EU Declaration on LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists - 26 September 2005
Press Release : Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union condemning the actions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) - The European Union hereby declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka. The European Union repeats its condemnation of the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and of so many others in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. The European Union is actively considering the formal Listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the European Union has agreed that with immediate effect, delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States until further notice. The European Union has also agreed that each Member State will, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters. The European Union furthermore repeats its serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldier cadres by the LTTE and reminds them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue. The European Union takes this opportunity to underline the Statement of 19 September by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference calling on the LTTE not least to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. The European Union calls upon all parties in Sri Lanka to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process during the coming period of elections and to refrain from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of the conflict (Full Press Release in EU Website)
Press Release : SPUR Welcomes the European Union’s 26th September Declaration on Sri Lanka - The Society for Peace Unity and Human Rights (SPUR) today released a letter to the international media in Melbourne, welcoming the EU’s declaration on Sri Lanka made in Brussels on 26 September 2005. Referring to a letter forwarded to the Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU commissioner for External Affairs, the President of SPUR Dr D Jayasuriya said that SPUR has for many years campaigned internationally for a ‘carrot’ and ‘stick’ approach to curbing the excesses of the LTTE terrorists. Dr Jayasuriya, pointing to the EU’s model for the accessioning process for Turkey’s admission to the EU as one such ‘carrot and stick’ example, detailed how tangible democratic reform was sought from Turkey before even considering its application for EU membership. As the EU’s Commissioner for External Affairs, Dr Jayasuriya urged Ms Waldner to provide the necessary leadership to formally list the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. Dr Jayasuriya went on to say “We have come to know today that Imad Yarkas or Abu Dahdah, the alleged leader of Al Qaeda in Spain has been sentenced to 27 years in prison: 11 years for leading a terrorist organisation and 15 years for conspiring against the State. Whilst a leading member of the EU takes such decisive action against Yarkas, Anton Balasingham, a close associate of Tiger Terrorist leader Prabakaran, himself a wanted man by Interpol, freely carries out his conniving acts operating without any restrictions from London. Such contradictions confuse the law-abiding citizens of Sri Lanka forcing them to question the sincerity of the EU and provide free fodder for Marxist extremist to spread anti Western and anti colonial rhetoric”. Dr Jayasuriya went on to say that “we further request the EU to consider conveying to the LTTE terrorist in clear, unambiguous wording that any attempts on the lives of either Hon. Douglas Devananda (the leader of the EPDP) or former MP Hon V Anandasangaree (the leader of the TULF) both Tamil gentlemen, and the Presidential candidates Hon Mahinda Rajapaksha and Ranil Wickramesingha will not be tolerated and any attempts on their lives will invite hitherto unprecedented action against the LTTE” (Full Media Release in SPUR).
"EU
Statement - An Impediment to Peace Process" – IFT
TamilNet, Sri Lanka -
... urged the member states of the European Union
to refrain from taking any "punitive action" against the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) noting that the ...
EU
slams Sri Lanka rebels
Japan Today, Japan -
... announced it was "actively
considering" listing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a
terrorist organization and said that no LTTE delegations will be ...
"LTTE
no longer welcome in EU member states"
Siber News Media, NY -
Condemning what it referred to as the “continuing use of
violence and terrorism by the LTTE,” the EU said it wanted the
Tigers “ to take immediate public ...
EU
threatens to ban LTTE as terrorist group
Newindpress, India -
COLOMBO: Threatening to list the LTTE as a
terrorist organisation, the European Union on Tuesday said its member
states will no longer receive the rebel ...
EU
bans Tamil Tigers over murder
BBC Bengali, United Kingdom -
... The statement said the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were endangering the peace process, as well as
damaging their own credibility and standing. ...
EU
bans Tamil Tigers over murder
BBC News, UK -
... The statement said the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were endangering the peace process, as well as
damaging their own credibility and standing. ...
EU
threatens to ban LTTE as terrorist group
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran -
Threatening to list the LTTE as a terrorist
organization, the European Union today said its member states will no
longer receive the rebel delegations because ...
EU
threatens to label LTTE as terrorist group
Rediff, India -
In a sternly-worded statement, the EU condemned the LTTE
for its 'continuing use of violence and terrorism', recruitment of
children as soldiers and the recent ...
Sri
Lanka: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European ...
ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland -
... 2005 - The European Union hereby declares its
condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). ...
EU
Condemns Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers for Violence and Terror
CRI, China -
"The European Union is actively considering the
formal listing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a
terrorist organization," a statement issued ...
EU
threatens to list LTTE as terror group
Mid-Day Mumbai, India -
Colombo: Threatening to list the LTTE as a
terrorist organisation, the European Union today said its member states
will no longer receive the rebel delegations ...
EU
threatens to ban LTTE
Chennai Online, India -
Colombo, Sept 27: Threatening to list the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation, the
European Union today said its member states ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
Reuters India, India -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
EU
threatens to ban Lanka Tigers
Times of Oman, Oman -
European diplomats here said that members, while mulling a
full-fledged ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),
had agreed to take several other ...
EU
threatens to ban LTTE as terrorist group
Sify, India -
Colombo: Threatening to list the LTTE as a
terrorist organisation, the European Union on Tuesday said its member
states would no longer receive the rebel ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
NewKerala.com, India -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
NewKerala.com, India -
Colombo: The European Union (EU) today said it is actively
considering formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation
as it imposed travel restrictions ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
Reuters -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
Malaysia Star, Malaysia -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
LTTE
deny they are terrorists following EU rebuff
Malayala Manorama, India -
Colombo: A representative of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger
rebels on Tuesday defended the organisation against charges of terrorism,
a day after the European Union ...
EU
condemns Sri Lanka Tamil Tigers for violence and terror
People's Daily Online, China -
"The European Union is actively considering the
formal listing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a ...
However, the LTTE has denied the accusation.
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
Webindia123, India -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
EU
wants to include Sri Lanka's LTTE in terrorist list
Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran -
The European Union is considering seriously to include the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist
organization. ...
EU
bars visits by Sri Lanka Tiger rebels
Reuters AlertNet, UK -
... The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
have strongly denied involvement in the slaying of Foreign Minister
Lakshman Kadirgamar, but analysts have ...
UK:
SRI LANKA: EU DECLARATION
noticias.info, Spain -
... noticias.info/ The European Union hereby
declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism
by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE ...
Sri
Lanka aims to make music, not war
Channel News Asia, Singapore -
... two decades of ethnic conflict between the
Sinnalese government and the Tamil militant group known as the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Sri Lanka is ...
SRI
LANKA: EU DECLARATION
Harold Doan and Associates (press
release), CA -
The European Union hereby declares its condemnation of the
continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE). ...
European Union clamps down hard on Terrorist - The European Union is seriously considering naming the LTTE as a terrorist organization, the EU announced on Monday. Until a decision is taken the EU has agreed to ban with immediate effect LTTE delegations visiting EU member countries. "The European Union has also agreed that each Member State will, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda of the LTTE, its related organizations and known individual supporters," the EU said in a statement issued today. The EU has been under pressure from Sri Lanka and concerned states and organizations to ban the LTTE in its member-states, particularly after the Tamil Tigers were suspected of involvement in the assassination of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on August 12. Despite attempts by Norway and some other Nordic countries to soft pedal any action by the organisation, Britain, now holding the EU presidency, has been increasingly taking a more active role in having the LTTE listed by the organization as a terrorist organization. The statement today is seen as a victory for those who campaigned to have sanctions imposed on the LTTE and the strong stand taken by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. In perhaps the strongest statement issued by the EU in recent times, the organisation said it "hereby declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka." (Full report in Asian Tribune).
*
Sri Lanka: EU Declaration of 26 September 2005
Colombo Page, Sri Lanka -
The European Union hereby declares its condemnation of the
continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE). ...
Sri Lanka: EU Declaration - The European Union hereby declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE’s standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka. The European Union repeats its condemnation of the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and of so many others in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. The European Union is actively considering the formal Listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the European Union has agreed that with immediate effect, delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States Until further notice. The European Union has also agreed that each Member State will, where necessary, take additional rational measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters. The European Union furthermore repeats its serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldier cadres by the LTTE and reminds them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue. The European Union takes this opportunity to underline the Statement of 19 September by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference calling on the LTTE not least to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. The European Union calls upon all parties in Sri Lanka to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process during the coming period of elections and to refrain from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of the conflict (Full report in Island).
EU slams door on LTTE, warns of total ban - The 25-nation European Union yesterday cracked down on the LTTE and announced that no Tiger delegation would be entertained in any EU country with immediate effect while the powerful organization was also considering a ban on the Tigers as a terrorist movement. In a hard-hitting statement in the aftermath of what it called the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, the EU said members would, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE. Re-echoing the statement issued by the Sri Lanka co-chairs last week, the EU called on the LTTE to take immediate public steps to demonstrate its commitment to the peace process and willingness to change. The EU statement said: “The EU hereby declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka. “The EU repeats its condemnation of the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and of so many others in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. “The EU is actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the European Union has agreed that with immediate effect, delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States until further notice. “The EU has also agreed that each Member State will, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters. “The EU furthermore repeats its serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldier cadres by the LTIE and reminds them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue (Full report in Daily Mirror).
Norwegians fail to influence decisions *Kadir assassination condemned *More international sanctions in store - EU imposes immediate travel ban on LTTE - International pressure is mounting on the LTTE after last month’s assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. On Monday the European Union, despite tremendous opposition from the Norwegians, imposed an immediate travel ban on the LTTE and declared that delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the member states until further notice. It is also actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organization. With the United Kingdom holding the Presidency and with its pro-active role and initiative the European Union condemned the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the LTTE and said "the pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only served to damage the LTTE’s standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the Peace Process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka." The EU declaration also repeated its condemnation of the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and of so many others in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. The European Union also agreed that each Member State would, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE, its related organizations and known individual supporters. It aslo repeated its serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldiers by the LTTE and reminded them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue. The EU also underlined the Statement of September 19 by the Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference calling on the LTTE not least to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. Senior Sri Lankan officials described the EU move as a significant step in exerting international pressure on the LTTE. The officials said "There was tremendous pressure from the Norwegians against this move by the European Union. We welcome the EU declaration and it shows there are more things to come. We truly appreciate the EU Declaration" (Full report in Island).
Three cheers to a declaration! - It is a matter for happiness that the EU is beginning to see the LTTE for what it really is. The stern actions it has adopted against the outfit are timely and salutary. The UK deserves praise for having taken the lead in prompting the EU to react, the way it has, to LTTE violence, which is an insurmountable roadblock on the path to peace. The EU decision to actively consider banning the LTTE, suspend receiving LTTE delegations, take measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including fund raising and propaganda of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters) and its condemnation of the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and others are a few steps in the right direction in so far as the taming of the Tigers is concerned. The EU has at last spoken the language that the LTTE understands. The EU Declaration could also be considered a thundering slap on the face of Norway, which, in spite of being a non member state, went all out to dissuade the EU from adopting tough measures against the LTTE. The LTTE must at least now realise that sky is not the limit for its terrorism in a civilised world. Until recently, it had enjoyed hospitality of several EU member states over whose eyes it managed to pull its propaganda wool. Its delegations were received in those countries at ministerial levels and EU diplomats used to pay courtesy calls to LTTE leaders in Kilinochchi. The LTTE has through its naked terror made itself too embarrassing to those democratic nations, who themselves have become victims of the scourge of global terrorism. Which democratic nation, however lenient it may be towards the LTTE, could turn a blind eye to crimes such as the recruitment of child soldiers and the killing of statesmen of Kadir's calibre? (Full Editorial in Island).
EU travel ban on LTTE - Condemning the continuation of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the European Union (EU) on Monday announced an immediate travel ban on the organisation. The ban which is contemplated to be a precursor to an official ban on the LTTE as a terrorist organisation within the EU will prohibit LTTE members from setting foot on any of the EU Member States until further notice. The EU has also agreed that each member State take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters. This will also restrain fund raising and propaganda activities of Tigers in the EU. The UK in its capacity as the President of the EU issued a release announcing the travel ban yesterday. It also said the EU is actively considering the formal listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and reiterated its condemnation of the "shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar." Repeating its serious concern over the recruitment and retention of child soldiers, the EU stressed that there can be "no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice". Observing the LTTE's continuance of violence during the ceasefire agreement, the EU travel ban has underlined the statement by the Co-Chairs at the September 19 meeting in Washington calling upon the LTTE to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. The EU has also cautioned all parties to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process during the Presidential Election while refraining from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution to the conflict. During her recent visit to the UN in New York, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga stressed the need to take action against terrorist groups that continue to engage in violence. During a meeting with EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, President Kumaratunga dwelled on the impact of the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on the future of the process. During several addresses at the UN, the President emphasised that the LTTE was not moving away from terrorism and urged the international community to take stringent action, including sanctions, against such terror groups (Full report in Daily News).
EU condemns LTTE violence - The European Union (EU) declares its condemnation of the continuing use of violence and terrorism by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The pursuit of political goals by such totally unacceptable methods only serves to damage the LTTE's standing and credibility as a negotiating partner and gravely endangers the peace process so much desired by the people of Sri Lanka, a release by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said. The European Union repeats its condemnation of the shocking murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and of so many others in Sri Lanka in recent weeks. The European Union is actively considering the formal Listing of the LTTE as a terrorist organisation. In the meantime, the European Union has agreed that with immediate effect, delegations from the LTTE will no longer be received in any of the EU Member States until further notice. The European Union has also agreed that each Member State will, where necessary, take additional national measures to check and curb illegal or undesirable activities (including issues of funding and propaganda) of the LTTE, its related organisations and known individual supporters. The European Union furthermore repeats its serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child solider cadres by the LTTE and reminds them that there can be no excuse whatsoever for this abhorrent practice to continue. The European Union takes this opportunity to underline the Statement of 19th September by the Co-Chair of the Tokyo Donor Conference calling on the LTTE at least to take immediate public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change. The European Union calls upon all parties in Sri Lanka to show commitment and responsibility towards the peace process during the coming period of elections and to refrain from actions that could endanger a peaceful resolution and political settlement of the conflict (Full report in Daily News).
The EU’s meaningful Declaration - I should first congratulate the EU and the British Presidency for its Declaration of 26th September. I spent almost eight years in Brussels and am aware of the large number of Statements by the Council of Ministers of the EU and the Resolutions of the European Parliament but none has been as forthright as this. The Declaration condemns without reservation the terrorism and the horrendous acts of violence of the LTTE. The ingredients of this Declaration including the statement that no delegation of the LTTE would be received in any of the member States and that the EU is giving serious consideration to listing the LTTE as a Terrorist organization is without doubt the strongest warning yet given to the LTTE from any organization or country. The EU has once again condemned the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar by the LTTE; they have also expressed their serious concern at the continuing recruitment and retention of child soldier cadres and have stated that there can be no excuses for this abhorrent practice. The EU calls upon the LTTE to take “Public steps to demonstrate their commitment to the peace process and their willingness to change” The reference to ‘change’ obviously means that the EU has called upon the LTTE to give up its demand for a separate state and explore a federal arrangement which it agreed to do at Oslo and which is acceptable absolutely to the Tamil people who have made their home in the south who number one third of all Tamil people of this country. The last thing these people wish to see is a partition, for the horrendous genocidal happening in India still haunt us too out here in Sri Lanka. There is no question that the LTTE would fall in line only if the international community sits on them. The warning that the EU is seriously considering ‘Listing’ them should be understood by the LTTE in the context of the fact that many other terrorist organizations have been ‘listed’ for less (Full report in Daily Mirror).