
Weerakkody further said that the relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are very strong in the defense sector. However, the economic and trade relations are very weak. He told that Pakistan and Sri Lanka had signed Free Trade Agreement in 2005. After this agreement, the volume of trade has, showing a slight increase, risen to $250 million from $180 million.

Weerakkody said that Sri Lanka produces the best tea in the world and this tea is not very costly either. The tea that the Pakistani friends use is of a very low quality. He further said that the prospects of promoting cultural relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are quite wide. The remnants of Taxila and Gandhara civilization in Pakistan are regarded as sacred places of worship by the Sri Lankans. However, because of a lack of awareness the religious tourists of our country turn to India rather than Pakistan.

He further said that the game of cricket is also an important reason of the friendly relations between the two countries. Regarding the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, he said that the Pakistani officials keep giving them informal information on the investigations being carried out into the incident. He said that the concerned Sri Lankan authorities have not been included in the investigations into the attack on the Sri Lankan team.

Literacy Issue
As far as 96 percent literacy rate achieved by Sri Lanka is concerned, Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody said that ever since its independence in 1948, Sri Lanka has pursued the policy of providing free education in order to spread education. During President Bandranaike era in 1956, Education Minister Dr. C C W Khanana took revolutionary steps. Education was made compulsory and free up to the university level. The students were provided free books and uniforms up to the secondary level. All the following governments pursued the same policy.

Weerakkody said that Sri Lankan population is around 20 million. Currently, there are some 175,000 teachers at Sri Lankan schools and colleges, leaving aside the teachers at private institutions.

Launching Separatist Movement
Commenting on the separatist movement launched by Tamil Tigers, Weerakkody said that Tamils are 2 million out of a total population of 20 million; while, in India and other parts of the world, the Tamils number 20 million. This population supports the separatist movement launched by the Sri Lankan Tamils. India also played mediatory role with a view to end this dispute. As a result, the Sri Lankan Tamil language was declared to be the official language of Sri Lanka. The Tigers are running a movement for the establishment of a separate country. It is because of their stubbornness that Indian mediation has been ineffectual.

Sri Lanka is a small island and partitioning this small island was not acceptable at any cost. In order to crush, this separatist movement, we had no option but to fight a decisive battle. Weerakkody added that the Tamil Tigers have started to use civilians as human shield to in the last phase of the war, and the Western world, because of its unawareness, has made the Sri Lankan Government butt of criticism.

Tamil Terrorism vs Terrorism in Pakistan
In response to a question about the comparison between the Tamil terrorism and the terrorism in Pakistan, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner said that although the terrorist attacks are common between the two, both have different objectives. Tamil Tigers were separatists while here attempts are being made to give religious explanations of terrorism in order to gain power. It is something that is a controversial issue among the ulema themselves.

In the end, it can be said that Sri Lanka is paying attention to rehabilitation of the affected Tamil population and reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure. It is the major problem facing Sri Lanka at this hour.

Impact of LTTE Re-emergence on Sri Lankan Government

The Sri Lankan Government proudly claims that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been vanquished. However, it is still plagued with the fear whether the rebel movement would rear its head once again.

The president of the Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore had recently warned that Sri Lanka might face the threat from the LTTE again. He said:"LTTE members active in different countries continue to operate in unison. If the Sri Lankan Government fails to control their activities in collaboration with the international community, the impending threat to Sri Lanka is inevitable."

Meanwhile, defense spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella too had recently stated that the Government could not be certain whether the LTTE has been rooted out, never to reemerge.

In the mid of all these, an alarming statement relating to the LTTE was released recently. The statement read "the dispute that prevailed among the members of the LTTE has now been sorted out and a common front has been formed."

Confrontation with Security Forces
LTTE leader Prabhakaran was killed in a confrontation with the security forces when he attempted to escape via the northern part of Nandikadal during the final phase of the military operation at Mullivaikal. The Armed Forces, who recovered his body, had burned it later. However, the LTTE offices overseas continued to claim that Prabhakaran was not killed and he was still alive. The overseas operational offices of the LTTE were under the control of Manivannan alias Castro, one of the key cadres of the rebels.

Meanwhile, Selvarajah Pathmanathan alias K.P., who was appointed director of the LTTE Foreign Secretariat, announced on May 22 that Prabhakaran was not alive. This announcement led the overseas activists to a state of confusion and there were two different views put forth by these groups about the death of Prabhakaran.

The two groups were disputing with each other through their statements reported in newspapers and websites.

Role of Tamil Diaspora
At some stage one of the two groups described K.P. as a traitor, but it has to be stated that he was the only high ranking LTTE member who had been in touch with the LTTE leader until his final moments.

This led to the inability to confirm the death of Prabhakaran while the statements released relating to his death could not be verified either.

As a result of this, the Tamil diaspora was not able to carry forward their struggle. The various efforts were made to amicably settle the disputing stances adopted by these two groups, it is learned.

A statement was released by Suresh (Amuthan) and Ram at the LTTE Foreign Secretariat last week, on behalf of their executive committee.

It needs to be reminded here that Ram, who had been the commanding officer of the LTTE in Amparai District, had fled the island to reach foreign countries recently along with Dayamohan.

The statement released by Ram read that Selarajah Pathmanathan alias K.P. would formulate the next course of action of the LTTE and that a new secretariat has also been established. According to the statement, several new divisions have been established in the Secretariat.

The news that the LTTE has resumed functioning having opened new divisions may have shocked the Government of Sri Lanka.

Strength of Government
Sri Lanka was glad that the LTTE was divided into two factions abroad at a time when the organization was completely destroyed in the country. Sri Lanka also believed that it had no more headaches.

It is learnt that the two groups now merged together will engage in the anti-Sri Lankan Government activities in unison. The most important question is: How they are planning to pose problems to the Sri Lankan Government? They have categorically stated that they would not wage an armed struggle in future, but wage only a diplomatic struggle. This announcement would definitely be annoying to the Government.

The military strength of the Government is enough to quell any armed uprising. However, it has become difficult for the Government to guess as to how the LTTE would handle its future course of action; politically or diplomatically.

At the same time Government is determine to have K.P. arrested through international intervention. Further it has requested the EU to help eradicate the LTTE. Although the LTTE had suffered a debacle in Sri Lanka the organization it continues its operations overseas.

Pressure on International Community
If the European Union (EU) does not cooperate to eliminate the overseas network of the LTTE the situation might take a critical turn. Ravinath Ariyasighe, Sri Lanka's permanent representative for EU, has called on the EU to exert heavy pressure on Sri Lankan diaspora living in European countries. Similarly, the Government is also involved in propaganda to arrest K.P. through Interpol.

However, recent reports reveal that K.P. still maintains links with foreign nations. At a time when the LTTE had declared that it would continue its struggle diplomatically, another key question before us is how the international community would handle the activities carried out by these LTTE groups.

Even the United States has extended its ban on the LTTE recently. India and the EU too have still not lifted their ban on the outfit. The ban on them in Canada also continues.

Still nobody knows as to whether the LTTE would get involved in activities only in foreign lands or they would be allowed to carryout their political activities in Sri Lanka.

There is no signal to indicate that the Government is prepared to permit the LTTE to get involved in the political activities as it permitted the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna to operate politically despite its involvement in two bloody rebellions in the past.

Obviously, the Government would certainly not permit the LTTE to operate politically because it had a great influence on the Tamil community for the last 30 years. However, only time will tell whether the decision of the Government is correct or not. Another vital factor is, wiping the LTTE out or erasing the image of the organization from the minds of the Tamils is really going to be a tedious task.