No arms either to Lanka, only humanitarian aid — PM

MDMK leader Vaiko, who has been the most vocal among the Tamil Nadu allies in opposing any intervention in Sri Lanka, said after the meeting that he was“happy and convinced” about the government’s clarification on sending humanitarian aid. But he was not categorical when asked if the government had ruled out the possibility of extending humanitarian assistance.

“All I can say is that nothing that will go against the interests of the Lankan Tamils will be done,” he said.

However, both Vajpayee and Jaswant Singh hinted that the possibility of sending humanitarian aid was not ruled out, though for the moment it had been kept in abeyance. “If they need food, medicines and clothes we may consider,” Vajpayee said. He also said that there was “perfect understanding” between the government and the NDA constituents on the issue and categorically ruled out “sending or selling arms” to Sri Lanka.

Asked about Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s objection that his party was not consulted, the prime minister said that developments had taken place at a rapid pace. “We got the entire picture only after the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar met me yesterday,” he said.

Vajpayee is slated to meet Karunanidhi who will arrive late tonight tomorrow afternoon.

In a further bid to assuage the Tamil Nadu parties, the prime minister promised them at the meeting that they would be kept informed of the developments.

But it would not be easy for the government to take a position in favour of India sending humanitarian assistance if the need arose as the Tamil Nadu parties are against it. Vaiko who had a separate meeting with the prime minister asked: “What do they mean by humanitarian assistance? Over the last five years, more than five lakh Tamils who were uprooted from Jaffna have suffered immensely. We have to first consider the welfare of Tamils.”

These parties feel that humanitarian assistance cannot be rendered without military backup and are wary of the possibility of arms reaching the Jaffna peninsula in the garb of humanitarian aid.