TIGER INTERNATIONAL
Tamil Tigers taught terrorists cum insurgents the world over the finer (or more savage) points of suicide bombing, the recruitment of child soldiers, arms trafficking, propaganda and the use of a global Diaspora to collect resources. The Tigers “were the pioneers in many of the terrorist tactics we see worldwide today,” and serve as a benchmark for other international terrorist groups to emulate. The knowledge contained in the following applications (A to D), which was mastered by the LTTE would be highly sought after by similar international insurgent group’s: the LTTE, would be highly sought after by similar international insurgent group:
A. Suicide bomb technology
B. Global network structure
C. Arms and explosives procurement
D. Maritime capability
The Tamil Tigers were far from a domestic Sri Lankan phenomenon. The Tigers International network – which dealt with its numerous fund raising arms, weapons acquisition & transport, and drug smuggling – best demonstrated the group’s global reach. Although the entire senior-level leadership based in Sri Lanka was annihilated by the culmination of hostilities in June 2009; the figure heads of most of the International arms of the Organisation outside the Island still remain at large and active. At present the international network has three main branches:
1. KP Department – Weapons Procurement (Department of LTTE International Relations)
2. Castro Group – International Finances (Department of Diaspora Affairs)
3. Aiyanna Network – Overseas Intelligence gathering
Until recently the three groups were scrambling to take control of the various overseas assets of the LTTE. By July 2009, “KP” – Kumaran Pathmanathan aka Selvarajah Pathmanathan emerged as the new head of the Tamil Tigers, with a renewed declaration that the group will continue to advance the struggle to achieve an independent mono ethnic Tamil State on the Island. Following the dramatic arrest of Mr. Pathmanathan in August 2009, the overseas branches now appear to be falling under the control of more militant minded individuals that are wedded to the use of be falling under the control of more militant minded individuals that are wedded to the use of violence to achieve their objectives. It is imperative for these overseas elements to demonstrate control over ground operations, firstly to achieve credibility and recognition, and secondly to boost the morale of a shocked Diaspora support base. Given the recent surge in arrests and the recovery of suicide kits in the capital Colombo, It is very likely that in the short term, attacks on soft targets could be carried out to demonstrate the continued existence of the LTTE. This will also facilitate overseas leaders to assert authority over the LTTE network. In conclusion, the Tamil Tigers international network still poses a legitimate existential threat to future hopes of peace, stability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
The Global Tamil Tiger Network Earlier the mainstay of the LTTE in raising funds, procuring arms and transporting them back was the man f d “ ” h h k l h h h h d referred to as “KP” – Kumaran Pathmanathan aka Selvarajah Pathmanathan. He was the mastermind behind the LTTE’s global network. This network was responsible for equipping the rebels with a modern day arsenal to fight a high intensity war. He procured state-of-the-art military hardware, paid for them through secret bank accounts, and ensured they were shipped. Since 2002, deputies trained by KP undertook the necessary fieldwork with regards to procurement activities, with KP directing and supervising most of the transactions. His seconds-in-command were changed frequently for security reasons. But whoever is number two to KP at any given time was always given the nom de guerre ‘David’. Although Kumaran Pathmanathan was arrested in August 2009, his trained deputies still remain active in the international scene. Their ability to procure and transport advanced weaponry, delivering it into the hands of any group that wishes to use their services, remains intact.
It is possible to divide LTTE international arms procurement activity into five main zones of geographic operation:
- NORTH KOREA
- AFGHANISTAN
- PAKISTAN
- CHINA
- JAPAN
- BURMA
- LAOS
- HONG KONG
- VIETNAM
- CAMBODIA
- CYPRUS
North East and South East Asia, focussing particularly on China, North Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Burma. South West Asia, focussing particularly on Afghanistan and Pakistan (through the so-called Afghan pipeline). The Former Soviet Union, focussing particularly on Ukraine. South Eastern Europe and Middle East, focussing particularly on Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. Africa, focusing particularly on Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eritrea.
A TIGERS TRAIL OF ARMSThe Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, has been smuggling weapons into Sri Lanka by means of false paperwork, middle men and stealthy fishing boatsA middleman consolidated LTTE orders and paperwork with others and set up the purchase with the manufacturer
The LTTE’s international support network has ensured that the group had been at the cutting edge of LTTE’s contemporary terrorist lethality and sophistication, possibly providing the prototype for the type of insurgent organization that the world is likely to witness in the next decade. Providing the LTTE with war material that cannot be indigenously produced had been the main goal of the network. The success of the KP Department in this regard can be judged from the quality of some of the war-material that the division had been able to procure for the Tigers. Most members of the LTTE global weapons procurement team, have received no formal military training. skills, however, While not specifically trained in military skills however those inducted into the KP Department receive intensive instruction in a number of other areas including document forgery, gun running, communication, international freight shipping and investing. Singapore and Hong Kong, strategically situated on key shipping lanes and with highly developed banking structures, form the communications hub of the LTTE weapons procurement network. These two “city states” orchestrate cells located in Thailand, Cambodia and Lebanon, effectively plugging the LTTE into the booming arms bazaars of Southeast and Southwest Asia. The group is also known to have used front companies and contractors in Africa and Europe for deals involving the states of the former Soviet Union the Middle East and Union, sub-Saharan Africa. The group primarily deal with underworld arms dealers operating in various European and South East Asian countries. However in the recent past the LTTE have also been able to obtain end-user licences from North Korea, Eritrea and Bangladesh. This has allowed the group to buy advanced weaponry directly from legitimate international weapons manufacturers.
The LTTE obtained false, end-country paperwork needed to legally purchase d weapons and placed three orders Bay of Bengal South China Sea.
The third arms order was cancelled due to plea from Sri Lankan president to Chinese officials.
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Hangikjöt is smoked Icelandic lambs. It is reputed to be especially good because of how the sheep are farmed, which is quite old fashioned: they are free to roam around the wilderness of the unspoiled and rather barren highlands all summer long without any supervision at all. The sheep graze not only on grass, but also on plants and herbs which contributes to their rich and complex flavour. In this way, the meat has been marinated the entire life of the animal.
The famous not-actually-a-yoghurt-but-nobody-cares product, skyr, is technically a type of soft cheese, made from gelatinous milk curds. As appetizing as that sounds, mixed with milk and served with sugar or Icelandic blueberries, it’s actually quite wonderful, with a rich, yoghurt-like texture and slightly sour taste.
Saltfiskur (Bacalao): Saltfiskur, literally salt-fish, has been dried and salted. It has a history in scandinavia of more than 500 years, and used to be a major export before refrigeration was a thing. Recently however, it has experienced a revival in some Icelandic restaurants.
