LTTE leader Prabhakaran's annual hero's day

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002206

SIPDIS

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11-29-12
TAGS: PGOV PTER PINS PHUM PREL CE LTTE
SUBJECT: LTTE leader Prabhakaran's annual hero's day
speech was a mixed bag of positive and negative comments

Ref: Colombo 2195

(U) Classified by Lewis Amselem, DCM. Reasons 1.5
(b,d).


1. (C) On November 27 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran made his annual
"Hero's Day" speech. The government of Sri Lanka has
commented favorably on the speech, highlighting
Prabhakaran's acceptance of regional autonomy instead of
a separate state. Prabhakaran's willingness to commit
to a goal less than independent Eelam on the day
commemorating the "heroes" that have died trying to
establish Eelam is a significant positive sign. The
address was not entirely positive, however. Prabhakaran
indicated that if LTTE demands were not met, it would
have no choice but to secede from Sri Lanka. He also
noted that the Tigers would go back to using violence if
necessary. A copy of the text was faxed to SA/INS.


2. (U) Some of the positive aspects of the speech
included the following statements:

-- We are prepared to consider favorably a political
framework that offers substantial regional autonomy and
self-government in our homeland on the basis of our
right to internal self-determination.

-- If a reasonable settlement to the Tamil national
question could be realized by peaceful means we will
make every endeavor, with honesty and sincerity to
pursue that path.

-- The present government has been taking concrete
actions redressing the urgent and immediate problems of
our people.


3. (U) Some of the negative aspects of the speech
included the following statements:

-- If our demand for regional self-rule is rejected we
have no alternative other than to secede and form an
independent state.

-- If the Sinhala chauvinistic forces, for their own
petty political reasons scuttle this peace effort ...
the Tamil people will be compelled to pursue the path of
secession and political independence.

-- The military occupation is suffocating the civilian
masses and causing tensions. Jaffna, which is the
cultural heartland of the Tamil people, has turned into
an open prison.


4. (SBU) Mission plans on using the following "if
asked" press guidance:

Begin text:

The United States has carefully reviewed the annual
address delivered on November 27 by Velupillai
Prabhakaran, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE).

We are encouraged by Mr. Prabhakaran's assertion that
regional autonomy -- and not separatism -- is the goal
of the LTTE. We also welcome the expressions of support
for the peace process and for Norway's facilitation
effort.

Regrettably, Mr. Prabhakaran ignored the opportunity of
this annual message to renounce violence, warning
rather, that the LTTE would return to terrorism -- and
to its original objective of an Eelam -- if it is unable
to achieve its aspirations through dialogue. We
emphasize once again that the international community is
awaiting the LTTE's renunciation of violence.

As our Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said
in Oslo, we urge the LTTE to make a "public renunciation
of terrorism and of violence - to make it clear to the
people of Sri Lanka and indeed to the international
community -- that the LTTE has abandoned its armed
struggle for a separate state; and instead accepts the
sovereignty of a Sri Lankan government that respects and
protects the rights of all its people."

End text.

Wills