As Tamil Tigers get ready for their important

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002000

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 11-19-13
TAGS: PTER PGOV PINR CE LTTE
SUBJECT: As Tamil Tigers get ready for their important
annual address, chief spokesman Balasingham reemerges

Refs: Colombo 1989, and previous

(U) Classified by James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of
Mission. Reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Chief Tamil Tiger spokesman Anton
Balasingham is set to resume his duties following a
hiatus of several months reportedly caused by health
problems. Balasingham's reemergence comes as Tiger
leader V. Prabhakaran prepares for his "Heroes' Day"
address, the LTTE's most important annual recitation of
policy. Amid word that Balasingham is helping craft the
November 27 speech, there are no indications as of yet
that the Tigers are planning any marked policy shifts in
this year's version. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) BALASINGHAM REEMERGES: Chief Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) spokesman Anton Balasingham
is set to resume his duties following a hiatus of
several months (see Reftels). According to a
November 18 posting on "TamilNet," a website that is
almost invariably authoritative for LTTE-related
matters, Balasingham will resume his duties following
several months of rest taken earlier this year due to
"deteriorating health." By way of explaining his health
situation, the posting asserts that the London-based
Balasingham was advised by doctors not to travel for a
period because he "suffers from diabetes, coronary
conditions, and a transplanted kidney." The article
states that Balasingham "is now well enough to resume
his duties." The TamilNet posting goes on to relate
that Balasingham will travel to LTTE-controlled areas of
Sri Lanka in January 2004 to discuss the LTTE's "peace
strategy" with LTTE leader V. Prabakharan and other
senior Tiger officials.


3. (C) With its detailed review of health matters, the
TamilNet posting appeared to be putting a damper on
speculation that Balasingham's absence was due to his
being edged out of LTTE leadership ranks for political
reasons (see Reftels). When asked, Joseph
Pararajasingham, a Tamil National Alliance MP of
strongly pro-LTTE inclinations, told polchief
November 19 that he thought Balasingham's hiatus had
been completely due to his longstanding health problems
and that politics had nothing to do with it.
Pararajasingham allowed that S.P. Thamilchelvam, the
group's Sri Lanka-based political chief, had a "much
higher profile now" after replacing Balasingham as chief
LTTE representative at numerous functions in recent
months.


4. (SBU) NOVEMBER 27 ADDRESS: Balasingham's
reemergence comes as LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran prepares
for his annual "Heroes' Day" address. First celebrated
by the LTTE in 1989, the event commemorates "Lt.
Shankar," a close associate of Prabhakaran's who died in
combat in 1982. Some of the impetus for the "Heroes'
Day" address and its attendant celebrations no doubt
also flows from the fact that Prabhakaran's birthday is
November 26. (Prabhakaran will be 49 years old.)
Through the years, the speech has become the group's
most important annual recitation of its policies. The
2001 iteration, for example, was quite accommodating,
heralding the LTTE's support for the commencement of a
peace process with the GSL. The 2002 version was
somewhat more combative, but it was still pro-peace
process.


5. (SBU) "Heroes' Day" is typically marked by large
LTTE-instigated rallies held throughout the north/east.
Contacts have told us that this year's event will be
held on an even larger and grander scale than in the
past. In the meantime, unconfirmed reports indicate
that the Tigers have been forcefully soliciting
contributions from Tamil civilians to fund the
November 27 commemoration.


6. (C) There is word that Balasingham's return to his
duties may have been timed to allow him to assist in the
drafting of this year's speech. Balasingham has
traditionally had a hand in putting together past
"Heroes' Day" speeches, many of which bear his clear
imprimatur in their somewhat dogmatic, dialectical
style.


7. (C) COMMENT: If one takes LTTE claims at face
value, Balasingham's return is simply a matter of an
improvement in his health. That could be true. At the
same time, if he was actually on the outs with the
group's leadership, the LTTE might have decided that it
had to bring the experienced, knowledgeable Balasingham
back right away because of the recent, confusing rush of
political events in the south. Regarding this year's
"Heroes' Day" address, pro-LTTE Tamil politicians have
told us that they do not expect any marked policy
shifts. That said, the LTTE inner circle usually keeps
the speech close hold, so surprises are always possible.
END COMMENT.


8. (U) Minimize considered.

LUNSTEAD