Press Releases In January 2005

Statement of Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Janata Party President made
In Chennai on January 6, 2005

1. I demand that all the UPA Union Ministers elected from Tamil Nadu resign because of the betrayal of the state by the Centre in the allocation of funds from the PM Relief Fund for the Tsunami affected people. The allocation of Rs.250 crores is horribly inadequate when it is measured against the tragedy. In fact, much less affected states like Kerala and AP have received Rs.100 crores each from the PM Relief Fund. Considering that the Finance Minister is from the state, the disgrace for the state is even more. That the CM had demanded Rs.4800 crores from the Centre, and got a mere Rs.250 crores shows her poor standing in Delhi.

2. In fact, the PM Relief Fund is being used as a private charity of the ruling coalition. The website of the Fund which can be accessed through pib.nic.in only shows revenues but no allocation for Tsunami disaster. According to the official website, the disaster caused no damage because money no allocation has been disbursed---except for TA&DA for visiting teams.

3. The true nature of the LTTE has also been exposed in the wake of the Tsunami disaster. It’s Chief, V.Prabhakaran, has not come out of his underground bunker despite over 10,000 deaths in the Mullaitheevu area alone. The Tamil people of Sri Lanka should now realize that Prabhakaran is a liability and cannot protect them when a general disaster strikes them. When he has to protect himself so how can he save others? He appears to be afraid of the 1500 US marines who have arrived in area for relief work.

4. It is absurd that the LTTE mouthpiece Sudar Oli which is published from Colombo, had claimed that the US marines came to the island without India’s knowledge, and hence the Indian government is angered! Since when LTTE has been authorised to speak for the Indian Government? When I sought a clarification from the government, senior officials of MEA told me that the Sudar Oli report is false, that India is working in close cooperation with the US marine force for relief work. They also said that an official denial would be issued. Now, today the LTTE has stated to AP that US and India are together spying in Sri Lanka! A somersault in 24 hours.

5. Even if India had objected, Sri Lanka is a sovereign nation, and if India does not send troops to help them then that country has a right to invite US troops. After delaying the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka defence pact, India has also lost her moral authority to protest. This pact which should permit two divisions of the Indian army to be stationed in a cantonment in Colombo, should be signed immediately.

6. However, the United States is bound by the Patriot Act not to funnel humanitarian aid either through the LTTE or its front organization like the TRO because the LTTE has been declared a terrorist organization by the US government. Moreover, under a bilateral agreement signed after 9/11, if the US marines sight Prabhakaran or Pottu Aman, they are obliged to arrest them and hand them over to India to face trial here for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. Prabhakaran is a defacto Sinhala stooge and an enemy of India. He is accused no.1 in Rajiv Gandhi’s murder case and declared proclaimed offender. He has an Interpol Red Corner Notice for arresting him.

7. I congratulate the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh for declining international aid for India’s relief work. India is quite capable of looking after it’s victims and should strive to do so. On the contrary, India should be very generous to our neighbours affected by Tsunami. In Sri Lanka, the Indian government should work through India-based organizations such as Proteg and Oferr led by S.C.Chnadrahasan

8. I have asked for State government permission to meet Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal in Vellore prison. I had received a message from him via the VHP leaders [who had seen him] that he would like to meet me. I have known the swamigal from 1977 and was introduced to him by the great Parmacharya. Jayendra swamigal had introduced me to Vijendra swamigal before he was nominated.

9. I demand that the TN CM Ms. Jayalalithaa withdraw this laughable and complete bogus case against the swamijis, and ask the police to close the case by filing a Final Report under the Cr.P.C. She should also do prayaaschitam for acting as a puppet of Ms. Sonia Gandhi by foisting this case at the latter’s direction and blackmail.

(SUBRAMANIAN SWAMY)