All is well that ends well. The ultimatum given to the Centre by the All party meet in Tamil Nadu ends today. The question is if it has ended well. It has and it hasn't.

The External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee has said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is satisifed with the initiative the Centre has taken to help Tamils caught in the conflict between the Sri Lankan army and LTTE. And, what has the Government of India done during the fortnight of ultimatum? It has held discussions with the Sri Lankan Special Envoy and is said to have 'obtained' assurances. The Government of India made it abundantly clear to Sri Lanka that there could be no military solution to the ethnic issue. India has also called on Sri Lanka to give due consideration to political solution of the problem. With regard to the firing by Sri Lankan navy on Indian fishing vessels, Pranab Mukherjee has offered a practical solution that Indian fishermen be provided identity cards and badges whenever they crossed into international maritime waters.

Well, what was the ultimatum on? The Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu would resign if the Centre does not come forward to ensure a ceasefire in Sri Lanka within two weeks. The question is has a ceasefire been ensured?

The answer is provided by the Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi. While clarifying that the party does not take a stand on the military action against the LTTE by the Sri Lankan army, he says, "Congress believes that sovereign action against a terrorist organisation, which remains banned by Indian laws, should not be interfered with by another sovereign country,"

Well, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is satisfied. And, all is well that ends.