Sri Lankan civilians 'escape' rebel stronghold /* AlJazeera */

[AruchunaParam]

Hey no hard feelings, I realize that politics brings out sides of people that are unexpectected. But besides the protests with the flags their main meanings are genuine...they are trying to stop the humanitarian crisis.

[AruchunaParam]

I am worried for the civilians, and I know that many tamils seem to be protesting with the flags, but they do it to protest to make something happen, because they are tired of hearing about casualties. The first human chain protest in toronto canada was beautifully organized with no flags of either party in Sri Lanka, but it was a call to the world to open their eyes about what is and was unfolding in Sri Lanka!

[AruchunaParam]

And tamils do help other Tamils, so its not like they dont care. And YES, the killings by the LTTE are known, as they use them as a human shield, but that is just as proven as the GoSL attack on the "saftey zones" with shells and gas bombs.

I guess I am somewhat relieved that a veru few amount of civilians were given some food and water, and treated, even if it was just on camera, maybe AlJazeera can stick around to make sure things go the way the Government says it will...

[BlackEagle909]

IF it is the NFZ what the fuck is LTTE doing in there?

[AruchunaParam]

That is my question as well, but if you think about it, the government pushed the LTTE north east away from the rest of Sri Lanka. Why didnt they push north through these areas and get rid of the Tigers, but protect these civilians. Then the war could have continued in the jungle and civilians wouldnt have been as affected!

[BlackEagle909]

Answer is simple. That was not practice as LTTE were holding these civilians.

If the government declared a NFS out of the war zone civilians will not be able to come to that because LTTE were holding them.

[AruchunaParam]

What are you trying to say? That if the war zone was the safe zone the tamil civilians wouldn't be able to go there, because the LTTE wont let them?

My point was that the Sri Lankan Gov't had the power to push the LTTE in the direction they wanted in the last couple of months. And I just find it ironic that they thought the best place to push the war into was the was an area crowded with civilians.

[BlackEagle909]

No it was not. Prior to the war there were no civilians in this area where NFZ is now.

What happened is that when the LTTE is pushed back by the Army, LTTE also forcebally took all the civilians alone with them. So that is why both LTTE and such a huge crowd of civilians were trapped together in NFZ. LTTE did that intentionally .

None of these civilians are residents of NFZ. They lived in the areas where LTTE lost control of.

[AruchunaParam]

Yes Tamil are still protesting. I am a tamil canadian, who is neither in support for the LTTE, nor am I happy with the GoSL. As comforting as this video is, it troubles me that this is probably just propaganda. Seeing as GoSL has restricted or rather banned the international media, how are we to know what is happening in these northern parts. AlJazeera has somehow given permission to accompany the SL Navy in a "rescue mission" but how often does that occur when the camera is off.

[ehadzg]

This is AlJazeera you are talking about not Sri Lankan State television. I'm quite sure AlJazeera would not report favoring GoSL unless this is what actually happens.. What could GoSL or any other media do to prove what is actually happening over there (other than providing an independent video)?

[AruchunaParam]

Yes i understand, but Im just saying for one that if the government has nothing to hide, and if they say its only the tigers who are doing bad things, why not let media into the north east? Then there is hard evidence of it. I just find it suspicious that every time the government does something good, they allow the media to follow them!