Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03COLOMBO1826
2003-10-21 11:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

In meeting with the Ambassador, Defense

Tags:  PGOV MOPS PTER PHSA KPAO CE NO 
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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 SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001826 

SIPDIS

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

PLEASE ALSO PASS TOPEC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10-21-13
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PTER PHSA KPAO CE NO
SUBJECT: In meeting with the Ambassador, Defense
Minister reviews recent controversy involving monitors

Refs: (A) Colombo 1808, and previous

- (B) USDAO Colombo Ce IIR 6 816 0010 04

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001826

SIPDIS

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

PLEASE ALSO PASS TOPEC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10-21-13
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PTER PHSA KPAO CE NO
SUBJECT: In meeting with the Ambassador, Defense
Minister reviews recent controversy involving monitors

Refs: (A) Colombo 1808, and previous

- (B) USDAO Colombo Ce IIR 6 816 0010 04

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: In an October 20 meeting with the
Ambassador, Defense Minister Marapana related that based
on what he understood the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
(SLMM) had inadvertently thwarted a recent attempt by
the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) to intercept a suspected Tiger
arms ship. In light of the incident, Marapana said new
operating procedures had to be developed with the SLMM.
Marapana's calm reaction was worlds away from that of
the press which accused the monitors of "tipping off"
the Tigers. This latest incident comes at a time of
increasing discontent within the military over the
SLMM's inability to resolve Tiger ceasefire violations.
END SUMMARY.


2. (C) DEFENSE MINISTER CONFIRMS INCIDENT: The
Ambassador met with Defense Minister Tilak Marapana on
October 20. During the discussion, Marapana confirmed
the broad contours (with one key distinction) of press
reports about an incident that took place off the
northeast coast on October 16. According to Marapana,
early on October 16 the SLN had received what appears to
have been reliable reports that a Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arms resupply boat was in
international waters off the northeastern coastal town
of Mullaitivu, a well-known LTTE base of operations.
Prior to searching for the Tiger ship and per
established procedure, the SLN contacted the SLMM to
arrange for one of the group's monitors to be present on
board the naval vessels sent out for the search.
(Note: The inclusion of an SLMM member by the SLN
during such searches was agreed to after the sinking of
an alleged LTTE ship in June where no monitoring
personnel were present.) Marapana said the GSL had
reason to believe that on receiving this information
someone in the SLMM telephoned the LTTE and asked
whether there was an LTTE boat in the area. Perhaps
acting on this information, the LTTE boat escaped the
SLN's reconnaissance net (see Para 6 for further
information regarding the reported boat). Contrary to
the press reports (see below),Marapana said he believed
that the SLMM's efforts were not an atempt to help the
Tigers escape detection.


3. (C) While agreeing that the exclusion of the SLMM
from SLN operations was not an option, Marapana admitted
that different operating procedures needed to be
developed to ensure that such incidents did not happen
in the future. Marapana noted that the Defense Ministry
and the SLMM were working to improve coordination.


4. (SBU) THE PRESS REPORTS: As mentioned above,
various press reports about the incident in English- and
Sinhalese language media vilified the SLMM over the
incident. The reports, which were probably generated by
leaks from the military, essentially accused the SLMM of
warning the Tigers, so that its boat was able to get
away.


5. (C) When contacted on October 21 by poloff, Agnes
Bragadottir, the SLMM spokesperson, was chagrined about
the press reports. While admitting that the SLMM had
contacted the LTTE about its boat's location, she
commented that the SLMM had no intention whatsoever of
"tipping off" the Tigers. She confirmed that the SLMM
was committed to working with the Defense Ministry to
improve coordination.


6. (C) COMMENT: As reviewed in Ref B, this latest
incident comes at a time of increasing discontent within
the military over the SLMM's inability to resolve Tiger
ceasefire violations. In particular, the military is
furious that the SLMM has been unable to resolve the
LTTE's unauthorized occupation of the small "Wan Ela"
camp near Trincomalee. Interestingly, in analyzing the
October 16 incident, the navy is apparently now unsure
whether there was a LTTE resupply boat to begin with.
END COMMENT.


7. (U) Minimize considered.

LUNSTEAD