LTTE’s interest in Peace talks and 2008 U.S. elections

While everyone seems to be engulfed in the NGO party stories let me try to shift the focus to more important things going on in Sri Lanka. After the initial buzz about a new initiative to get talks underway, the government has apparently squashed any such possibility by denying the reports that it had agreed to hold peace talks with the LTTE. Sources say the Sri Lankan government is likely to put down stringent conditions before the talks can be held due to the recent developments in the battle field in its favor. The LTTE however, is likely pursue talk given the heavy loses it has faced in the hands of the Sri Lankan forces. The boundaries have been redrawn for the first time since the ceasefire accord was signed between the LTTE and the government 4 years ago.

Lack of enthusiasm on the government’s part to start peace talks is hardly surprising. The LTTE has a habit returning to the negotiating table when things don’t in their favor. They have repeatedly used peace talks to regroup and rearm as well as to sit out political storms. One of the political situations that didn’t go their way was the reelection of President Bush and his war on terror. And it is entirely possible the latest interest in peace talks may be a tactic of the Tigers to survive until 2008 when hopefully for them a democrat may win the elections in U.S.; the idea being if democrats win the elections, LTTE might be able to reinvigorate the currently smothered image that Tigers are freedom fighters and not terrorists.