MIA Refutes Terrorist Accusations

Grammy nominated singer M.I.A. has entered the political arena once again, to deny that she is supporting terrorism.

M.I.A. was born in Sri Lanka, and from an early age was aware of the ongoing conflict between the Tamil people and the ruling government. The singer's father was a politician whose active support of the terrorist organisation Tamil Tigers placed the family in great danger.

Fleeing to London, M.I.A. became an artist before being persuaded to try her hand at music. Two celebrated albums followed before her single 'Paper Planes' became one of 2008's defining songs in the United States.

However M.I.A. has never forgotten her roots. Recent outspoken statements on the situation in Sri Lanka have been met with outrage by some, as the conflict between rebel Tigers and government forces continues.

M.I.A. was recently named amongst Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, and used the opportunity to highlight the problems in her homeland, urging talkshow icon Oprah Winfrey to speak out on the plight of the Tamil people.

Later, the singer threw her weight behind a controversial aid mission but has often been criticised as supporting terrorism.

In a new blog the singer refutes these allegations, and to her credit has never admitted support of the Tamil Tigers. In a statement last summer the singer stated "I don't support terrorism and never have. As a Sri Lankan that fled war and bombings, my music is the voice of the civilian refugee."

A new MySpace blog continues to outline her beliefs, linking to a BBC report on the situation in Sri Lanka.

"SO NOW WE ARE ALL TERRORIST SUPPORTERS? INCLUDING THE UN, RED CROSS, HILORY CLINTON, CHANNEL 4 , BBC, MILLIBAND, U.K PARLIMENT, ME so on and so on

"BECAUSE WE WANT THIS TO STOP! ...

"SEEEEE YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE MY BACKGROUND OR BE A TAMIL OR HAVE A DAD LIKE MINE TO BE ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING THE LTTE. ANYONE SUPPORTING TAMIL LIFE WILL GET IT. IVE LEARNT TO GET PAST IT, ALL I KNOW IS THAT I CERTAINLY WONT BE GOING ON A HOLIDAY TO SRI LANKA WHEN THE TOURISM ADS START POPPING UP IN A FEW YEARS , LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED, BECAUSE THE UGLYNESS IS HIDDEN IN THE NORTH UNDER ALOT OF MUD."