URGENT PRESS RELEASE LTTE Headquarters Vanni Tamil Eelam 16th August,2001 LTTE CONDEMNS PURCHASE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND WARNS SRI LANKA OF DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCE The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in a statement issued from its headquarters in Vanni, northern Sri Lanka today, warned the Kumaratunga government of disastrous consequences if it inducted the recently acquired weapons with chemical warheads into the north-eastern theatre of war. "We are perturbed over reports that the Sri Lanka government has purchased new infantry weapon system with chemical warheads. This Russian made rocket propelled 'thermobaric' weapon is internationally banned for its lethal toxic effects on combatants and civilians. The acquisition of this banned weapon by Sri Lanka marks a new and dangerous escalation of the armed conflict in the island", the LTTE's statement declared. The use of this weapon has been eschewed by international militaries except the Russians. The indiscriminate nature of these morally reprehensible arms and the dangerous effects of their use do not seem to have perturbed the Sinhala ruling elites. The decision by the Sri Lankan government to introduce mass destruction technology into the northeast theatre of the conflict reflects its single-minded determination to continue with the military option and escalate the war against the Tamil people. As a result, this development has seriously undermined efforts to peacefully resolve the Tamil question. Any confidence in such efforts continues to be eroded by the ongoing persistent aerial bombardment on towns and villages in the Tamil homeland. In conclusion, the LTTE calls upon the concerned nations of the international community, particularly the United States, Britain, European Union and India to condemn Sri Lanka for the acquisition of weapons with chemical war heads and to impress upon the Sinhala Government the detrimental effects of their use in the Tamil homeland.