Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03COLOMBO277
2003-02-18 11:33:00
SECRET
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

MANPADS: Information for possible bilateral

Tags:  PREL PARM PTER ETTC CE MV 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T COLOMBO 000277 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2-18-13
TAGS: PREL PARM PTER ETTC CE MV
SUBJECT: MANPADS: Information for possible bilateral
discussions with Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Ref: State 36352

(U) Classified by W. Lewis Amselem, Deputy Chief of
Mission. Reasons 1.5 (b,d)

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000277

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2-18-13
TAGS: PREL PARM PTER ETTC CE MV
SUBJECT: MANPADS: Information for possible bilateral
discussions with Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Ref: State 36352

(U) Classified by W. Lewis Amselem, Deputy Chief of
Mission. Reasons 1.5 (b,d)


1. (S) Per Reftel, Mission's input for the request for
information on Man Portable Air Defense Systems
(MANPADS) follows. Responses are keyed to the questions
in Reftel Paras 7-13.

Sri Lanka
--------------


2. (S) Begin Text:

-- General Information: To our knowledge, the
Sri Lankan military does not have any MANPADS. The
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is believed to
have SA-14s that were made in Bulgaria. By law, all
weapons going into and leaving Sri Lanka must be
approved by the Ministry of Defense. The LTTE
circumvents these laws on a regular basis by smuggling
arms into Sri Lanka.

-- Government Cooperation: Mission expects that the GSL
will cooperate with the USG on MANPADS issues. (Note:
The GSL has allowed access to captured LTTE SA-14s in
the past and has requested US assistance in identifying
weapon origins.) The government's export control laws
appear to be adequate, but the GSL is unable to enforce
them re the LTTE.

-- Feasible Arguments: Mission believes the GSL would
be receptive to an approach based on the need for
responsible action to deal with MANPADS. The GSL is
aware of the magnitude of the liability of an attack
against civil aviation using MANPADS. (Note: Sri
Lanka's international airport was attacked by the LTTE
in July 2001 and four of the national air carriers'
aircraft were destroyed. The nearby military airport
was also attacked, and many planes and helicopters were
destroyed in the incident.) Mission believes that the
GSL would be responsive to any security-related approach
regarding control of access to MANPADS.

-- Financial Incentives: Mission believes this section
is not applicable. The GSL is not known to have any
MANPADS and Mission believes the GSL would be responsive
to USG concerns on the issue because of its own national
interest in controlling access to MANPADS.

-- Other Incentives: Mission believes this section is
not applicable. The GSL is not known to have any
MANPADS and Mission believes the GSL would be responsive
to USG concerns on the issues because of its own
national interest in controlling access to MANPADS.

-- Government Contacts and Engagement Opportunities:
Mission can contact key Ministers in the GSL and key
individuals in the GSL's MFA and MoD on this issue. GSL
interlocutors are available at the United Nations.
Mission recommends initiating any dialogue with the
government in Colombo, however.

End Text.

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


3. (S) Begin Text:

-- General Information: To our knowledge, the Maldivian
government does not have any MANPADS and would be
receptive to initiatives on controlling access to
MANPADS by the USG.

-- (Note: Mission believes the remaining sections are
not applicable to the Maldives.)

End Text.

WILLS