OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 93 (06-19-03)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001079 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06-19-13 TAGS: AMGT CE MV SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 93 (06-19-03) Classified by Joseph L. Novak, Charge d'Affaires, Reasons: 1.5 (b,d) CONTENTS: BAIL REFUSED FOR FORMER DEP. DEFENSE MINISTER - NO JAZZ IN JAFFNA - PM SPEECH - VISA REQUEST FOR PROPOSED SRI LANKAN EMBOFF BAIL REFUSED FOR FORMER DEP. DEFENSE MINISTER -------------- ¶1. (C) FYI: Former Dep. defense minister (and close relative of President Kumaratunga) Anuruddha Ratwatte was again refused bail by a Sri Lankan lower court on June ¶18. As previously reported, Ratwatte and 14 others (including two of his sons) are incarcerated due to their alleged involvement in the murder of 10 Muslims that took place on election day in December 2001. The generally pro-Kumaratunga Supreme Court had earlier directed the lower court to consider the bail applications. It is not clear whether the Supreme Court will intervene to overrule the lower court. (POL) NO JAZZ IN JAFFNA -------------- ¶2. (C) FYI. In preparation for a Mission-planned cultural event in Jaffna, our PAO went north on June 18 to meet with the Additional Government Agent (AGA) and tour possible concert venues. The PAO received a cool reception from the AGA, who suggested that the event be postponed until September or October from the planned July 23 date. This response was in sharp contrast to a June 16 meeting between the AGA and Pol FSN, when the idea of the cultural event -- a jazz trio -- was warmly received. The change in attitude from June 16 to June 18 is most likely due to the Tigers being briefed -- and deciding that they did not like the jazz idea. (Note: We don't think the Tigers have anything against Chet Baker, per se. The group, however, has been assiduously blocking other efforts to return life in Jaffna to normal. The group, for example, scrubbed the re-opening of the Jaffna library earlier this year.) In any case, Public Affairs is relocating the venue to Kandy, which is unfortunate because there has not been a USG-sponsored cultural event in Jaffna for many a year. (POL/PAO) PM SPEECH -------------- ¶3. (SBU) PM Wickremesinghe is slated to give a (pre- recorded) national address re the peace process tonight (June 19) on national TV. (Note: Per yesterday's o/i note on this, we had originally been told that the speech would consist of old video of the PM's remarks made at Tokyo, but it now seems the PM is giving a brand new speech.) We will be in touch with you if he makes any dramatic announcements. (POL) VISA REQUEST FOR PROPOSED SRI LANKAN EMBOFF -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Per our o/i note from June 18 and previous e- mail traffic: In regards to the diplomatic visa for Ilankoon Adikari, who the MFA has proposed for a public relations slot at the SL Consulate General in Los Angeles, we request that this appointment be turned off by the SL MFA without our having to reject the application. As was previously mentioned in the June 18 Desk(Waller) - Post(MWilliams) email, Ambassador Subasinghe had offered to "kill" the case. The Department, however, did not think this was necessary at the time and had said Colombo could deny the visa if it was not justifiable. ¶5. (SBU) In Mission's view, it would be far more favorable if the GSL took action on this issue without a formal denial from the Consular Section in Colombo. Therefore, Mission would request that Ambassador Subasinghe be taken up on his offer to "kill" the case. This would result in the same outcome, but would be far less contentious and not cause unnecessary difficulties (which might include the MFA trying to take reciprocal measures against us). (CONS) NOVAK