C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000575

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

DEPARTMENT FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04-03-13
TAGS: CE MV AGMT LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 52 (04-03-03)
Classified by Ambassador Wills, Reasons 1.5 (b, d)

CONTENTS: SRI LANKAN TEA REQUEST - URGENT
- LOCAL IRAQ REACTION
- SLMM RAISES NOTION OF A "THIRD FORCE"
- PRESIDENT THREATENS TAKEOVER OF MINISTRIES
- SECURITY ZONE ISSUE IN THE NEWS

SRI LANKAN TEA REQUEST - URGENT
--------------

1. (U) Colombo 561 described GSL's request that the US
buy Sri Lankan tea for humanitarian aid to Iraq. The
Ambassador needs to have an answer to this action request
by Friday Sri Lanka time so he can get back to the
requesting Ministry. We understand this isn't much time
to get Washington to act on a request, but we really do
need you to press the relevant offices for an answer
before COB Thursday Washington time, so the Ambassador
will be able to give GSL an answer on Friday our time.
(ECON)

LOCAL IRAQ REACTION
--------------

2. (C) Local reaction re Iraq remains muted. We have
not heard of any anti-war demonstrations planned for
Colombo or its immediate environs. We imagine that there
will be something after Muslim prayers this Friday. Some
sort of demonstration is being planned for Kandy. We
also heard a report, which we seek to confirm, that there
might be an anti-war rally in Jaffna this week. Pls see
our latest cable re press coverage, which continues to be
heavy.


3. (C) By the way, per a class e-mail note from the SA
Front Office sent to South Asia posts, we just want to
note that we have not (repeat not) had any indication
(nor heard any reports) that Sri Lankans might be leaving
for Iraq to fight for the remnants of the Saddamite
regime. (POL/RSO)

SLMM RAISES NOTION OF A "THIRD FORCE"
--------------

4. (C) FYI. Recent statements by the Sri Lanka
Monitoring Mission (SLMM), bizarrely, are hinting that
some sort of non-LTTE, non-GSL "third force" may have
been involved in instigating the recent sea
confrontations off the northeast coast. In its press
release re the March 20 sinking of a Chinese fishing
trawler and re the March 31 attack on a SLN troop ship
(see Reftels), the SLMM stated that it "cannot rule out
the possibility that armed elements - not recognized by
the parties" were involved. No one here in Sri Lanka
knows what the SLMM may be referring to, as no one knows
of any potential "armed elements" outside of the
government and the LTTE. Based on our discussions with
the SLMM, we think the group, in wimpy, overly diplomatic
fashion, does not want to blame the LTTE directly, so
they are putting up this straw man of other "armed
elements." Everyone else here is calling a spade a
spade. One Icelandic member of the SLMM mumbled darkly
that perhaps the Indians might have been involved (we
doubt that) or that an element of the Sea Tigers not
under the control of the LTTE might have carried it out.
(POL/DAO)

PRESIDENT THREATENS TAKEOVER OF MINISTRIES
--------------

5. (C) FYI. President Kumaratunga has recently stated
that she might take over some of the government's
ministries. Her particular animus is focused on the
Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Information.
In attacking these ministries, Kumaratunga is accusing
the director of the international airport of being
connected to the LTTE (he has a bad reputation, but we're
unsure of this charge) and the Information Ministry of
being anti-PA. We are not sure how serious CBK is about
these threats, but, based on what we are hearing, the
mere mention is sparking additional cohabitation
stresses. By the way, if CBK took the plunge, we are not
sure of the exact mechanics of such a move, though we are
sure it would wind up in the courts. (POL)


6. (SBU) By the way, the Ambassador is slated to meet
President Kumaratunga tomorrow (April 4) at 10:30 A.M.

SECURITY ZONE ISSUE IN THE NEWS
--------------

7. (U) FYI. In response to continued criticism re the
Jaffna security zone issue, the military has said it is
willing to move some of its troops from hotels and other
buildings in Jaffna city. In making this proposal, the
military has proposed moving into the Jaffna municipal
council area and other buildings near that site. While
somewhat happy that the military is even discussing the
matter, Tamils are urging the GSL to do more and think
about getting the troops out of Jaffna city altogether.
LTTE supporters, as you would guess, remain quite
vociferous on this issue. The positive news on all this
is that folks are discussing these issues. We expect
that retired Indian General Nambiar's report on the
issue, when it is out and in the press (which it is not
as of yet), will stimulate further discussion. (POL)

WILLS