OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 126 (09-09-02)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001664 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL DEPT FOR SA/INS FROM THE CHARGE E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/12 TAGS: AMGT CE UNGA SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 126 (09-09-02) CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE LEWIS AMSELEM. REASONS 1.5 B, D. CONTENTS: PM SCHEDULE IN NY PRO-PEACE MARCH CONFUSION RE PROPOSED AMENDMENT NORWEGIAN AMB RE TALKS MALDIVES: ATTEMPTED HIJACKING PM MEETING IN NY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Milinda Moragoda called Charge today to check whether a U.S. principal could attend a GSL-proposed meeting hosted by the GSL that would include PM Wickremesinghe, the Norwegian FM, Kofi Annan, and a U.S. rep such as D. (Note: Per our class e-mails to you, Moragoda had mentioned the idea of such a meeting to us late last week.) The precise timeframe of the proposed meeting has not yet been set, but the GSL's plan is to have it take place in the September 15-17 timeframe. We are not sure how much the proposed meeting has been worked with the UN yet. The purpose of the meeting would be to underscore international support for the Sri Lankan peace process. What advice should we give Moragoda on which U.S. official might be able attend? (POL) PRO-PEACE MARCH -------------- ¶2. (C) The UNP is sponsoring a pro-peace process march in Colombo today. It's supposed to be quite large. The GSL apparently wants to remain well ahead of the curve vis-a-vis any possible protests against its lifting of the ban on the LTTE. So far, the JVP and anti-LTTE deproscription elements in the PA have remained relatively muted in their criticisms. We expect the JVP might try to mobilize some street actions (rallies, demos) soon, however. (POL) CONFUSION RE PROPOSED AMENDMENT -------------- ¶3. (C) We have heard reports that the GSL plans to table in Parliament soon its much discussed constitutional amendment limiting presidential powers to call new elections. There is some confusion as to whether or not the draft amendment will also include language allowing for crossover voting in Parliament. There is also confusion as to whether President Kumaratunga will concede and support the amendment in the end. We'll report more as things get clearer, but wanted you to know that it appears we're at make-or-break time re the proposed amendment. (POL) NORWEGIAN AMB RE TALKS -------------- ¶4. (C) Please pass to EUR/NB and EAP/BCLTV: Norwegian Ambassador Westborg told Charge today that he did not expect the September 16-18 talks in Thailand to be too substantive at this point. The focus of the two sides would be establishing cordial atmospherics and agreement on modalities, i.e., settling on the structure, agenda, and date for future talks. There also would be some discussion re development-related issues, such as demining, etc. The sides seem set to issue a joint call for international humanitarian and demining assistance at the close of the meeting. Westborg reported that the GSL for its part would not mind discussing substantive issues, but the LTTE has indicated that it is not ready yet. One reason it is apparently not ready is that Balasingham has not yet received his detailed briefing from Prabhakaran on the way forward. (POL) MALDIVES: ATTEMPTED HIJACKING -------------- ¶5. (U) We have sent front-channel reports re the attempted hijacking of an Air Seychelles flight near the Maldives. AMSELEM