Below we post letters to the WSWS on Barry Grey's May 27 article [http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/may2000/pick-m27.shtml]
Dear Editor,
I have been following developments in Sri Lanka through the Internet as they unfold. In the past month I have found the World Socialist Web Site articles especially informative. Together with other articles on the same matter I am better informed now on the issues than before.
I find it rather saddening that there are leaders who would go around suppressing a people's way of life and culture. If political leaders introduce policies like this do they really think that they can keep a nation and its people intact? If every action has it consequence, then the response of the Tigers is a natural consequence towards a government policy that has been in place for more then a half a century if not more.
Now to revert the situation what the government has to do is to put in place the kind of policies that would bring about the desired response. Of course, it will take time for the mistrust to subside—after all, mistrust was not built overnight—but it would be a start to a new chapter in the island nation's history.
A
28 May 2000
Dear Mr. Grey:
Where are all the heroic war reporters? Who is the "Kurt Schork" for Sri Lankan Tamils? I was asking God (who we Sri Lankan Tamils all turn to) these questions. I consider your excellent analysis on the Sri Lankan war situation and the current visit by the US envoy as the answer I received from above.
The world does not revolve on the axis of justice, once said Prabakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Five years ago, it was not a human tragedy for the world, when 500,000 inhabitants of Jaffna, including my then 75-year-old father, were fleeing the attacks of the advancing Sri Lankan army. However, when 30,000 armed soldiers are in danger the world is all concerned.
Democracy as the Western world knows is the rule of the majority. It has not worked in Sri Lanka, with two major nationalities. If democracy is the rule "of the people, by the people, for the people", then no one people (nationality) can rule another. It appears that democracy is only a privilege that can be enjoyed within the borders of the powerful.
Please keep up the good work.
MS
USA
27 May 2000