[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMARKS ON CONDEMNING THE ACTIONS OF THE LIBERATION TIGERS OF TAMIL 
                              EELAM (LTTE)

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VITO FOSSELLA

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 19, 2006

  Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, on June 26, 2006, a homicide bomber drove 
his explosive-laden motorcycle into a car carrying Major General Parami 
Kulatunga, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, killing him 
instantly. While they deny responsibility, this act mirrors many 
terrorist attacks carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 
(LTTE).
  This is another unfortunate event in the constant struggle between 
the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Sri Lanka and the United 
States share a good friendship, with Sri Lanka as Asia's oldest 
democracy. While on the other hand, the LTTE is a group that the 
Secretary of State has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
  One possible step in mitigating this violence is for the Government 
of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers to renegotiate a cease-fire 
agreement. This must be done in a successful manner so the hostilities 
do not resume. However, with the LTTE's refusal to renounce violence, 
this peace process is constantly in jeopardy. Tragically, the number of 
violent acts the LTTE has committed since the peace agreement with 
Government of Sri Lanka has only increased.
  While it has been the United State's policy to encourage peace 
through negotiation, if the violence continues, the State Department 
should consider taking more aggressive steps in aiding the Government 
of Sri Lanka's fight against the LTTE. It is in the interest of the 
United States to ensure that the LTTE renounces violence, primarily so 
all Sri Lankans can live in peace, but also so the LTTE's reign of 
terror does not spread. Reports have indicated that the LTTE had ties 
with al Qaeda. Furthermore, the LTTE has at least a dozen oceangoing 
vessels with which they have honed waterborne terrorist tactics not 
unlike what occurred with the USS Cole bombing.
  The Government of Sri Lanka is a friend to the United States, and I 
stand by the commitment to ensure that friendship lasts well into the 
future.

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