Agence France Presse

Colombo, May 27:

European truce monitors in Sri Lanka have warned that the “air assets” of Tamil Tiger rebels could re-ignite war on the island and destabilise security in South Asia. The Norwegian-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said Tigers possess an airstrip in the island’s north but warned any move by government forces to bomb it could lead to the resumption of war. “We have seen the air strip from the air while flying in a Sri Lankan military helicopter,” Monitoring Mission chief Hagrup Haukland told the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Sri Lanka last

night. He said his mission, which monitors a truce that started on February 23, 2002, had been denied access by the rebels to verify government charges that they possess at least two light aircraft. Haukland said an air capability would “mean a hell of a lot” to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He warned that “it not only destabilises Sri Lanka’s security but India’s security as well”.

“If the Tigers fly, it will be a violation of Sri Lankan airspace and also of international law because the air space is a matter only for the Sri Lankan government,” he said. “If the (government) air force bombs the air strip, then it will be war. If bombs fall, we pull out.”

He said the 60-member Scandinavian truce monitoring team had repeatedly asked the Tigers to allow them access to the island’s northern Iranamadu area, where the air strip is located. “We have asked for access and we have been denied,” he said. “That alone is a ceasefire violation.” He added he was still hopeful the guerrillas would eventually allow in the monitors, who have no executive powers to enforce the ceasefire and rely on the goodwill of both parties.

India warned earlier this month the Tigers were acquiring aircraft. “We are concerned about the LTTE having built an airstrip and having two aeroplanes, and there’s news about more coming,” India’s Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said. Sri Lanka and Norway have ensured New Delhi is kept fully informed in the peace process. Haukland said although peace talks had broken down in April 2003, he believed neither party was likely to withdraw from the truce soon. “The no-war, no-peace situation can last for a year, two or longer,” Haukland said. “There have been ceasefire agreements that went on for longer without peace talks.”