Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Per Stig Moller had told the Danish Parliament (Folketing ) that the government would take necessary action to ensure that the terrorist lists of America and the European Union would not differ on the inclusion of the LTTE, the Asian Tribune reported yesterday.
It added that the Foreign Minister’s statement was made in reply to a written question raised by Denmark People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti) Member of Parliament Peter Skarup on October 7, over the visit to Denmark of Balakumar a leader of the LTTE and why the Tigers had not been included in the European Union’s list of terrorist organisations..
The Asian Tribune report, datelined Copenhagen November 1 reads: " The Government of Denmark would take necessary action to see that both the terrorists list of United States of America and European Union as one and the same. This assurance was given in the floor of the Danish Parliament (Folketing ) by Per Stig Moller, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
While replying to written question raised Denmark People’s Party’s (Dansk Folkeparti) Member of Parliament Mr. Peter Skarup, who is also the second chairman of the Party, Foreign Minister said "Government of Denmark would take appropriate action to include the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the terrorists list."
The written question and the answer appeared in the Denmark parliament Document list is given below:
Foreign Affairs Ministry October 004.10.31
Denmark People’s Party’s (Dansk Folkeparti) Member of Parliament Mr. Peter Skarup asked Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 2004 October 07 in the Parliament (Folketing) the written the question.
Question No: S 143
An important leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr. Balakumar came to Denmark and remained here and visited several places. Will the Foreign Minister tells us the reason why he was here? Furthermore, why Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was not included so far in the "Terrorists list of the European Union"? Further more the Tigers have an Army under their control and a suicide squad and were involved in series of bloody attacks on civilian population and in 1991 they attacked the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and killed him and whether the Foreign Minister is aware these facts.? Therefore they have to be included in the European Union’s Terrorists list. Furthermore, will the Minister take appropriate actions to ensure the terrorists list maintained by the United States of America as well as the European Union’s one to be one and the same? If such measures failed, will the Minister ban the Tamil Tigers entering Denmark?
Reply by Per Stig Moller - Foreign Minister
Balakumar was in Denmark on a private visit. His arrival was not brought to the notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In February 2002 a ceasefire agreement was reached between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamill Eelam with the facilitation of the Government of Norway. Ceasefire is being so far adhered. Meanwhile, so far numerous rounds of talks were held to find solutions to the problems. Denmark as well as the European Union gave our concrete support. But for the last so many months, there was no progress at all. Norway continues in it facilitation efforts reconvene the peace talks.
To prepare the terrorists list of the European Union, opinions of the member states would be sought and after arriving at a consensus only, the list would be prepared.
Government of Denmark would take necessary action to see that both the terrorists list of United States of America and European Union as one and the same.
Government of Denmark would take appropriate action to include the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the terrorists list.
Presently, European Union has not taken any decision regarding the inclusion of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the terrorists list. Reason for this is some of the countries have kept themselves away from the present peace process that is taking place in Sri Lanka."
