The response from Senator Leahy was to pass the buck to Congressman Scott Garrett of New Jersey. What Congressman Garrett demonstates is the United States' one-sided approach to the conflict, categorically ruling out working with the LTTE. Congressman Garrett fails to recognize the role the Sri Lankan Government has also played in displacement, terror and torture. Rather than point fingers, we ask that both sides put their weapons down and return as many times as is necessary to peaceful negotiations.
The United States government, obsessed with the war on terror, will find every which way to conflate terrorism abroad with terrorism at home. The hardline approach to debasing any organization like the LTTE ultimately sends the message that there will be NO negotiating. And, from the nearly 20 years of war that Sri Lanka has experienced, we know that the continued fighting has not led to any resolution or peace.
President Rajapakse has not demonstrated a serious desire to settle with the LTTE on peaceful terms. Rather, Rajapakse, like President Bush, believes that brute force will get his administration what they need. The LTTE is not backing down as the government steps up its military efforts. And let us not forget who is suffering-- those without weapons.
Furthermore, Congressman Garrett makes the flagrant mistake of assuming all Tamils -- in the US and in Sri Lanka and frankly anywhere --are suspected terrorists. The LTTE does not represent all Tamil people all over the world. The US government, again, in its ignorance, will make costly mistakes.
No doubt there is terrorism happening here in the US and there in Sri Lanka and everywhere. Historically, the State is often the one most priviledged and most likely to carry out the first blows. State-sanctioned terrorism here in the US and there in Sri Lanka, is nothing new. Yet any response to terrorism by the state is deemed unacceptable.
Read below and if it fuels the anger in you as it has in me, send Congressman Garrett a piece of your mind.
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Congressional Records
Proceedings and debate of the 109th congress, Second Session
House of Representatives
December 8, 2006
In my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit our South Asian ally, Sri Lanka. This small island nation has directly suffered both the devastating effects of the 2004 Tsunami and the continuing threat of homegrown terrorism, which has experienced a recent resurgence.
Many years before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Sri Lanka was confronting the grim specter of suicide terrorism. In fact, many of the suicide tactics utilized by terrorists in the Middle East originated with the Tamils. Because of this and because of their ties with other international terrorist groups, the Tamils pose a threat to Americans around the globe as well.
Despite the fact that a cease-fire remains in effect, over the past year, the Liberation Tigers of Tam Eelam (LTTE) have continued to commit acts of violence against the legitimate government of Sri Lanka. The recent spate of violence began in August of last year with the assassination of Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar. In a further attempt to damage the democratic process, the LTTE prevented the Tamil population in the Wanni region from voting in the Presidential election last November. Since the Inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the LTTE has stepped up attacks on unarmed civilians including the use of fragmentation bombs against a bus killing 64 and injuring 80. Additionally, they have carried out assassinations of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army and attacked a convoy of off-duty sailors, killing 94 and injuring many more. In all of these cases, the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers.
The LTTE has cultivated a worldwide network of weapons suppliers. Here in the United States, the FBI was able to apprehend Tamil agents who attempted to purchase surface-to-air missiles in New York and Maryland. Tamil agents have been arrested here for attempting to bribe customs agents and funnel illicit funds through charities. While the Tamils continue their attempts to operate in the United States, federal authorities are vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who are recruiting support for terrorism in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government gives every indication that it is committed to a peaceful settlement to this conflict within their nation's borders. Even after an attempt on the life of Defense Secretary Rajapakse, the President's brother, the government refuses to institute an outright ban on the Tamil Tigers. Norwegian peace negotiators, who had presided over the current cease-fire agreements, continue their efforts to bring the LTTE to the peace table but, unfortunately, Tiger leader Prabhakaran has called for a full resumption of hostilities. The government is ready to except the Tigers as a peaceful political party but not as a purveyor of violence.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful nation filled with hopeful people who wish to live in peace, and I am hopeful that they will soon see a resolution to these dangerous difficulties.
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
Below is the form letter that Dr. Shander received from Scott Garrett.
Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts and views. In keeping with a long-standing traditional courtesy amongst Members of Congress, constituent views from outside of my legislative district are forwarded to the appropriate Representative. The address you have provided is outside of the Fifth Congressional District and I invite you to visit www.house.gov to find your Member of Congress so that you may share your thoughts with that Member.
If you believe you have received this email in error or if you wish to share your thoughts with me as well as your Representative, I ask that you contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-4465.
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
5th District, New Jersey
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