ICC: Entry into force of non-surrender of

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001115 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, L, PM/AT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KTIA PGOV MOPS CE MV KICC SUBJECT: ICC: Entry into force of non-surrender of nationals agreements Refs: (A) SA/INS/Colombo 06-21-03 class email - (B) Colombo 637, and previous (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Per Ref A, Mission was asked to review whether Sri Lanka's and the Maldives' International Criminal Court (ICC) non-surrender of nationals agreements with the U.S. have entered into force. The situation is the following: -- Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan MFA has confirmed that the ICC Article 98 non-surrender accord it signed with the U.S. in November 2002 has received the required Cabinet approval for entry into force. The accord, however, is currently being cleared by the appropriate GSL ministers as a formality. Mission has provided the GSL a dipnote confirming that the agreement is in force in the U.S. The Foreign Secretary said the GSL would reply after interagency clearance, expected to take no more than two weeks. We will follow up, if necessary. -- Maldives: The Maldivian MFA has confirmed that the non-surrender accord it signed with the U.S. in early April is in force. Mission has provided the GoRM a dipnote confirming that the agreement is in force in the U.S. We expect a similar dipnote from the Maldivian government shortly. ¶2. (U) Minimize considered. CAMP