Pranab rushing to Lanka, says no sympathies for LTTE

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) As he prepared to visit Sri
Lanka, India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee
Tuesday made it clear that India has no sympathy for LTTE but
said that civilian Tamils have to be prevented from becoming
victims of the conflict in the island nation.

"We are for fight against terrorists and all sorts of
terrorism. Therefore, we have no sympathy for any terrorist
activity indulged in by any organisation, particularly LTTE
(which) is a banned organisation in India," he told reporters.

He made the remarks hours before his departure to Sri
Lanka, where the government has claimed to have captured
Mullaithivu, the last bastion of LTTE.

At the same time, Mukherjee said India is concerned over
the plight of civilians and "we shall have to see how
civilians can be protected and they do not become hapless
victims of the situation."

He said he is going to discuss these issues with
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other Sri Lankan leaders. He
will also meet Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during his
two-day visit beginning Tuesday.

He is expected to impress upon the Rajapaksa government
the need for looking for a political settlement to the ethnic
problem to ensure aspirations of all communities, including
ethnic Tamils, are taken care of within a united Sri Lanka.

India believes that military victory is no solution to
the problems afflicting Sri Lanka.

Mukherjee is also expected to press for early
implementation of the devolution package which is aimed at
ensuring equal rights and privileges to all sections of the
society.

Mukherjee's visit is taking place in the backdrop of
repeated demands by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi
and some other political parties of the state that India
should send the External Affairs Minister to Sri Lanka to stop
the army offensive.

Mukherjee recalled that Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a
resolution some time back and a delegation of Tamil political
parties had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

They had "suggested that India should look into the sad
plight of civilian Tamils who have been victims of fight
between LTTE and Sri Lankan armed forces," Mukherjee said.

At that point of time, the Prime Minister had said that
he may send the External Affairs Minister to have discussions
with authorities of Sri Lanka.

The External Affairs Minister said subsequently he had
held telephonic discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart
several times to discuss the situation.

Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon also travelled to
Colombo earlier this month after which it was decided that
Mukherjee will visit the island nation for more discussions.

"I will go to Sri Lanka and have a discussions with the
President and other authorities there and to see what best
could be done in this situation," Mukherjee said. PTI