NEW DELHI, May 30 (UPI) -- The European Union has imposed a travel ban on Sri Lankan Tamil rebels and ordered the group's assets to be frozen in accounts in 25 countries.
EU foreign ministers Monday ordered the listing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam as a banned organization, the Hindu newspaper reported.
The decision was made at a meeting of the general affairs and external relations council in Brussels, western diplomats said.
They said the decision confirmed a recommendation by European officials to
constrain the insurgent movement on May 17. The diplomats said the EU decision would result in the freezing of LTTE assets in 25 countries across Europe and put an end to its fundraising efforts.
"Its a strong, symbolic message to the tigers. The Tigers would have to shut down their huge office Paris, used by Lawrence Thilagar for propaganda activities. Fund raising capacities of the LTTE would also be affected," an Indian foreign department official said.
European nations have become increasingly intolerant of the LTTE after its latest round of killings.
On May 17, the European parliament sharply criticized the militant group for attacking a vessel carrying 710 unarmed security force personnel. One gun boat was sunk, and 18 crew members were killed.
However, the European parliament said the LTTE did not represent all the Tamils.
"Allow for political pluralism and alternate democratic voices in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, which would secure the interests of all people and communities," lawmakers said.
