LTTE ultimatum may push monitors out

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have given monitors from EU nations -- Sweden, Denmark and Finland -- until Sept. 1 to leave Sri Lanka in light of a new EU ban against them, which analysts warn would leave a dangerous vacuum as growing violence kindles fears of renewed civil war.

Before the ban the Tigers had warned they would not be able to guarantee the safety of monitors who travel aboard navy ships, but it is not yet clear what will happen if the unarmed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) ignores their demand.

"If they can't guarantee their safety, it means they cannot accept us, and then it's not only the safety it is also the working conditions for the Swedish, Finnish and Danish members," visiting Swedish Ambassador-at-Large Anders Oljelund told Reuters in an interview late on Friday.

"Then we will have to pull out," he added. "If LTTE sticks to their decision to exclude three northern countries for these reasons from the mission, I think the work of the mission will be hampered and I think also the credibility of the mission will be reduced."

The rebels insist 37 monitors from the three countries must leave, which would leave just 20 from Norway and Iceland -- not enough to properly oversee a 2002 truce.

The Tigers rejected Oljelund's plea on Friday to reconsider their decision.

Tiger political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan told Reuters this month the rebels would only review their position once the EU removes them from their list of terrorist organisations.

"I can understand the reaction of the Tigers. They perceive this (EU) decision as a ban of their whole organisation. They don't see that there is any balance," Oljelund said on his return from a visit to the Tigers' northern stronghold of Kilinochchi.

"But I think it is unreasonable still, because also the Tigers must little by little be able to look upon themselves (and see) this is a wider peace process in which the international community ... must be taken into consideration."

The monitors themselves say opinions range from withdrawing the mission to ignoring the LTTE demand and continuing work as normal -- a dangerous option after close shaves during attacks.