OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 51 (11/20/03)

S E C R E T COLOMBO 002011

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/13
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 51 (11/20/03)

CLASSIFIED BY DCM JAMES F. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.5 b and
d.

CONTENTS: ESF
MALDIVES
LATEST ON POLITICAL CRISIS
- SEIZURE OF UNMANNED SPY PLANES BY SL CUSTOMS
- EU COMMISSIONER TO VISIT NEXT WEEK

ESF
---


1. (SBU) We understand from AID that 04 global ESF levels
are significantly lower than expected. Any SA views on
what this might mean? (DCM)

Maldives
--------------


2. (S) You will see a frontchannel reporting that the
GoRM has officially asked that their Guantanamo detainee be
sent home. (DCM)

LATEST ON POLITICAL CRISIS
--------------

3. (C) FYI. G.L. Peiris, key GSL peace process
negotiator, reportedly made conciliatory remarks toward the
President during his November 20 weekly press briefing. He
is quoted as stating that the President and her party
should have a role in government decision-making. In a
separate conversation on November 20, Mano Tittawella, a
presidential adviser, echoed Peiris' seemingly cooperative
tone, saying that the both sides in the "Committee of
Officials" have had friendly discussions. The Ambassador
and the DCM are scheduled to meet with Tittawella and Harim
Peiris, her press spokesman, early next week and will check
out how the discussions are faring at that time, a little
longer into the committee process. The fact that G.L.
Peiris, who is usually a hard-liner toward the President,
is speaking in such moderate tones could be a sign that the
current crisis is abating. (POL/ECON)

SEIZURE OF UNMANNED SPY PLANES BY SL CUSTOMS
--------------

4. (C) FYI. On November 20, the DAILY NEWS, an English
language daily, reported that Sri Lankan customs officials
had seized two unmanned spy planes and other sensitive
radio equipment at the Colombo port. Capable of either
being fitted with photographic equipment or being loaded
with explosives, the miniature aircraft were said to be the
first to be detected in Sri Lanka. The planes were
unearthed in a container shipment sent by a firm that has
been accused of smuggling goods in the past. Although
there is no indication of where the items were headed, the
Tigers have attempted to gain airborne surveillance
equipment in the past. (POL/DAO)

EU COMMISSIONER TO VISIT HERE WEEK
--------------

5. (C) FYI. Chris Patten, the External Relations
Commissioner for the European Council, will visit Sri Lanka
from November 25-26. According to the local EU mission,
Patten is scheduled to meet with the President, PM, a host
of MPs from the UNF, Opposition, and Muslim delegation, as
well as the four co-chairs and civil society leaders.
Patten is also slated to take a trip to Kilinochchi for a
meeting with the Tigers. At this point, he is slated to
meet with Prabhakaran. (POL)

LUNSTEAD