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ShareMumbai: Shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the US, counterterrorism expert Frank J Cilluffo was appointed to the White House where he served as Special Assistant to the President for homeland security. Currently, he is director of the Homeland Security Policy Institute at George Washington University, Washington DC. Excerpts from an interview:
How was the war won?
Military means ultimately brought an end to the war. But the more important question is whether the administration will win the peace; otherwise its military success may result in nothing more than a Pyrrhic victory. The government's military strategy worked because the Tigers suffered major setbacks on the battlefield and were confined to less and less land from which to operate or find safe haven.Maneuverability is everything; without it, they were forced to surrender.
Did China play a role?
Yes. The Sri Lankan government's decision to enhance relations with China was a key factor. Sri Lanka gave China access to its ports and in exchange, China supplied weapons, funds, and political support. Until this month, China staved off criticism of Sri Lanka from the UN Security Council by repeatedly blocking attempts by the US, UK, France and others to raise the issue and pass a resolution. It's not for nothing that, in 2008, China supplied more than $1 billion worth of aid to Sri Lanka.
Is this the definitive end of the LTTE?
LTTE doesn't have the resources or leadership necessary to make a significant comeback in the short run. Prabhakaran's death and that of his heir-apparent (son) as well as the Tigers' senior leadership, leaves surviving elements with little to rally around. Keep in mind that the LTTE anchored its command and control system in a charismatic leader.Its structure was highly hierarchical, rigid, and discipline was ruthlessly enforced. So while the LTTE may live to see another day, it's now merely a shadow of its former self. The same is true in other cases with strong and charismatic leaders -- think Sendero Luminoso [Peru's Shining Path], or the PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party in Turkey] -- cutting off the head of the group is debilitating but not necessarily fatal. With residual LTTE supporters overseas, for instance, we could still see smaller scale incidents, if for no other reason than to demonstrate that a capacity still exists. Even if only vestiges remain, the LTTE should not be underestimated.
Is a political solution likely?
Political solutions and reconciliation are the way forward. The Sri Lankan government needs to address the underlying grievances of the Tamil community and work to eliminate racial discrimination.
The LTTE managed to manipulate these grievances for its own purposes, and cow other Tamil organisations into submission. Now the government needs to empower Tamil politicians who were pushed out in the past, as well as give more than lip service to human rights. Winning the peace will be harder, and likely require more strength than winning the war.
