Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02COLOMBO1664
2002-09-09 10:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 126 (09-09-02)

Tags:  AMGT CE UNGA 
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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
----------------
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