Top rebel leader discusses child soldiers
Killinochi, Sri Lanka
Introduction: UNICEF issued a report last week claiming that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam or LTT in Sri Lanka maintain over 700 child soldiers in their rebel military force. The report alleges an increase in recruitment, undermining a plan set-up between the rebels and the international community. In an exclusive interview with FSRN, the LTT’s top political head admitted the numbers may be correct but said there’s no need to recruit children, as a cease-fire agreement between the rebels and the government has shifted the LTT focus to diplomacy. He said it’s better to have child soldiers than street children. Zack Baddorf has more.