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