Tamil Tigers: surrender or commit suicide - slide show

May 16, 7:11 PMForeign Policy ExaminerAimee Kligman

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AP photo / displaced civilians

It's been twenty five years that the Tamil Tigers have struggled for their independence. And yesterday, for the first time, they were desperate enough to say they would lay down their arms and surrender. There are worrisome signs that a mass suicide might ensue; despite a government order to stop firing in the area where the remainder of the rebels and civilians were trapped, doctors and independent witnesses reported continued heavy shelling by government troops.

A doctor reported that a 'stench of death' hung over the area. According to the UK's timesonline, the doctor in the enclave said yesterday that between 2,000 and 3,000 bodies were lying unburied there, including 100 killed yesterday morning. He added that they would not be able to treat the wounded unless there were a pause in the continued cannon and mortar fire.

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is currently in Jordan attending a G-11 conference, told his audience that his nation had succeeded in crushing terrorism. The military was able to surround the group's remaining fighters, leaving them no opportunity for escape. According to an al-Jazeera report, the Tamils are blowing up whatever weapons they have left.

Any and all reports are difficult to verify as no reporters have been allowed into the region. Similarly, aid workers have also been forbidden from entering the conflict zone. Families that were trapped in makeshift bunkers were unable to get water or food, and according to another eye witness, bodies are lying everywhere, and the survivors are begging the world for help. Where is everyone?

One of the Tamil leaders had apparently made an appeal via satellite phone, confirming that the group would lay down their arms if the United States or Britain could guarantee their safety. The appeal was made since the Tamils do not want to be subjected to government torture, which almost certainly will happen. If their safety cannot be ensured, they will take cyanide pills - that includes not only the fighters, but women and children. The UN has estimated that there are between 30,000 to 80,000 civilians trapped in the enclave.

Vijay Nambiar, the chief of staff of the United Nations secretary-general indicated that the Sri Lankan government is unwilling to accept a surrender. The International Committee of the Red Cross was finally given access to the zone last week, however, the fighting was too intense and one of their staff members was killed on Wednesday. 

Gordon Brown and Barack Obama issued statements in response to the enormity of the violence; Brown hinted that there would be consequences for Sri Lanka if it did not end the killing. As for President Obama, he issued a statement right after the commencement address he delivered at ASU this afternoon, of which excerpts appear below:

'I want to take a few moments at the top to talk about something that, with all the big issues going on, hasn't received much attention, but I think is worth talking about briefly. ………. we have a humanitarian crisis that's taking place in Sri Lanka, and I've been increasingly saddened by the desperate news in recent days. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians are trapped between the warring government forces and the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka with no means of escape, little access to food, water, shelter and medicine. This has led to widespread suffering and the loss of hundreds if not thousands of lives.

Without urgent action, this humanitarian crisis could turn into a catastrophe. Now is the time, I believe, to put aside some of the political issues that are involved and to put the lives of the men and women and children who are innocently caught in the crossfire, to put them first. ….. I urge the Tamil Tigers to lay down their arms and let civilians go. Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable. These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out.

I'm also calling on the Sri Lankan government to take several steps to alleviate this humanitarian crisis. First, the government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone.

Second, the government should give United Nations humanitarian teams access to the civilians who are trapped between the warring parties so that they can receive the immediate assistance necessary to save lives.

Third, the government should also allow the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to nearly 190,000 displaced people within Sri Lanka so that they can receive additional support that they need.

I don't believe that we can delay. Now is the time for all of us to work together to avert further humanitarian suffering. Going forward, Sri Lanka must seek a peace that is secure and lasting, and grounded in respect for all of its citizens. More civilian casualties and inadequate care for those caught in resettlement camps will only make it more difficult to achieve the peace that the people of Sri Lanka deserve.'

In the meantime, the IMF has decided to delay a loan that had been in the pipeline for Sri Lanka. There is also talk about investigations of 'war crimes'. As if these investigations really yield any justice.

For more info:  Are freedom fighters or resistance fighters all terrorists?

Sri Lanka: two decades of fighting and 70,000 deaths later

War Crimes: How effective is the ICC?