Friday, May 27 2005 12:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: Norwegian truce monitors have warned that Tamil Tigers acquiring "air assets" could "destabilise" not only the Island's security, but also that of neighbouring India.

The 60-member Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had an airstrip in the Island's north, although it had not seen any rebel aircraft in action and warned that any move by Government forces to bomb it could lead to resumption of war.

"We have seen the airstrip from the air while flying in a Sri Lankan military helicopter on May 4, 2004," SLMM chief Hagrup Haukland told the Foreign Correspondents' Association of Sri Lanka last night (May 26, 2005).

However, he said they were unable to investigate Sri Lankan Government complaints that the rebels had at least two light aircraft because the Tigers did not allow them access to the area.

"Not allowing us access itself is a violation of the ceasefire agreement," Haukland said.

"An air capability, the air assets mean a hell of a lot in this sort of warfare," Haukland said, adding it could undermine not only Sri Lanka's security but also that of neighbouring India and the entire region.

"It not only destabilises Sri Lanka's security, but India's security as well."

"If the Tigers fly, it will be a violation of Sri Lankan airspace and also of international law because the air space is a matter only for the Sri Lankan Government," he said.

"If the (Sri Lankan) air force bombs the air strip, then it will be war. If bombs fall, we pull out."