The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have released the sixteen Tamil orphans who were abducted on December 23rd by the tigers to be conscripted as “child” soldiers.

The tigers who refused to release the children in the age group of 11 – 14 despite entreaties by the Catholic church were finally compelled to release them because of strong protests by some bold and conscientious Tamil catholic priests.

Thirty Tamil catholic priests had planned to commence a “fast unto death protest fast in a Church from January 1st 2009.

LTTE’s ’93 Base’ also under Army control

Troops of the Army’s Task Force 1 advancing towards Kilinochchi town are reported to have scored another victory against LTTE terrorists by gaining control over the Karadipokku junction, located between Paranthan and Kilinochchi along the A-9 main road by last evening (January 1).

The Karadipokku junction is the northern edge of the Kilinochchi garrison and the capture of this strategically vital place is yet another sign of the imminent fall of Kilinochchi, according to defence analysts.

Statement by the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on the Israeli’s Military Aggression against the Gaza Strip in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) strongly condemns the military aggression, including airstrikes, carried out by Israel, the occupying Power, on the Gaza Strip, which has caused death and injuries to hundreds of civilians, including children, and destruction of Palestinian property and infrastructure.  

This unacceptable military escalation by Israel constitutes a grave breach of international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, fuels the cycle of violence and threatens international peace and security as well as the fragile peace process between the two sides.

Press Release by the NAM, OIC and the Arab Group in Geneva  

Geneva, 30, December 2008

A delegation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Arab Group and Palestine in Geneva met today the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr Bekele Geleta, President of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Mr. Jakob Kellenbergerand a representative of the Director General of the World Health Organization in the absence of the Director General today. The delegation impressed upon the heads of these three humanitarian organizations to pressure Israel to stop the military action, end the violation of human rights standards and international humanitarian law and allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza.