Tamil Tigers fear aid could cover spying

American and Indian troops engaged in relief efforts for Sri Lanka might use the operation as a cover to spy on Tamil Tiger rebels, a rebel leader charged today.

“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 told Voice of Tigers radio, the official rebel mouthpiece.

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

The US has said it will deploy about 1,500 Marines to Sri Lanka, along with helicopters and hovercraft to help the victims of the tsunamis.

“The military presence is strictly for humanitarian purposes,” said US embassy spokesman, Philip Frayne. ”The military will be operating in the south of the country to clear rubble and rebuild infrastructure and help Sri Lankans to recover from the tragedy.”

An advance party of Marines has already arrived in Sri Lanka, visiting the southern city of Galle today, where thousands were killed by the waves.

Captain Peter Wilson said the troops will provide engineering assistance to repair roads and bridges and help in the distribution of food to the affected people.

India also lists the Tigers as a terrorist group. But Srikantha said the country’s past military experience on the tropical island would limit its role. Between 1987-90, about 1,200 Indian soldiers died in Sri Lanka fighting the rebels.

Tamil Tigers have fought a two-decade civil war in Sri Lanka demanding a separate state for ethnic minority Tamils.

About 65,000 people were killed in the conflict until a 2002 ceasefire. Both the US and India have consistently criticised the rebels for alleged truce violations.