Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04COLOMBO16
2004-01-06 11:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 001 (01/06/04)

Tags:  AMGT CE MV LTTE 
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061108Z Jan 04
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000016 

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 001 (01/06/04)


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD FOR REASONS 1.5
b and d.


CONTENTS: POSSIBLE OPENING OF JAFFNA LIBRARY?
- PRESIDENT GAYOOM RUSHES HOME FROM SAARC
- TAMIL PARTY RAISES ISSUE OF LTTE SECESSION
- UNP CHAIRMAN ON COHABITATION


POSSIBLE OPENING OF JAFFNA LIBRARY?
-----------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000016

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 001 (01/06/04)


CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD FOR REASONS 1.5
b and d.


CONTENTS: POSSIBLE OPENING OF JAFFNA LIBRARY?
- PRESIDENT GAYOOM RUSHES HOME FROM SAARC
- TAMIL PARTY RAISES ISSUE OF LTTE SECESSION
- UNP CHAIRMAN ON COHABITATION


POSSIBLE OPENING OF JAFFNA LIBRARY?
--------------

1. (C) FYI. During a January 5 meeting with the Ambassador
(see Septel),Hindu Affairs Minister T. Maheswaran mentioned
that the long-delayed reopening of the rebuilt Jaffna
Library may quietly take place in the next two to three
weeks. (Early in 2003, the Tigers made clear that they did
not want the library to reopen, thwarting GSL plans to take
credit for the reconstruction effort with a large
rededication ceremony.) Although Maheswaran is close to the
Tigers, it remains unclear to us whether the LTTE is now on
board for the quiet reopening he mentioned. The Minister
responded positively to the Ambassador's offer of a possible
"American Corners" section for the library. (POL)

PRESIDENT GAYOOM RUSHES HOME FROM SAARC
--------------

2. (C) FYI. We understand that Maldivian President Gayoom
had to leave the SAARC summit in Islamabad quite suddenly on
Monday, January 5. Various rumors are flying around as to
why. We checked with Male'-based UNDP Country
Representative Min Pham (Amcit -- please protect),who told
us that one rumor is that that Gayoom left due to a
worsening in the political situation. Pham said there's yet
another rumor that it was only a family wedding that
prompted his early departure. It's also rumored that
Gayoom's son Farish Maumoon is in trouble, possibly in
scandalous ways involving corruption and drug use.


3. (C) In other Maldives-related news, POL is planning to
meet with representatives of the anti-Gayoom Maldivian
Democratic Party (MDD) (mentioned in 03 Colombo 2201) soon.
The party is based outside of the Maldives where political
parties are prohibited by the GoRM. The MDD reps contacted
the Pol Section and we think it's wise to hear what the
group is about. (POL)

TAMIL PARTY RAISES ISSUE OF LTTE SECESSION
--------------

4. (C) FYI. At its annual convention held on January 4 in
the northern city of Jaffna, the pro-Tiger All Ceylon Tamil
Congress (ACTC) declared that the "The Tamil people will
have to exercise their right to self determination and
secede if the political impasse in Colombo were to
continue," according to a report on pro-Tiger website
"TamilNet." Also at the convention, A. Vinayagamoorthy and

G. Ponnambalam were re-elected as president and secretary of
the party, respectively. Both men, who are TNA MPs, are
known to be very pro-Tiger. We had seen a recent email and
attachment from the desk that mentioned the theoretical
possibility of the Tigers seceding some time down the road
if the impasse continues, based on comments made in
Prabhakaran's so-called "Heroes' Day" address. We wanted to
flag the related communication from this, Sri Lanka's oldest
Tamil party, and ask if the desk had heard anything else re
this matter. Other than the ACTC mention, we've only heard
slight whisperings on this issue. (POL)

UNP CHAIRMAN ON COHABITATION
--------------

5. (C) FYI. On January 5, we spoke with United National
Party (UNP) chairman Malik Samarawickrama, who has been the
PM's key representative on the joint committee discussing
cohabitation issues. Samarawickrama mentioned the
following:

-- The Samarawickrama-Tittawella committee has "no immediate
plans to meet."

-- When Manu Tittawella returns to Sri Lanka around January
10 from an overseas trip, it is possible there will be
another round of meetings, but that is not confirmed.

-- Malik said he was "always hopeful" about the cohabitation
situation, but not convinced it could be worked out. He did
not elaborate on any other options the PM may or may not be
considering.

We flag Samarawickrama's comments because we have seen some
press pieces and other material in which representatives of
the PM and the President variously state that the committee
is definitely set to meet. Sararawickrama did not confirm
that. (POL)

LUNSTEAD