Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03COLOMBO1114
2003-06-25 10:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

COLOMBO EAC MEETING June 25, 2003

Tags:  ASEC PTER CASC CE 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001114 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA AND SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X1, X6
TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING June 25, 2003

REF: State 176812

(U) Classified by S.V. Wright, Regional Security Officer,
reason 1.5(C) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001114

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA AND SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X1, X6
TAGS: ASEC PTER CASC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING June 25, 2003

REF: State 176812

(U) Classified by S.V. Wright, Regional Security Officer,
reason 1.5(C) and (D).


1. (SBU) On June 25, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action
Committee (EAC) met to consider our local security posture
during upcoming July 4 events. Charge' chaired the EAC.


2. (C) The EAC agreed that Colombo is not at a high state
of risk. Most local attention continues to be directed
toward GSL/LTTE friction following the recent sinking of an
LTTE resupply ship off Sri Lanka's northeast coast, and
continued killings of LTTE opponents by apparent LTTE
"pistol group" assassins. The EAC also weighed potential
risks from internal groups, and concluded there is no
indication that either the LTTE or the JVP has adopted the
US as a target. The EAC members looked at Colombo as a
potential "soft target" for terrorist groups from other
countries and all agreed that there was no evidence that Al-
Qaida or similar groups were present in or posed a threat in
Colombo at this time. All agreed that they did not perceive
any increased risk as we approach planned July 4 events.


3. (C) Four official and unofficial events are planned:

- The official Vin d'honneur at the COMR with invited
official guests will be held mid-day July 3. The guest list
has been vetted and RSO will arrange additional police
presence for security and traffic control. Local Guard and
Surveillance Detection assets will also be enhanced. COMR
compound access procedures will include visual
identification of guests by FSN and security staff.

- During the afternoon of July 4, Consular Chief will
hold a representational event at his residence with 30
invited consular officers from other missions in Colombo.
RSO will provide a local guard during the event.

- A late afternoon/early evening barbecue will be held at
the MSG BEQ on July 4. RSO will arrange for limited
additional police presence in the neighborhood, and
increased local guard and surveillance detection assets.

- Also during the evening of July 4, AmCham will host an
event for all Americans at the Taj Samudra Hotel on Galle
Rd. RSO is coordinating with AmCham to ensure any requests
for additional GSL security support are being taken
seriously by the Sri Lanka Police, Directorate of Internal
Intelligence (DII) and hotel staff.


4. (SBU) The EAC considered reissuing our in-country
Consular Notice to all Americans. The committee determined
that it is still current and thus no alteration of the
notice was needed at this time, and decided not to issue any
additional notice unless the Department made a worldwide
announcement.


5. (U) The EAC will reconvene as events warrant.

CAMP