PMK objects to humanitarian aid

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 13. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, a constituent of the ruling NDA, today took strong objection to the Centre offering credit facilities to Sri Lanka and expressed apprehension that this would tilt the balance in favour of the Sinhalese and go against the interests of the Tamils. The party founder, Dr. S. Ramadoss, in a letter to the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, said the Indian offer was not in consonance with the decision taken by the NDA partners. Urging the Centre to reconsider the decision to give humanitarian aid, he said, ``financial and material assistance would indirectly encourage State terrorism against Tamils.'' The Indian offer was no different from the military aid extended to Sri Lanka by Pakistan and Israel.

While appreciating the Centre's ``efforts to find a solution to bring lasting peace in Sri Lanka,'' he said, the PMK was ``slightly upset'' over the offer of $100 million in credit and wheat, rice and sugar on a counter-trade basis.

The Centre should pursue the process of finding a permanent political settlement, honouring the sentiments of the Tamil minority. ``We can provide all assistance when peace is restored and all the citizens of Sri Lanka, including Tamils, are beneficiaries of India's help,'' he said.

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