Army might 'wait and see'

The Army has NOT launched the hostage rescue mission as some sources have indicated. It is clearing the periphery of the NFZ but have not yet ventured into the NFZ with the purpose of rescuing civilians. Instead, the Army has adopted a 'wait and see' approach as pressure mounts on both sides, particularly the LTTE.

The United States and a few other countries in the International Community have put pressure on the government to call for a 7-day Cease-Fire, which the government has refused. The government has told the United States that if it gives its assurance that the civilians will be removed by the LTTE due to diplomatic pressure, the Army will declare a temporary cease-fire for 48 hours.

The United States, sources indicated has got in touch with a third party to put pressure on the LTTE. India has also made some statements in this connection but the exact weighting on Indian statements is uncertain.

Government is willing to listen to the United States given its unbridled support for anti-terror offensives. Unconfirmed sources indicated that an official written guarantee has also been sought from the USA for a temporary halt to the operations.

The Sri Lanka Army confirmed that it will bow its head to international norms, particularly given the nature of its humanitarian objective, but will not surrender its aim of completely annihilating the remaining LTTE leadership at any cost. They are also willing to allow diplomacy one last chance provided that the LTTE releases the civilians. If not, the Army will take matters to its own hand.

Other unconfirmed sources indicated that the Tiger leadership was negotiating with Norway and a few other EU countries to exchange the lives of the civilians for its leadership. The Tamil Tiger leadership, these sources claimed, was attempting to flee its inevitable end at the hands of the Army by bargaining with the lives of the civilians.