Ambassador Lunstead presents credentials to

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001684

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09-29-13
TAGS: PREL PTER EINV US CE LTTE
SUBJECT: Ambassador Lunstead presents credentials to
President Kumaratunga


(U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead.
Reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (C) The Ambassador, accompanied by the Deputy Chief
of Mission, called on President Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga on the evening of September 26 at her
official residence to present his credentials. In a
very brief ceremony (according to Sri Lankan practice,
no formal remarks were made or handed over),the
Ambassador presented his letters of credence and the
recall letter of his predecessor and conveyed to the
President the warm greetings of President Bush and
Secretary Powell. The President then invited the

SIPDIS
Ambassador to join her for tea in a neighboring room.


2. (C) The Ambassador opened the half-hour tea
discussion by noting that he was honored that the
President had taken the time to receive him on what must
be a difficult day for her -- the 44th anniversary of
her father's assassination. The Ambassador told the
President that her personal record of tragedy, with
family members murdered and a bomb attack on her that
left her injured, illustrated the tremendous sacrifices
she had endured in her pursuit of peace in Sri Lanka.
She should be proud of this commitment. The President
expressed her thanks for the Ambassador's sentiments.
She said that it indeed was a difficult day. She said
her security detail "prevailed on me" at the last minute
not to attend the anniversary commemoration in honor of
her father at Horagolla outside of Colombo since there
were concerns about LTTE "penetration" of the event.


3. (C) The President concurred that her family history
was a sad one but noted that it paralleled the sad
history of the country. "Our history shows a lack of
strong leaders. When we've had strong leaders they've
been killed." She then reviewed her efforts to promote
peace and political devolution over the years and
commented with some bitterness that if the current Prime
Minister had supported her efforts to accomplish what he
is now trying to accomplish, "maybe we would have peace
by now."


4. (C) President Kumaratunga turned to the LTTE and
told the Ambassador that the firm U.S. line against the
terrorist organization had, in her view, clearly had a
strong impact on the group. "You have held firm.
Others, like the EU and Norway, are too easily
hoodwinked." The Ambassador reviewed for the President
the mechanics of the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization
(FTO) process and told her that the group would be
redesignated in early October with a public
announcement. "Good," the President said. "I agree
with you." She noted with some vehemence that LTTE
leader Prabhakaran in particular was not to be trusted.
"Too many are duped by him."


5. (C) The Ambassador told the President that he was
accredited to the entire Sri Lankan government and that
he looked forward to working with both her and the Prime
Minister and with all other elements of the Sri Lankan
government. He noted that the U.S. stands ready to help
in any number of ways to promote peace and economic
development but that only Sri Lankans can do what needs
to be done. The President said she appreciated the
Ambassador's comments and agreed completely. She nodded
enthusiastically when the Ambassador said he would be
honored to meet with her on a regular basis to discuss
the issues of the day. "I look forward to it,"
President Kumaratunga said, suggesting they might meet
on a monthly basis.


6. (C) The conversation concluded with a discussion of
U.S. investment in Sri Lanka. The Ambassador gave the
President an overview of both actual U.S. commercial
activities and the many expressions of interest from
U.S. companies. The President was particularly
interested in potential U.S. involvement in the
information technology sector and told the Ambassador
that she would like to meet with Microsoft executives
during their upcoming visit.


7. (C) COMMENT. The President was gracious and cordial
although her bitterness quickly bubbled to the surface
when the LTTE and the UNP government were discussed.
Chief of Protocol commented that the half-hour
discussion was unusual, as such events normally last no
longer than ten minutes. The Ambassador will follow up
to establish a regular schedule of monthly meetings with
the President. END COMMENT.


8. (U) Minimize considered.

LUNSTEAD