Subject: TNA should not compromise War Crimes Investigation.

May 4, 2011

Dear TNA MPs:

Tamils for Obama urges the  Tamil National Alliance not to compromise the UN Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka for any reason, including for issues under discussion with the Government of Sri Lanka. The call for an International Commission of Inquiry came as a recommendation in the recent Sri Lanka report submitted by the Panel Experts appointed by the UN Secretary General.

This UN report documented the killing of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in the final months of the war. It also highlighted rape, bombing of hospitals and civilian targets, restriction of food supply that resulted in starvation deaths and restriction of medical aid resulting in several injured civilians bled to death. This panel also criticized the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission as not independent. TNA should realize that this report is a product of several international organizations despite strong opposition from the Sri Lankan government.

There are concerns that TNA may compromise the creation of the International Commission of Inquiry for some concessions at the current talks with the Sri Lankan Government. Sri Lankan government is desperate find a way to stop this Commission of Inquiry and TNA should understand this reality and not give any room for compromise.

To make their stand clear TNA should issue a public statement stating that the issue of the International Commission of Inquiry should not be linked to any other issues, including any concessions at the talks with the Sri Lankan Government. The statement should also call for an International Commission of Inquiry as recommended by the UN report.

The TNA should also realize that once they reach an agreement with the Sri Lankan Government, the international community will walk away from our issues. To avoid this, the TNA should insist that the international community to act as a guarantor for any agreements reached. This agreement should have specific guarantees of international communities involvement if Sri Lankan Government fails to implement any aspects of the agreement.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Tamils for Obama