Jayalalitha for diplomatic solution

By Our Staff Reporter

THANJAVUR, JUNE 13. The AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, today called for a ``diplomatic and political solution'' to the Sri Lankan crisis that would protect the interests of the Tamils without affecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the island nation.

Addressing a press conference, she said it was the duty of the Indian Government to help the Sri Lankan Government arrive at a solution to the ethnic conflict.

Asked for her reaction to the Czechoslovakian model suggested by the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, she said the Chief Minister was contradicting his own statements every other day. ``He is a victim of confusion'', she said.

On the Indian offer of assistance to Sri Lanka made during the visit of the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, to Colombo, she said: ``We don't know the outcome of the talks.''

Ms. Jayalalitha, however, welcomed the stand taken by the NDA Government at the Centre on Sri Lanka: ``The Central Government has taken the right stand''.

``If we interfere in the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, we will have to encounter such interference in our country. If we ask for a separate Eelam, Pakistanis will ask for separate Kashmir and separatist tendencies will emerge in the north east'', she said.

On allowing a role for the LTTE, she said the AIADMK had declared the LTTE as a terrorist organisation . ``We don't consider LTTE as the sole representative of Tamils in Sri Lanka. I was instrumental in getting the first ban on LTTE'' and also insistent on its continuance.

Referring to bomb blasts in churches, Ms. Jayalalitha said that whoever was responsible should be punished. The acts were condemnable. Both the State and Central Governments should take firm steps to see that such acts did not recur.

With respect to economic liberalisation, she said the AIADMK stand was that the Indian economy should be integrated with the global economy, but not at the cost of domestic industries. ``That was why I objected to the move by the Commerce Minister, Mr.Murasoli Maran, bringing 700-odd items in OGL''. Regarding Union Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan's announcement that telecom employees would get free telephones, she said it was not a healthy trend for the country. The decision would entertain demands from various sections which the Government would not be able to meet.

On the question of nuclear weaponisation, Ms. Jayalalitha said that India could not give up its nuclear programmes until countries like Russia and the United States destroyed their stockpile. She did not consider spending on arms as a wasteful expenditure since it involved the security of the country.

Asked about the performance of BJP Government at the Centre, she said ``there was only non-performance''. Most of the Ministers, except Ms. Mamata Bannerjee and Mr. L. K. Advani, did not meet even the MPs. The BJP Government had done nothing to address the basic needs of the people and contain the price of essential commodities. In a country like India where people below poverty line were many, a social safety net was a must, she said. However, Ms. Jayalalitha said she did not consider the coalition form of the NDA Government as a ``hurdle'' to its performance.

Asked whether AIADMK, which was a partner in the previous coalition Government led by the BJP at the Centre, would favour a coalition Government in the State, Ms. Jayalalitha said ``No''. ``We are categorical in saying that there will not be coalition Government in the State. We will form the Government on our own.'' But coalition Governments at the Centre had come to stay.

She said that the AIADMK would decide on its alliances only at the time of elections. Regarding free supply of electricity to farmers, she said that Mr. M. Karunanidhi introduced the concession in 1991 with the sole intention of putting the successor Government in trouble. But in a country like India, concessions once given could not be withdrawn.

To a question whether the party image suffered erosion after adverse judgements in special courts, she said: ``Why can't you wait till next election and see what the people think''.

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