Nadesan says LTTE is still strong enough to face Sri Lanka military

Head of LTTE political wing, P Nadesan, told the BBC that the LTTE has experienced similar statements during their 30-year old struggle against Sri Lankan state.

The recently appointed political head was reacting to Sri Lanka Army Commander, Sarath Fonseka's comments that the LTTE will be defeated before the end of the year.

Forceful recruitment

Speaking over the phone with BBC Colombo Correspondent Roland Buerk, the former LTTE police chief denied accusations that his organisation forcefully recruits civilians for combat.

People, they like to join us. We never force the people. LTTE is a people's organisation P Nadesan

It was the first interview in English since he was appointed the head of the political wing, following the assassination of SP Thamilselvan on 02 November, last year.

"No. People, they like to join us. We never force the people. LTTE is a people's organisation," P Nadesan told the BBC.

When pointed out by Roland Buerk that, during his last trip to Kilinochchi, he himself met people who were forced to join the LTTE, the political wing head once again denied doing so.

	Gen. Fonseka has reportedly vowed to defeat LTTE before the year end

The BBC correspondent questioned whether the LTTE regrets initiating a conflict regarding a sluice gate in Mavil Aru as many believe that was the turning point of the conflict that led to escalation of violence.

The Mavil Aru incident, P Nadesan said, was an issue that could be resolved in dialogue if the government wanted to.

He accused the government of using the incident to escalate the incident rather than trying to resolve the matter.

LTTE 'losing the war'

The LTTE also denied they are reverting to guerrilla tactics as the outfit is 'losing the war'.

"We will never revert to guerilla warfare," Nadesan said, denying accusations that the LTTE was behind the bomb attack in Nugegoda and the claymore attack that killed minister DM Dassanayake.

	Nadesan replaced Thamilselvan after he was killed

"We are a conventional force. We will launch attacks on military targets but we will not target civilians," P Nadesan said.

The LTTE also accused the Sri Lankan authorities of exaggerating LTTE casualty figures.

Asked whether LTTE is trying to pretend as 'good guys' by asking for the full implementation of the CFA, P Nadesan said it was the government that withdrew from it not the Tamil Tigers.