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Lankan intervention only with LTTE nod: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today made it clear that India could intervene only if both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam pressed for it. He said there would be no change in the government's stand even if Jaffna fell into the hands of Tamil rebels.

Talking informally to the media in the Central Hall of Parliament, Vajpayee described the situation in the island as Grave. He said, if Jaffna fell to the rebels, it would not be the first time that it would go out of the hands of the Sri Lankan government. (The Sri Lankan defence forces captured Jaffna from the rebels only five years ago).

Replying to questions, he said the Sri Lankan government was securing defence supplies from different sources. He, however, did not identify the sources.

To a pointed question whether the island government had received aircraft from Israel and ammunition from Pakistan a few days back, Vajpayee said they were getting supplies from various sources.

To another question, Vajpayee categorically ruled out India recognising Tamil Eelam if Jaffna fell into the hands of Tamil rebels.

UNI

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