6 Friday 1st September, 2006 Our freedom and liberties have been reduced in Britain and America – Yvonne Ridley by Shyamalee Murugesu moved from an academic exercise racy but a US puppet in Kabul who America. British people are sick leaders belly dance in front of to a spiritual journey. is jokingly known as a man of of this special friendship which is America delivering Iraq on a enior British journalist Q: How did the Taliban treat Kabul. Hamid Khrzahi has no a one way street in which Tony plate. They closed their eyes and Yvonne Ridley made head- you? power outside of the capital. He is Blair is on his knees to George ears and looked the other way lines when she was captured S A: They treated me with kind- permanently guarded by Bush. Tony Blair has humiliated when Lebanon was bombed. They by Taliban in Afghanistan. At that ness and I treated them with con- Americans, you know, lawlessness Britain and the British people. are a load of self serving gutless time she was a senior war corre- tempt. There is still a fixed idea is back; in the south east the The world is not safe with these individuals who need to get off spondent for the Sunday Express. about the Taliban and a refusal to Taliban is very much in power. twins of Evil. After their inva- their hips from Bushes backside An outspoken critique of the accept that they are anything Now they have got a war. What sions and occupations there are and start getting some respect and Bush and Blair governments on other than a brutal evil regime. they very much wanted unlike in more suicide bombings. I hate dignity back. Hezbollah has put a their propaganda war in Iraq When I came out they treated me the beginning of the war where when George Bush says ‘they in Afghanistan and their stance on spring in the speck of the Arab with respect and courtesy imme- they used B52 bombers. These are the Islamic world, hate our free- world, they have taken on the the Middle East, Yvonne Ridley diately everybody started saying the fighters who thrice humiliated dom and liberty. Our freedom and who converted to Islam is also a fourth largest army in the world oh this is a piece of Stockholm the British army and nobody have liberty have been reduced in and repulsed it. You know I can fearless anti war campaigner. syndrome. learned from history. The prob- Britain and America all the time Currently she is the chief editor almost smell revolution in the air. Q: Can you explain what a lems in Afghanistan are still our telephones are being tapped, e Q: How is it possible with of Islam Channel in Britain .She Stockholm syndrome is? there, women can no longer walk mails scanned, the freedom of the Sunni Shiite divide? was in Sri Lanka last week on a A: Stockholm syndrome is a around safe. What America and speech is gone. Even in Britain A: The divide is very much series of lecture tour organised by bond with the jailor and it usually Britain brought to Afghanistan, I you cannot demonstrate in front promoted by the west and encour- the Centre for Islamic Studies. happens over a long period of have seen it with my own eyes - of the parliament building tradi- aged by the west. In Iraq the Speaking with The Island Ms. time. The name derives from a western pornography culture. The Yvonne Ridley tionally we could march and resistance is made up of Sunnis Ridley mentioned that the Taliban 1973 hostage incident in city of Jalalahbad sells hardcore the laws and rules in Islam from protest. and Shiites. It was never an issue treated her with kindness while Stockholm, Sweden. I wasn’t in porn, the likes of which you don’t day one the women are allowed to Q: There is a growing divide before and you know the Arab she treated them with contempt prison for a long time and I treat- see even in Bangkok or any other inherit, continue with her father’s between the western world and Shiites are making up a lot of the and in fact when she crossed the ed them with contempt. I swore at city. The poppy crops are back. name, trade, etc. In Britain it’s the Muslim world and this border back in to Pakistan she resistance. What is interesting is them, I spat at them, I refused to Afghanistan is now world’s num- only in the last 100 years that keeps continuing. was not too sure who was more the growth of the Iranian backed eat their food, I threw things at ber one heroin producer. women were allowed to own prop- A: The divide is really with the relieved. She also asserted the Shiites. If Bush and Blair do go to them and I went on hunger Q: The western world sees erty and married women were government controlled media, not demise of women’s role in the war with Iran there are 8,000 strikes. In fact I don’t know who Islam as a religion that owned by their husbands. They the people. We no longer have a Muslim world actually coincided British soldiers left in southern was more relieved when I crossed oppresses women. With that had no rights. Unfortunately jour- free press. The western govern- with the introduction of the Iraq that means they are sur- the border back in to Pakistan, kind of publicity how did you nalists are in conflict between cul- ments have gone to war with the British colonialism rounded by 12 million Shiites and them or me. The accusation of get convinced? ture and Islam. There is no such Muslim world. The anti war move- Here are the Excerpts: it would be a massacre. The Stockholm syndrome comes from A: The Quran makes it perfect- thing as forced marriages, child ment all across the world consists Q: From a War correspon- British soldiers know this and journalists and columnists and ly clear that women are equal in brides, honour killings in Islam. of many nationalities. While dent to a practicing Muslim they are fearful. In the anti war observers who fear Islam. They spirituality, work and education. These are cultural issues that British people are sending their what made you change? movement we believe that the don’t understand it and what they At a time when the Christian have come into the Muslim world. sons to Iraq, he is sending his to A: The trigger was my arrest troops should come out. We don’t understand they attack. world was debating this Islam was That is why a huge number of Washington. Politically he is and detention by the Taliban. Q: So this is the propaganda spreading in the Middle East with caused the problem how can we converts to Islam are educated spent and out. The anti war move- Partly also as a fulfilment of a in the mainstream western a clear message. The demise of solve it by remaining there. and professional western women ment slogan is now taken bushes promise I made to the Taliban that media that we see now? women’s role in the Muslim world Iraq was the cradle of civilisa- who see a blue print. I am an go Blair and replaced it with Go I will read the Quran. So when I A: Not all of the western actually coincided with the intro- Islamic feminist contrary to what tion when George Bushes ances- Blair. A massive protest is planned got home I started reading. It was media usually it’s the columnists duction of the British and feminists say about Islam. tors were running around in sack shocking that I knew so little of a on the 23rd of September in who make a living out of writing European colonialism which Q: People are really getting clothes painting there faces these faith that was clearly a way of life. Manchester. bile on other people. encouraged the oppression of tired of US and the British gov- people were then developing read- As a journalist how could I write Q: Do you think the Muslim Q: Do you think the US and women. Furthermore in ernments stand on ing and writing, Now they have authoritatively when there is a leaders are doing enough to put the British governments were Christianity women are demo- Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, been bombed by a man who cant huge gap in my knowledge? I pressure on these govern- able to bring in democracy to nized from day one because you Lebanon .What is your view? even find them on the map. The began reading the Quran and sup- ments. Afghanistan? are told that Eve was the A: Tony Blair has turned president with the lowest IQ ever porting literature and very soon it A: Unfortunately the Arab A: Afghanistan has no democ- temptress who seduced Adam. In Britain in to the 51st state of to sit in the white House.

by Durand Appuhamy the government has, to date, not ver since the new President done anything on the propaganda was elected to office last front and left this vacuum to the ENovember, the LTTE had LTTE to ply their lies everyday all been brazenly baiting him and his The fragile invincibility of the LTTE the year. government to engage them in bat- An all out military campaign is tle to settle the question of sepa- the best course to take. But for a ratism in this country. The small accountable democratic President’s patience only encour- so that it will be reduced to impo- onslaught on Trincomalee. that they have millions of US LTTE trap and dismantling it also country with both internal and aged the LTTE to resort to more tent paralysis of inaction, thereby The readers know what hap- Dollars available to bribe US offi- constitutes a trail blazing the way external constraints and interna- and more cowardly attacks on the allowing the LTTE to pursue their pened to Muslim mosque premises cials and buy an assortment of towards peace by destroying his tional obligations, this may not be security forces inflicting severe objective of Eelam unhindered. at Kurrukupanchan and the other deadly weapons, why is it not possi- cadres and military assets. This the prudent course unless war is loss of lives and damage to military Many have issued dire warnings dozen or so new bunkers built by ble for the saviours of Tamils to strategy has now demolished the thrust on the nation by the LTTE. assets. The last straw was drawn that LTTE was trying to trap the the LTTE during Ranil’s and spend a miniscule amount of it in myth of LTTE’s invincibility and Wide support from the people, when the Army Commander was government in a new cycle of war Chandrika’s abject appeasement the construction of a water distri- their infallibility in planning and based on correct information on targeted in his home turf HQ in by stage managing a series of period. This is the creeping bution system in their gangland? executing campaigns of war and the many difficulties the govern- Colombo. humanitarian crises in the country. Eelamisation these perfidious NGO The guardians of the Tamils are terror. The three pronged attack, ment would face, should be solicit- That was the day when the new These prophets of doom also men and women want in this coun- clearly not interested in the welfare from the west via Killali lagoon, in ed before a military campaign. The President took the plunge to expose admonished the government to try. These peaceniks also wanted of the Tamils. It is also opportune the centre at Muhamali, and in the LTTE have no constraints, no obli- the myths of an un-winnable war, desist from taking any action, but the army to evacuate the High to ask the Co-Chairs whether the east via sea and land in Nagar gations. Pirapakaran will do what the doctrinaire infallibility of the to start talking to the LTTE. They Security Zones (HSZ) in Jaffna and war will not come to a stop if the Kovil by the LTTE to capture Jaffna he wants no matter what others say LTTE and its omnipotent invinci- were appeasers in the garb of the East. What would have hap- LTTE is deprived of this hard cur- in early August was thwarted by or do against him. He will not cease bility. As many of us have argued peaceniks peddling LTTE’s mythi- pened, had the army done this? rency illegally obtained from their the security forces. killing people everywhere in the ad nauseam before, all the above cal invincibility in public. Could the army have fought off the citizens in their countries? Is that A severe defeat was inflicted on country even while the government attributes – attributes bestowed by Imagine what would have hap- recent onslaught of the LTTE with- not an easier way to bring about the LTTE. They have lost nearly 500 is engaged in peace talks. He will his acolyte NGOs in Colombo and pened by now had these appeasers out the HSZ? peace in Sri Lanka? cadres and over 1500 have been definitely declare a ceasefire for elsewhere – of Suriya Thevan have been in charge of government! The The LTTE accused the govern- The government did what it badly wounded. They have also lost talks when he is badly weakened been now exposed as a vast confi- Mavilaru Anicut would have been ment of failure to construct a water ought to do to preserve the security a vast amount of military assets and badly needs to regroup and re- dence trick. Unfortunately there lost to the LTTE, to be used by them distribution project costing Rs. 43 of its people and its sovereignty during the last few weeks. We arm and replenish his depleted are still many in the secretive and on and off, to blackmail the govern- million in the Tamil areas of east and this is allowed even under the remain eternally grateful to our cadres. To this extent peace talks treacherous NGO circuit propagat- ment as well as to chase the non- Mutur. It is here pertinent to ask faulty CFA (1. 3). In fact, if the pre- soldiers for their selfless sacrifices with him will be futile. Therefore ing this rubbish to some gullible LTTE Sri Lankans out of the area why the LTTE could not embark on vious governments had acted like- and devoted commitment to their any ceasefire for peace talks should captive audiences throughout the by depriving them of life sustain- this project themselves. The wise whenever the CFA was violat- duty to safeguard our country. No start with the condition of decom- country. The twin objectives of the able water. Mutur too would have amount involved is perhaps only a ed by the LTTE, then the mantle of doubt our security force remain missioning of arms and a commit- NGOs appear to be to demoralise been lost, ethnically cleansed, and couple of weeks’ extortion money LTTE’s impunity would have been ready anticipating the return of ment to discuss the core issues of the security forces and infuse fear now, would have been prepared as they levy on the travellers on the torn to shreds long time ago and the murderous LTTE once the mon- the problems. An agenda-less and in the government of Armageddon, the staging post for the military A9 road. Then again, given the fact the LTTE’s brazen arrogance soon starts. The government was condition-less talks should be would have been muted, if not com- only conducting a measured avoided and duplicitous Norway’s pletely stopped. The LTTE now response (and not mere retaliation) role, as we are stuck with them, knows that any violation of CFA to LTTE’s provocations, otherwise should be strictly defined. involves a very high cost on them there would have been vast territo- The political defeat of the in terms of cadres as well as mili- rial gains to the government. This LTTE is also achievable. The gov- tary assets. is presumably because the govern- ernment should get the Expert At this point the words of ment still wishes to arrive at a solu- Committee to expedite their delib- British Foreign Office Minister, tion by negotiation. eration to produce the outline of a Kim Howells in the Al-Hayat It is quite clear that war against just solution to our problem. A Arabic Language newspaper in LTTE fascism is winnable and patently just and transparent Britain is quite appropriate. He should be won both militarily and offer embodying Human Rights, wrote that: “If we give in to the ter- politically. The LTTE only under- Rule of Law, Democracy and rorists, if we do what they want, stands and communicates via Equality would have the assent of they will not go away. They will armed conflicts. Therefore military the majority in Parliament and come back stronger. And every response is the method to employ the two major political parties. man, woman and child in this coun- in dealing with them. The, best Such an offer will have the sup- try, of whatever faith, will face a option would be to adopt their port of the war weary Tamils and bleak future” (Quoted in the Sunday method of hit and run guerilla war- the world outside. The sheer force Times 27th Aug.). I hope the Deputy fare to demoralise the outfit while of the sincerity and genuineness British High Commissioner who reducing their military assets. This of the peace-offer will compel the recently visited Thamil Chelvan in should also be followed up with LTTE to negotiate at a table where Killinochchi will take note of this intensive propaganda campaigns all stakeholders will have a seat. statement by her political boss. A in the north and the east exposing On the other hand, if the LTTE terrorist is a terrorist, he/she kills the nature of the LTTE to the peo- refuses to consider such a solu- white, black, brown and yellow ple living in near slavery under tion, then their days to demise humans both in the rich white LTTE oppression. It should also would be numbered. A constitu- man’s underground railway in reveal to the people what the gov- tional settlement with the Tamil London as well as in the indigent ernment is doing to free them from people, as against the LTTE, is brown man’s roads in Colombo! their oppressive and repressive paramount and is the road to per- The strategy of entering the tyrant. It does not make sense why manent peace in our country.