LTTE arms supply network not crippled yet

The recent Security Forces’ victories over the LTTE in Mavil Oya (Aru), Muttur and Sampoor need not be a cause for too much complacency. The Tigers’ international arms supply network still remains virtually intact, although transporting weapons from the Wanni to their beleaguered cadres in the East remains a big problem for the LTTE leadership, due to the Karuna faction’s relentless attacks.

The Wanni Tigers’ attempt to overcome this difficulty by smuggling arms directly to the East from abroad however failed with the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force sinking a Tiger arms supply vessel off Kalmunai on September 17.

It is reported that around 14 ships transporting arms for the Wanni LTTE are currently in international waters. Of these four are directly owned by the Tigers. One of these vessels is believed to be an oil tanker. In addition, it is understood that the LTTE has chartered 10 other ships. Two shipping companies are reportedly managing these operations. Outside Sri Lankan territorial waters these vessels are flying the Honduran and Panamanian flags, according to reliable sources.

Between 1990 and 2003 seven LTTE arms ships were captured or destroyed. Malaysian Authorities seized the first two vessels at Penang in December 1990 and November 1992. The Indian Navy destroyed one ship off Point Pedro on February 14, 1996, resulting in the suicide of Tiger Leader Kittu. The Sri Lanka Navy destroyed another LTTE vessel in Mullaitivu seas on Nov. 2, 1997. A combined SLN-Indian Navy operation led to the sinking of a Tiger ship off Andaman Islands on March 11, 1998. The SLN sank two other vessels off Mullaitivu on March 16, and June 14, 2003.

A cause for concern is the possibility of a remote corner of Borneo Island becoming another arms smuggling point for the Wanni Tigers. Currently Islamic militants are using the island for arms trafficking in arms, according to the Hindustan Times. In a string of arrests dating back to over a year, smugglers have been intercepted trying to sneak out large amounts of fertilizer, detonators and fuses from the Port of Tawau, Borneo into nearby coastal enclaves of Indonesia.

Security analysts point to the seemingly endless Borneo coastline, an engrained smuggling culture and official corruption – or at best lack of commitment and resources – that have boosted covert terrorist operations there. (JP)

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