Iraq Donors Conference: Ambassador reviews

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001809 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, IO, NEA NSC FOR E. MILLARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 10-17-13 TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID CE IZ SP UN SUBJECT: Iraq Donors Conference: Ambassador reviews the Secretary's message with Foreign Minister Fernando Ref: State 294287 (U) Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead. Reasons 1.5 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador Lunstead reviewed Secretary Powell's message on the upcoming Iraq Donors Conference with Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando during their October 17 meeting. Fernando listened intently to the Secretary's points and seemed genuinely interested in SIPDIS the conference. He noted, however, that the Spanish President had sent the original invitation letter for the conference directly to President Kumaratunga. This potentially raised cohabitation problems given Sri Lanka's divided government. Fernando said he would raise the matter with the President when they met immediately after the meeting with the Ambassador. With the conference coming up next week, he promised he would get back to us as soon as possible. ¶2. (U) Minimize considered. LUNSTEAD