Colombo, Sri Lanka
The separatist group the Tamil Tigers, labeled “terrorist” by many countries including the U.S., said this week that it wants to participate in democracy. During peace negotiations aimed at ending a bloody, two-decade civil war, chief Tiger negotiator Anton Balasingham said his group planned to “enter the political mainstream.” The Tigers have been fighting since 1983 for independence for the Tamil minority, who make up nearly 20 percent of Sri Lanka’s mostly Sinhalese population. They have long been notorious for their use of suicide bombings and soldiers as young as 7. Now, though, they say they have returned all child soldiers to their parents and are ready to allow political parties into their territory.
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