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The Lanka Academic carried an online "Question and Answer" session with Dr. Subramanian Swamy, President, Janata Party, India, from January 11, 2003 to January 18, 2003. Below are the questions from our readers and the answers by Dr. Swamy.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Subramanian Swamy is the president of Janata Party in India. He is an alumnus of Harvard University where he obtained his PhD in Economics under the guidance of Nobel Prize Laureate Prof. Simon Kuznets. He has held various academic positions including a professorship at Harvard as well as at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, in addition to many other institutions. He has written several books on economics and political matters with special emphasis on the Indian subcontinent and China. Dr. Swamy, who served the Republic of India as well as the United Nations in various capacities, joined the Janata Party established by the veteran freedom fighter and political activist Jayaprakash Narayan and has been its President since 1989. He became a member of cabinet of the Indian Central government when he was appointed as the Minister of Law, Commerace and Justice. Dr. Swamy has written and commented extensively on Sri Lankan affairs and is considered to be a leading expert on Indian policy matters with respect to Sri Lanka.

29	Thu Jan 30 07:33:15 EST 2003 What is the extent and the potential of South Indian support for the LTTE?  -  Shyamon Jayasinghe, Melbourne Answer: Not available yet.
28	Mon Jan 27 11:56:55 EST 2003 As you have admitted in answer to Q24 it was SoniaGhandi’s mother-in-law who financed LTTE for long. It is a well known fact that RAW trained and equipped LTTE first of all. India launched Operation Poomalai because SL army was about to catch Prabhakaran who was an instrument of India at the time. Now India blames Pakistan for doing the same favors for different terrorist groups. Don’t you think India is at fault that LTTE became a real threat to the region?  -  sam, uk Answer: Not available yet.
27	Fri Jan 24 06:41:15 EST 2003 Dear Dr.Swamy, In the proposed federal administration to the Tamil region in Srilanka if the power devolved would be substantially more than that is currently devolved to a state in India, would India be worried?  -  Pannerselvam, Malaysia Answer: Not available yet.
26	Wed Jan 22 22:55:15 EST 2003 You have advocated the Federal solution for Sri Lanka's Tamil problem. How do you see the Eastern province, with its equal Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim populations fitting into such a formula, especially since even the currently imposed merger with the Northern province under the Indo-Lanka Accord is without the consent of the people?  -  Dr. A. M. Ladduwahetty, Colombo Answer: Not available yet.
25	Tue Jan 21 11:27:42 EST 2003 The US has failed to find Osama Bin Ladan and India has not caught Veerappan. In the same way Sri Lanka has been unable to find Prabhakaran while the war was on. Dont you find your constant request for extradiction impractical ?. What have you suggested the Indian government do other than making the occasional extradition demand ?.Are you for the idea of Indian forces coming in to Sri Lanka again for the sole purpose of catching Prabhakaran ?  -  Anuradha Rajapakse, London, UK Answer: Not available yet.
24	Sun Jan 19 11:58:36 EST 2003 Dear Dr. Swamy, You are asking the SriLankan government to hand over Mr. Pirabakaran and Mr. Pottu Amman to have a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict. But, how can the SriLankans do that while the Indian forces were unable to do that when they were in SriLanka?  -  Dravid G, Canada Answer: The IPKF had once completely surrounded Prabhakaran, but instructions came from Delhi to let him go. A future government will have to probe who ordered this. IPKF was sabotaged from within, and by Premadasa.The same set of people are sabotaging catching the LTTE stooge and forest bandit Veerappan. I mean the coterie headed by Sonia Gandhi, whose mother financed the LTTE for long. It however is primarily Sri Lanka government's responsibility to catch him. If they say they cannot do it, it means Sri Lanka is a failed state. Then other consequences follow.
23	Sat Jan 18 15:39:21 EST 2003 Dear Dr.Swamy As you know even with the global economic down turn China remains the only country in the region with the lions share of foreign investments. Why is it that we in Sri Lanka and India have only been able to export human capitol ( IT workers in the case of India and House Maids in the case of SL) while lagging far behind in attracting foreign capitol when compared to China. How do you reconcile the fact that seemingly democratic countries such as ours failed in this sense while an autocratic communist China is galloping all the way to become the next super power and regional economic behometh out flanking even Japan? Your comments please.  -  Norton Welisara, SL Answer: It is not so simple. Please read my edit page article in Hindu dated 14/1/03 that is accessible online. Remember the same consternation was there with East Asia till the bubble burst in 1997. China is sitting on a financial volcano, which may or may not be diffused. However, if India and Sri lanka give up the last vestiges of Soviet type socialism and build reliable infrastructure, we will overtake China in two decades.
22	Sat Jan 18 15:31:31 EST 2003 Dear Dr.Swamy. Through out the years you have consistantly maintained that Sri Lanka would be better of if it was part of India. Although India is considered a regional superpower with immense military capabilities in terms of other factors such as living standards, Human growth index, literacy and for that matter almost any other criteria under which a nations status is measured Sri Lanka is far ahead of India. How would you reconcile such disparities in a possible scenario of a Indian Sri Lankan confedaration?  -  Roy Samaraweera, USA Answer: India /Sri lanka confederation or merger is desirable only if Sinhala majority continue to deny Tamils the opportunity to administer a province of their own in a federal set-up. It is true that Sri Lanka has an excellent HDI[human development index], but when East and West Germany merged the same differentials were there.
21	Sat Jan 18 04:23:30 EST 2003 Dear Dr.Swamy The common understaning among a majority of Sri Lankans is that the LTTE leader has already been convicted of the murder of the late Prime Minister Ghandhi. For those who are not familiar with the Indian legal system could you please explain what a "proclaimed offender" is and what the differance between such a person and a person who is charged for a particular offence?  -  Dr.Nimal Senewiratna, UK Answer: Prabhakaran has been charged in court as Accused No.1 and Pottu Amman as Accused No.2. He has not been tried since under Indian law the accused has to be produced in court, and charges read out to him. He is given an option to plead guilty or not guilty. Then trial commences. When the accused does not turn up, then he is declared by the court as a proclaimed offender, and the state is made responsible to find him and bring him to court.
20	Thu Jan 16 09:28:39 EST 2003 Though there were many objections by many leading politicians, the Indo-Lanka pact was imposed on Sri Lanka after threats by India. Considering the resentment and the manner in which the IPKF withdrew and the lack of involvement by India in the peace process, do you think it is time to tear off the agreement?  -  Daniel, UK Answer: The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was a trick of Jayawardene to make India bailout Sri Lanka after he found out that the world remained silent when Indian jets flew in on Operation Poomalai. The LTTE was a party to the accord. But for selfish reasons, when Prabhakaran found that India did not regard him as the sole representative of the Tamils, he welched on his commitments. The rest was drama arranged by him. I am favour of such an accord only if India can deploy one division of the army and one squadron of the airforce in Colombo area so that we are not stabbed in the back as Premadasa did, and with whom LTTE shamelessly collaborated after calling India as "mother India" !
19	Wed Jan 15 21:46:49 EST 2003 Dear Dr. Swamy, Because majority of Eastern province is non-Tamil, don't you think India made a mistake in 1987 by urging the then sri lankan government to merge it with the North province as a part of the Indo-Lanka agreement?  -  Yusuf, Colombo Answer: The Eastern part becomes majority non-Tamil only if you include forcibly resettled Sinhalese, and regard Muslims as non-Tamil. Tamil is a language not a religion. If you want a united independent Sri Lanka you should not quibble about such things. Non-Tamils should regard Tamils as of the same blood and willingly share power.
18	Wed Jan 15 20:05:22 EST 2003 Dr.Swamy, Naturally,as a tiny island neighbouring a vast country like India,Sri Lanka has immensely been influenced by your country in all spheres.Despite that centuries old relationship,most Sri Lankans feel that India often has a hostile attitude towards Sri Lanka(or its governments).Your comments please.Thanks.  -  Lionel Fernandopulle, Miami Beach,FL, USA Answer: No, Indians love Sri Lanka and its people. We are only put off by your silly adherence to the British Imperialist concocted theory of Aryans and Dravidians, and the way the majority has systematically oppressed the Tamils with outrageous Nazi-like ideas as marks standardisation and Sinhala only language policy. Even the most fundamentalist Hindutva elements in India do not advocate such things for Muslims. We have Muslim President, the richest man is Muslim{Premji of Wipro}, chief ministers etc..
17	Wed Jan 15 17:00:13 EST 2003 Do you think that a solution that grants substantial autonomy to the Tamil speaking regions in Sri Lanka would lead to break up of India starting from Tamil Nadu ?  -  Miller Ethirverasinghe, USA Answer: India will never break up since we have capacity to co-opt our internal opponents. There are no imperialists anymore to act as mid-wife. If you give autonomy to a LTTE headed province then India is bound to react to the detriment of Sri Lanka's sovereignty.
16	Wed Jan 15 09:40:58 EST 2003 Dear Dr. Swamy, do you think the powerful broadcasting capabilities acquired by the LTTE recently will pose a threat to the Indian security or cause some unnecessary interference to your political missions? If so, in what ways?  -  Thrishantha, USA Answer: That radio is a joke. It will be put out action by Indian airforce if it is beamed to India. No one in India takes the LTTE propaganda seriously. But we shall not tolerate any nuisance from the LTTE.
15	Tue Jan 14 17:24:01 EST 2003 Dear Dr Swamy In a recent Public Interest Litigation, you sought to forbear the Government of India from taking part to any meeting in which the LTTE participates. Those who are familiar with the conflict appear to be certain that there is no solution without LTTE's partcipation. Many seem to think that India has a major role to play to settle this problem. Do you think India should maintain a hands-off policy or do you have any other ideas to solve this problem without LTTE?  -  Bala Vigneswaran, Sydney, Australia Answer: Yes. The Sri lanka should unilaterally announce a federal constitution without further talks. Thereafter, they should ban the LTTE, and ask India to help supervise the general elections in which all Tamil parties can participate except those with criminal charges against them.
14	Tue Jan 14 12:50:47 EST 2003 Dear Dr. Swamy, Reportedly, it has been decided during the latest UNF-LTTE talks to get the services of Lieutenant General Sathis Nambiar of India on "the issue of high security zones". Does this mean India is now getting "officially" involved in the process (though India stayed away until now)?  -  S. Jayasena, USA Answer: Private citizens getting involved means nothing. KPS Gill too had come before. India "officially" will stay away from any process that will imply LTTE involvement. LTTE may spin stories about Indian involvement [remember such stories as Balasingham being allowed into India for medical treatment ?], but the bottom line is :No LTTE. The Government's affidavit states that clearly in my public interest petition in Madras High Court. This bottom line applies to private Indians too since POTA provisions apply them too as Vaiko has learnt the hard way.
13	Tue Jan 14 11:27:09 EST 2003 I am a Jaffna Tamil and I fully agree with you about the LTTE, but why have you never condemed the Indian Army for the crime they committed in Jaffna  -  Paramalingam, USA Answer: Whatever crimes Indian soldiers have committed in their individual capacities have been punished by a military court. From World War I onwards Indian army has had the finest record relatively in human rights. Send me a case, and I will check the records to find out if it has gone unpunished. To blame the Indian army as a whole is LTTE's propaganda, and was made to please Pakistan which was helping them at that time.
12	Tue Jan 14 10:59:33 EST 2003 I think that you support the idea of creating a confederation set up for Sri Lanka and India. When the EU nations going ahead with similar set up for them, can you explain how could the two nations forge ahead on this?  -  Priyanka Ramaswamy, UK Answer: When Sinhala majority realises that they are not the British imperialist created mythical Aryan race, and that they are of Indian blood like Tamils, it will be easily possible. It has to be done willingly as two brothers getting together.
11	Tue Jan 14 08:42:05 EST 2003 We all know that you are against the LTTE. But in general Sri Lankan Tamils feel that you are against the freedom and rights of Sri Lanka Tamils. What is your opinion about situation of Tamils in sri Lanka. What they have is enough or do you feel that they are descriminated and their democratic righjts have been denied.  -  Rajan Muththukumaru, Toronto, Canana Answer: The feeling in some minds that I am against the rights of Tamils is again due to LTTE propaganda since they have neither been able to win me over with their narcotics or extortion based money, nor been threaten me to silence . No one who has read what I have written or what I spoken in Parliament can believe this propaganda.
10	Tue Jan 14 08:31:00 EST 2003 Dear Dr.Swamy, I read some of your statements with regards to ethnic problem in Srilanka and you supported a solution based on fedaralism. Can you please explain what type of fedaralism you think that'll work for Srilanka and what'll be the Indian government position with regards to fedaralism. thanks..sri  -  T.Sritharan, Toronto,Canada Answer: Indian type Constitution is ideally suited for Sri Lanka since it provides for dismissing a state government that wants to secede.
9	Tue Jan 14 03:43:34 EST 2003 Dear Sir, You are fighting court battles against the Government of India for granting citizenship to Sonia Gandhi. However, you insisted that all the Indian origin Tamils should be given Sri Lankan citizenship, why is this contradiction? K. Arulananthan, Colombo 15.  -  K. Arulananthan, colombo 15 Answer: I am not fighting any court case against grant of citizenship to Sonia Gandhi. I am fighting to register a case against her for being in the payroll of the KGB, and smuggling out of the country Indian antiques. If my charges are proved she will lose her citizenship. Besides, Tamils of Indian origin were born in Sri Lanka or their fathers and even grandfathers were born there. Hence they are citizens by any international law. To deprive them was a crime in which India participated.
8	Tue Jan 14 03:41:59 EST 2003 Dear Sir, At various stages, you have prescribed the solution for the Sri Lanka's ethnic problem as either federal state instead of present unitary state or Indian guaranteed Eelam or even merger of Sri Lanka with India. At this particular juncture what could be the best solution? K. Arulananthan, Colombo 15.  -  K. Arulananthan, Colombo 15 Answer: If talks fail, then if the Sinhala majority government does not unilaterally announce a federal constitution, then merger with India is the best solution.
7	Tue Jan 14 03:09:48 EST 2003 Dear Dr. Swamy, what is the extent that you can pressure the Indian central government to achieve your targets? Thanks! Sanjaya  -  sanjaya, switharana@hotmail.com Answer: I am well known in India, and have held high position. Hence no government can ignore my reasoned stands.
6	Tue Jan 14 01:26:46 EST 2003 Dr.Swamy You have consistantly taken the position that the LTTE leader Mr.Prabhakaran should be extradited to India as he is a proclaimed offender in the Rajiv Ghandi assasination.Irrespective of the party in power in the center what options are available for India in a scenario where the LTTE becomes the sole ruling entity of a de-facto Eelam in the present North and East of Sri Lanka. Thank You.  -  Nimal Sedara, USA Answer: We will cross that bridge when we come to it. It does not look that the LTTE will ever get power. But Indians are clear; LTTE has to pay the price for killing Rajiv Gandhi, power or no power.
5	Tue Jan 14 01:12:47 EST 2003 In which ways India could contribute on going peace process ? Could you take any initiatives to bring Sri lankan and Indian government work closely on peace process?  -  Sooriyakumar, Brunei Answer: First, the Sri Lankan government must hand over Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman to India. Second, Sri Lanka should announce the adoption of federal constitution unilaterally. Thereafter India can cooperate.
4	Mon Jan 13 23:49:22 EST 2003 [Edited by moderator] Dr Swamy, The major issue in the ongoing peace process seems to be the intransigence of LTTE to disarm its military force. Do you think that this refusal to disarm may eventually pose a threat to Indian sovereignty. Hiran Cooray Australia  -  Hiran Cooray, Australia Answer: LTTE can pose a danger to India's national security but never to India's sovereignty. For LTTE, not disarming is Catch-22 syndrome.
3	Mon Jan 13 23:14:22 EST 2003 As you know most Sri Lankans want peace in their country. I have been reading many news items in which you always take a stand against Sri Lankan Tamil and their commitment to peace. What is your possition about peace in Sri Lanka? Are you are a anti-Sri Lankan or your view about Sri Lanka is only for your political benfits?  -  Somasundaram, USA Answer: Your language seems to be tailored by the LTTE. To oppose terrorism is not anti Tamil.
2	Mon Jan 13 22:03:57 EST 2003 Dr. Swamy, when Prime Minister Rajeeve Gandhi was assasinated by a suicide bomber at Sriperumpoor at an election rally, you were the first one to come on the media (even before the police made any comments on possible suspects)pointing the accusing finger at the LTTE. What was your motive then? Was it to lead or mislead the police from finding the real perpetraters behind this heinous crime?  -  Dr. Victor Rajakulendran, Sydney, Australia Answer: I was Law Minister then and I had a duty to perform. The nation wanted to know the suspects. Some pro-LTTE were trying to spread rumours that the Sikhs had done it. But subsequently the trial court and the Supreme Court confirmed my suspicions that indeed the LTTE had done it. Those LTTE conspirators who were caught and sentenced to hang have admitted to it, and have now filed mercy petitions. This shows how right I was to put the country wise at the initial stage itself.
1	Mon Jan 13 21:53:31 EST 2003 In your opinion what is the best (achievable, long lasting and satisfying all of the ethnic groups involved) solution for the present problem on northern Sri Lanka concerning the LTTE?  -  Bandara, Japan Answer: The Sri lanka government should apprehend Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman and hand them to India. Thereafter they should unilaterally announce the adoption of a federal constitution. Later they should have a round table conference of all parties and hammer out the process for elections.