01-13-2005, 07:50 PM
U.S. Marines head for eastern Sri Lankan shores, close to areas with Tamil rebel influence
Associated Press, Thu January 13, 2005 10:04 EST . TINI TRAN -
Associated Press Writer - ABOARD THE USS DULUTH, Sri Lanka(AP)
The USS Duluth was bound for eastern Sri Lankan shores on Thursday to carry out tsunami relief work [b]that will bring it close to areas controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels.
In eastern Sri Lanka, Tamils and Muslims are the major communities and the Tamil Tiger rebels have considerable influence. The area was the scene of a major clash between the mainstream rebel group and a breakaway faction in March and April last year.
[b]The Tigers have made no comment on either the landing of U.S. soldiers or their movement to the east. But a rebel-backed Tamil politician has charged that the troops engaged in relief efforts might use the operation as a cover to spy on the rebels and give intelligence to the government.
``They may try to collect details to help the government crush the Tamil national struggle in a future conflict,'' Tamil rebel political leader Nallathamby Srikantha told Voice of Tigers radio.
The rebels have their bases in the north and the east, which is home to most of the country's 3.2 million Tamil minority. The Tamil Tigers, included on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations, have fought a two-decade civil war for independence. About 65,000 people were killed in the conflict until a Norway-brokered cease-fire in 2002.
Rogers said the U.S. military has made a conscious effort to remain more low-key in its aid efforts and not allow it to become a political issue.
``We've been very sensitive to the government and how (the U.S. military presence) is perceived,'' he said. [b]``If you mobilize 400 Marines at one time, we're aware that can be intimidating.'
[b]So far the few Marines who have been sent ashore do not carry weapons or set up heavy security perimeters, he said.
Once the relief mission is completed, the ship will return to its original anchoring position off the southern coastal town of Koggala by Sunday, the commander said.
From there, the ship will rendezvous with the USS Bonhomme Richard, which has been off the coast of Indonesia, and other members of its battle group, before returning course to its original destination of Iraq next week.
Published: Thu Jan 13 10:18:32 EST 2005
Associated Press, Thu January 13, 2005 10:04 EST . TINI TRAN -
Associated Press Writer - ABOARD THE USS DULUTH, Sri Lanka(AP)
The USS Duluth was bound for eastern Sri Lankan shores on Thursday to carry out tsunami relief work [b]that will bring it close to areas controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels.
In eastern Sri Lanka, Tamils and Muslims are the major communities and the Tamil Tiger rebels have considerable influence. The area was the scene of a major clash between the mainstream rebel group and a breakaway faction in March and April last year.
[b]The Tigers have made no comment on either the landing of U.S. soldiers or their movement to the east. But a rebel-backed Tamil politician has charged that the troops engaged in relief efforts might use the operation as a cover to spy on the rebels and give intelligence to the government.
``They may try to collect details to help the government crush the Tamil national struggle in a future conflict,'' Tamil rebel political leader Nallathamby Srikantha told Voice of Tigers radio.
The rebels have their bases in the north and the east, which is home to most of the country's 3.2 million Tamil minority. The Tamil Tigers, included on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations, have fought a two-decade civil war for independence. About 65,000 people were killed in the conflict until a Norway-brokered cease-fire in 2002.
Rogers said the U.S. military has made a conscious effort to remain more low-key in its aid efforts and not allow it to become a political issue.
``We've been very sensitive to the government and how (the U.S. military presence) is perceived,'' he said. [b]``If you mobilize 400 Marines at one time, we're aware that can be intimidating.'
[b]So far the few Marines who have been sent ashore do not carry weapons or set up heavy security perimeters, he said.
Once the relief mission is completed, the ship will return to its original anchoring position off the southern coastal town of Koggala by Sunday, the commander said.
From there, the ship will rendezvous with the USS Bonhomme Richard, which has been off the coast of Indonesia, and other members of its battle group, before returning course to its original destination of Iraq next week.
Published: Thu Jan 13 10:18:32 EST 2005