03-04-2004, 04:29 PM
Tigers admit 'temporary' crisis
<b>By Frances Harrison
BBC correspondent in Colombo</b>
Tamil Tiger leaders in Sri Lanka have for the first time admitted there is a crisis in the ranks, but insist it is only temporary.
The rebels initially denied there was a split in their organisation triggered by the comments of a senior commander in the east of the island.
It is still not yet clear how serious are the problems facing the rebels.
They are renowned for their rigid discipline and secrecy, and public expressions of dissent are rare.
<b>Emergency meeting</b>
This could be just the public airing of regional grievances by a powerful commander in the east - but it could also be something more.
A pro-rebel website, Tamilnet, quoted the head of the Tigers' political wing, saying the crisis was only temporary and would be resolved soon.
No other details were given, but the situation did prompt the Sri Lankan prime minister to go into an emergency meeting with officials and diplomats.
And the head of the international truce monitors has flown to rebel headquarters in the north of the island for discussions he described as constructive.
The crisis seems to revolve around Colonel Karuna, a Tiger commander in eastern Sri Lanka, who also took part in peace talks with the government.
It is thought Colonel Karuna is unhappy that the bulk of the rebel fighters come from the east and yet all the top leadership comes from the north of Sri Lanka.
But why such grievances should surface now is a mystery, just as the country is gearing up for general elections next month.
<b>By Frances Harrison
BBC correspondent in Colombo</b>
Tamil Tiger leaders in Sri Lanka have for the first time admitted there is a crisis in the ranks, but insist it is only temporary.
The rebels initially denied there was a split in their organisation triggered by the comments of a senior commander in the east of the island.
It is still not yet clear how serious are the problems facing the rebels.
They are renowned for their rigid discipline and secrecy, and public expressions of dissent are rare.
<b>Emergency meeting</b>
This could be just the public airing of regional grievances by a powerful commander in the east - but it could also be something more.
A pro-rebel website, Tamilnet, quoted the head of the Tigers' political wing, saying the crisis was only temporary and would be resolved soon.
No other details were given, but the situation did prompt the Sri Lankan prime minister to go into an emergency meeting with officials and diplomats.
And the head of the international truce monitors has flown to rebel headquarters in the north of the island for discussions he described as constructive.
The crisis seems to revolve around Colonel Karuna, a Tiger commander in eastern Sri Lanka, who also took part in peace talks with the government.
It is thought Colonel Karuna is unhappy that the bulk of the rebel fighters come from the east and yet all the top leadership comes from the north of Sri Lanka.
But why such grievances should surface now is a mystery, just as the country is gearing up for general elections next month.
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