COLOMBO EAC MEETING APRIL 8, 2003

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000596

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA, DSERCC AND SA/INS
ISLAMABAD PASS LAHORE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X1, X6
TAGS: ASEC AEMR PTER CASC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING APRIL 8, 2003

REF: (A) Colombo 548, (B) Colombo 582


1. (U) Classified by S.V. Wright, Regional Security
Officer, reason 1.5 (C) and (D).


2. (SBU) On April 8, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action
Committee (EAC) met to discuss the local security situation.
The DCM chaired the EAC.


3. (SBU) The EAC agreed that Colombo appears calm; the
trend is of decreasing agitation. There was a relatively
minor protest on Friday April 4 that - given the police
refusal to allow protests near the U.S. Embassy -
concentrated on the Saudi and UAE Embassies. About 300
people protested the War and burned American flags.
Although the road in front of the Chancery was briefly
closed as a precaution, the demonstration ended peacefully.


4. (S) The RSO briefed the EAC on updated information
relating to possible Iraqi surveillance in Colombo (see
reftels). Recent information obtained by PII and the Sri
Lanka Police indicate the subject identified may be a
bonafide Iraqi businessman. Inquiries are continuing,
however.


5. (SBU) The EAC decided to disband the use of the LAV
shuttle effective Friday April 11 unless the security
situation degrades. The current progress in the War and
lack of an emotional reaction in Colombo led the EAC to
slightly reduce our security posture.


6. (SBU) The local police will remain deployed at all the
residence for at least one more week.


7. (SBU) The EAC decided to continue the travel
restriction for the east of Sri Lanka. It did, however,
approve a USAID trip to the northern Jaffna peninsula.


8. (SBU) The committee agreed to meet again on Tuesday
April 15.

WILLS