OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 88 (06-11-03)

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001016 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06-11-13 TAGS: CE MV AGMT SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 88 (06-11-03) Classified by Ambassador E.Ashley Wills, Reasons 1.5 (b,d) CONTENTS: MALDIVIAN DIPNOTE RE GUANTANAMO - TWO SUSPECTED TIGERS NABBED IN COLOMBO MALDIVIAN DIPNOTE RE GUANTANAMO -------------- ¶1. (S) Please see our class email dated 6/10/03 re a dipnote received June 10 from the Maldives. In this dipnote, the Maldivian MFA states that it has heard that a Maldivian national held at Guantanamo Bay may be released soon. The MFA would like the USG to clarify the matter. (Note: In asking this question, the Maldivian MFA clearly wants to know whether to continue to push its long-standing request to send a team to interrogate this individual.) Please get back to us with any information re this matter ASAP. Thank you. (POL) TWO SUSPECTED TIGERS NABBED IN COLOMBO -------------- ¶2. (C) FYI: In a matter that is receiving a lot of press play here, two suspected LTTE cadre were reportedly stopped during a random police check in central Colombo on the evening of June 10. One of the suspects allegedly took cyanide to avoid being captured alive and is said to be in critical condition at a Colombo hospital. The other suspected cadre is in custody and is being questioned. (Note: It is possible that the suspects may be involved in trying to assassinate anti-LTTE Tamils. As we have reported, the LTTE has pretty clearly been involved in well over a dozen killings that have targeted Army informants and Tamil political opponents in recent weeks/months. This may be the first time that LTTE cadre involved in these killings have been caught.) (Note: In what may prove to be a related development, two police officers were reportedly captured by the LTTE late June 10 near Batticaloa in the east. There is speculation that the two policemen may be held by the LTTE until some sort of exchange is worked out for the two cadre captured in Colombo.) (POL) WILLS