A senior Tamil Tiger leader has apologized to India for the 1991 assassination of India's former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber.
Tamil Tigers' chief negotiator Anton Balasingham described it as a monumental historical tragedy for which he expressed his deep regret. In an interview with India's NDTV news channel, he called on the government and people of India to be magnanimous and to put the past behind.
Soon after the assassination, The Tamil Tigers said they killed Mr. Gandhi to protest India's involvement in Sri Lanka's civil war.
Balasingham's remarks are the strongest expression of regret so far from the rebels.
Mr. Gandhi was assassinated as he campaigned for reelection in South India. He was killed by a woman suicide bomber who exploded a bomb wrapped around her waist as she knelt to touch Mr. Gandhi's feet in respect. Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
