Will continue to espouse NorthEast Unity - Pararajasingham
"I will carryout my campaign only on the basis of the LTTE's cardinal principles - find a political solution to the
Tamil national problem based on the acceptance of the fundamental proposals regarding Tamil homeland consisting of North
and East, Tamil Nation, Tamils' right to self-government. If I am forced to deviate from these principles then I will
not hesitate to withdraw my candidacy from the forthcoming elections," said Joseph Pararajasingham speaking to Canadian
Tamil Radio (CTR).
Excepts from the CTR interview follow:
Radio: Are you meeting any difficulties in being able to carry out your election campaign? Pararajasingham: The last
three days of election campaign have been really hectic. From yesterday my campaign has been based mainly on explaining
my own policies.
Radio: There are reports that Karuna loyalists are forcing the candidates to change the campaign policies. Can you tell
us about these reports? Pararajasingham: There were attempts to force me to accept these policy changes. I categorically
told them that I cannot accept those. I told them my political background...I spent 50 years in Thanthai Selva's
camp...In my visits to countries around the world I have always articulated my view that only Liberation Tigers can
represent Tamils in any peace talks. I have told this to the former and current foreign ministers in the Canadian
Government.
I will carryout my campaign only on the basis of the LTTE's cardinal principles - find a political solution to the Tamil
national problem based on the acceptance of the fundamental proposals regarding Tamil homeland consisting of North and
East, Tamil Nation, Tamils' right to self-government. If I am forced to deviate from these principles then I will not
hesitate to withdraw my candidacy from the forthcoming elections.
I also told them that I cannot speak regionalism. I was asked to continue my campaign and that I will receive a response
soon.
Radio: We are told that in the last two, three days Karuna group met with TNA candidates from Batticaloa. Can you tell
us what transpired in the meeting? Pararajasingham: We were asked to campaign on the basis issues related only to
Batticaloa district. I told them even if others agree I cannot agree to this request. I fought for Tamil Nationalism; I
promoted the importance of unification of NorthEast.
Radio: How did the other candidates respond? Did they clearly express their opposition as you have done?
Pararajasingham: I cannot comment much on the positions of others. But they generally agreed to abide by the new
framework in the meeting.
Radio: There are also reports that your stopped from attending the Trinco election meeting. Pararajasingham: I can't say
I was stopped. Since I am the Senior Vice President of TULF, and the president is not standing as a candidate, I have
the responsibility to assist the election campaign in Trincomalee. They did not like that. They said they will give me a
response on this soon.
Radio: Did they come back with a response? Pararajasingham: They have allowed me to continue the campaign on the basis
of my policies. And I will continue to do so until I am told otherwise.
Radio: What can you say about people's support? Pararajasingham: People and other Government officials that I have met
hold the firm view on Tamil Nationalism and a combined North East as the Tamil homeland.
Radio: Is personal safety a concern to you? Pararajasingham: I am not talking against anyone. I am only espousing my
policies. I have been threatened several times by the Sri Lanka Army, SLA officers in my political career. I have always
worked to promote my policies.
Radio: Did you receive any instructions from LTTE leadership from Vanni? Pararajasingham: No.