OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 90 (06-16-03)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001052 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06-16-13 TAGS: CE MV AGMT LTTE SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 90 (06-16-03) Classified by Ambassador E.Ashley Wills, Reasons 1.5 (b,d) CONTENTS: MFA REQUEST RE IRAQ - AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT ONE LAST TIME MFA REQUEST RE IRAQ -------------- ¶1. (SBU) URGENT: MFA Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo sent us a fax today (June 16) confirming that Sri Lanka's ambassador to Iraq, M.M.A. Farouque, plans to return to Baghdad at some point this week. (Note: Farouque is now in Sri Lanka. By the way, we have already passed the MFA the info re diplomats in Iraq contained in State 163526, dated June 14). The MFA had two urgent requests: -- The MFA would like for Farouque to be able to touch base with the U.S. ambassador to Jordan at some point this week (re the Amman-Baghdad road, and associated logistics and other arrangements, etc.). Please check with NEA and ask whether we can provide Ambassador Farouque an appropriately high-level contact (ambassador, DCM, etc.) at Embassy Amman that he can discuss such issues with. Phone numbers would be helpful, too. -- The MFA wants to set up an appointment for Farouque with Ambassador Bremer in Baghdad as soon as feasible. Please advise us how to answer this request. We would appreciate anything that we can pass to the MFA as soon as possible, given that Farouque seems to be leaving shortly. Thank you. (POL) AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT ONE LAST TIME -------------- ¶2. (C) Before departing Sri Lanka early tomorrow (June 17),Ambassador Wills met with President Kumaratunga one last time on June 13. Kumaratunga asked about the peace process. The Ambassador remarked that it was at a turning point, with much depending on how the Tigers reacted from here on out. Kumaratunga then asked whether the USG would assist Sri Lanka if the Tigers re-commenced hostilities. The Ambassador noted that that was a hypothetical. It was almost certainly the case, however, that the international community would be deeply concerned and would carefully monitor the situation. Re cohabitation, the president placed all the blame on the PM and the government. The Ambassador demurred on that, noting that both sides had a role in the problems and had roles in clearing things up. Kumaratunga backed up, claiming that she was at most "25 percent" in the wrong. (POL) WILLS