Tamil Tiger leader claims US could use aid effort as cover for spy ring

AMERICAN and Indian troops engaged in relief efforts for Sri Lanka might use the operation as a cover to spy on Tamil Tiger rebels, giving intelligence to the government to help it fight the insurgents, a rebel leader claimed yesterday.

“The attempt by the American and Indian troops to land in Sri Lanka is totally based on their political and military interests,” Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation leader Nallathamby Srikantha said.

“They may try to collect details to help the government crush the Tamil national struggle in a future conflict,” Mr Srikantha said. “We have to think how America, which still has the Tamil Tigers in its terrorist list ... will use its troops here.”