Time Magazine’s Anita Pratap interviews V. Prabakaran (April 8, 1990 from Mullaitivu)
Posted on May 9th, 2012
Q: What made you confront India?
A: India claimed to have intervened in Sri Lanka to secure Tamil interests. In actual fact, India came to secure its own interests. There was never any genuine attempt to understand and solve our problems. India deliberately aggravated Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ethnic crisis. It destabilized Sri Lanka [by training and arming Tamil militants, including the Tigers] so that it could play a dominant role in bringing Sri Lanka within its sphere of influence.
What I canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t forgive is the way India claimed to have intervened to protect the Tamils and then launched this war against our people. On the third day after the war started, I sent an appeal to India to stop the attack because of the civilian casualties. But India mistook it as a sign of weakness and pressed ahead with the offensive, thinking they could crush us.
Q: But isnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t it true that India has consistently stood for a united Sri Lanka?
A: India used this excuse to impress the world that it was the protector of Sri Lanka. By adopting this line, India ensured that other powers were excluded from interfering in this region.
Q: You knew India was using the Sri Lankan problem to pursue its interests, but didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t you also use India by taking advantage of Indian training and arms?
A: Yes, we also used India. We were aware of IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s strategy but made use of the opportunity to strengthen ourselves militarily.
Q: What gave you the courage to take on the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s third largest army?
A: India failed to secure the release of twelve of my area commanders who were arrested by the Sri Lankan security forces. [When the captives later swallowed cyanide] their suicides made me determined to confront the Indian army. Some of my top colleagues cautioned me against it and wondered how long the LTTE could hold out. I gave them the Vietnam example – a small nation can fight a superpower with determination and dedication. When I was deciding to fight, the thought of winning or losing didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t bother me. What you have to assess is whether you have the will to fight. People cannot give up their cause, their rights, for fear of defeat.
Q: Is there a lesson in this for India?
A: That however formidable a military power you may be, you cannot impose upon a people anything against their will.
Q: What guerilla technique was most useful to you?
A: We used land mines to great effect. They caused a lot of Indian casualties.
Q: What did you consider were the Indian armyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s main strengths and weaknesses?
A: Their strength – and their weakness – was their huge manpower. It created difficulties for us. It restricted our mobility. But because they came in large numbers, they suffered many casualties. Also, they wasted a lot of time, energy and money on providing logistical support. Another major weakness was that the Indian army was not motivated. The soldiers didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know why they were fighting. They were confused. They came to protect Tamils, and then they had to kill them.
Q: And what in your judgment were the LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s own strengths and weaknesses?
A: Our strength – and our weakness – was our overconfidence. Sometimes our cadres took impossible risks, like ambushing an Indian patrol at a point where there were no escape routes. This cost us casualties. We were sometimes careless. But also because of our overconfidence, our boys carried out some amazingly brave attacks.
Q: The Indians say they fought this was with one hand tied behind their backs because they wanted to minimize civilian casualties.
A: If they could indulge in such atrocities against our people with one hand tied behind their backs, I shudder to imagine what havoc they would have unleashed if both hands had been free. They used every technique – aerial strafing, dropping 250-kg bombs, artillery bombardment, harassment of civilians. These are excuses peddled by a defeated army.
Q: Some 6,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the war with the Indian army. Was it worth it?
A: Yes. We have proved that we will not allow any force to interfere with the freedom and independence of our people.
Q: But what have you gained?
A: I have gained self confidence, courage and the support of my people.
Q: What made you start negotiations with Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa?
A: Our people thought India would give us Tamil Eelam [a separate Tamil state]. Instead India [reached an agreement] against our will. So we thought it would be better to talk to the Sri Lankan government and work out a better deal. Besides LTTE will not allow a foreign force to intervene and dominate our people. Premadasa articulated the same viewpoint. He was determined to end the foreign intervention.
Q: Now that the Indian army has gone, many fear that confrontation with the Sri Lankan government – your historical enemy – is again inevitable.
A: We have had a long history of state oppression against our people. Earlier, the Tamils negotiated and were repeatedly betrayed, and so the armed struggle was born. If the Sri Lankan government resorts to state oppression against the Tamils and Muslims, then we will fight. But we hope the current peace will continue.
Q: How sincere do you think Premadasa is about solving the problems of the Tamils?
A: We started the negotiations on the basis of trust. We have that trust.
Q: How serious is the LTTE about participating in the provincial council elections?
A: We are very serious. We want to show India and the world that we are the authentic representatives of the people.
Q: Have you given up the demand for an independent Eelam?
A: We have not.
Q: Then what are you talking to Premadasa for? How can you enter the democratic mainstream if you still cling to your separatist cause?
A: We are entering the political mainstream. Our demand for self-determination will not be an impediment for us to enter the political process.
Q: Many people feel that your peace talks with Premadasa are only a tactical move.
A: We have not cheated or betrayed anybody. At the same time, if we are cheated or betrayed, we will react. But if somebody trusts us, then we will reciprocate.
May 9th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
Prabhakaran was no fool. Our leaders have not still understood India. If it was Prabhakaran he would have removed the 13A without fear, and killed the TNA MPS.
May 9th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
I think TNA doing exactly what Prabakaran wanted to do. Get into political mainstream, ie provincial council N&E with Police and land powers and then create an Elam.
Q: Have you given up the demand for an independent Eelam?
A: We have not.
Q: Then what are you talking to Premadasa for? How can you enter the democratic mainstream if you still cling to your separatist cause?
A: We are entering the political mainstream. Our demand for self-determination will not be an impediment for us to enter the political process.
May 9th, 2012 at 7:52 pm
LTTE started killing Sinhala politicians after March 1991. That is 16 years after its first victim. Just 2 months later Gandhi was killed.
Both these were monumental mistakes that led to the total annihilation of the LTTE.
However the poor devil still had the brains to see India as an enemy. President Premadasa was also astute enough to see this. Though more educated, the current leadership has been very naive in its dealings with India. Indian high commission offices are opened throughout the country. Repeated assurances are given to India to implement the 13A in its entirety and even to go beyond it. Such nativity was not seen in any previous government.
A symbolic Chinese military presence in the north can deter India. Sooner or later the government will have to do it. The sooner it is done, the better. Indo Lanka Peace Accord has to be abrogated thereafter. 13A can be repealed only after this is done.
May 9th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Dilrook,
I agree Chinese presense and military exercises should be considered very very seriously. Now the terrorists have emerged again with threats. What is MR doing about it ? Give 13 ++++ ?
May 10th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
We also have to ascertain the present situation. Chinese influence & strength in the North will be a definte advantage. Our sovereign nation & its leaders have enough strength in the Parliament to enact and pass a bill as it has the required 2/3 majority.
Looking back at India & Nehru (the then prime minister), assured & introduced a law banning any state of the union from separating from Union of India, or even mentioning words to that effect.
That is why TN is not asking Elam from India but wants to carve out a territory from Sri lanka. WHY IS that sri lanka always re-act rather than being PRO – active.
A law should be introduced to ban any form of seperatism, parties that have notion or words related to seperatism must be banned. They should be charged as traitirs & their citizenships taken away.
These are methods adopted by Canada, in the hay day of separatism in Canada when, the French speaking population & province was encouraging that province to go it alone. With nearly 40 % of the total population, then Canadian Govt: did not budge, but worked with other provinces to form a UNITED stand against seperation & dvision of Canada.
We have enough examples how other countries reacted & we need not be afraid of the so callaed Int: Community, because it is India that represent the so called Int. Community.
YES! by all means get Chinese help BUT first lets do what is immediate & which can be done without much effort or publicity.
Pass laws to punish who asks for sepration & divsion as an ANTI – Lanka act. They can never be allowed to live in Sri lanka.
Such strict laws will help us to nip in the bud, another LTTE or any other group assisted by India creating chaos in our Motherland.
Thank you all ……Just expressing my views about a United Lanka, under one leader, one flag………~ gamunu
May 10th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
What ANITA PRATAP didn’t know: Prabhakeran had a grandeur plan that was funded by Erick Soldhiem to pump water from PARAKRAMA SAMUDRAYA to the arid areas of TAMIL NADU. So that Tamil Nadu will not have any water disputes with KARANATHKA. NORWAY had already laid the planes for the SEA BED ROUTE and LAND ROUTE that will take the pipe line from SRI LANKA TO TAMIL NADU. In return NORWAY WILL HAVE SOLE rights to drill for CRUDE OIL all around Northern, North Westen and Earstern, in shore and off show oil fields. PRAMADASE has given a DEED signed by him to Prabhrakeran that he will REMOVE ALL MILITARY BASES from the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Some one has a copy of this deed that PRAMADASE gave to Prabhrakeran, also Erick Soldhiem has a copy Signed by PRAMADASE with the PRESIDENTIAL SEAL. ALL THE COPIES HAVE THE PRESIDENTIAL SEALS.
May 11th, 2012 at 5:59 am
The interview was made 3 years after the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord and 1 year before the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. Though LTTE became the culprits the question of whether it was sub-contracted remains unanswered. Who else would have wanted Rajiv Gandhi bumped off and paid the LTTE to do it?
The deeper understanding of this interview is that India is never to be trusted – by the Tamils especially and if Prabakaran never trusted India…the present day Tamils shouldnt either.
If the Indo-Lanka was forced upon us we need to take a decision to remove it. We cannot afford to delay taking that decision.