Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04COLOMBO1643
2004-10-01 01:46:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

REPORTED LTTE THREAT TO TARGET AN AMERICAN

Tags:  ASEC CE PTER 
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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 001643 

SIPDIS

NOFORN

TERREP

DS FOR DS/IP/ITA AND DS/IP/SA

E.O. 12958: DECL: X1
TAGS: ASEC CE PTER
SUBJECT: REPORTED LTTE THREAT TO TARGET AN AMERICAN

REF: TD-314/52804-04

Classified By: RSO Alex Moore, Reason: 1.4(c).
Exempt from declassification, Reason: X1

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001643

SIPDIS

NOFORN

TERREP

DS FOR DS/IP/ITA AND DS/IP/SA

E.O. 12958: DECL: X1
TAGS: ASEC CE PTER
SUBJECT: REPORTED LTTE THREAT TO TARGET AN AMERICAN

REF: TD-314/52804-04

Classified By: RSO Alex Moore, Reason: 1.4(c).
Exempt from declassification, Reason: X1


1. (S/NF) Reftel outlined a source report that the Sri Lankan
terrorist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),
had been instructed by its leader, Velupillai PRABHAKARAN, to
begin to collect specific information in an attempt to
identify individuals connected to Western intelligence
services believed to be spying against the LTTE. To this
end, PRABHAKARAN allegedly gave a precise order to proceed
with the assassination of several individuals including one
American named CHALK who worked for Rand Corporation and was
under contract with the U.S. DOD.


2. (S/NF) Embassy Colombo has identified the individual we
believe to be the alleged target as Peter CHALK
(chalk22000@yahoo.com) of Rand Corporation. DATT Colombo
advised that he met with Peter Chalk of the Rand Corporation
several months ago to discuss "research" CHALK was conducting
on the LTTE. CHALK did in fact travel through LTTE territory
during his visit. DATT could not confirm that CHALK was an
American citizen since he reportedly spoke with an Australian
accent. CHALK's whereabouts are currently unknown, but it is
believed he departed Sri Lanka some time ago. On 09/30/04,
DATT sent CHALK an email message using the above address
advising him to contact DS/IP/ITA (Daniele) as soon as
possible regarding important information of interest to him.


3. (S/NF) An Embassy New Delhi officer, in Colombo on
separate business, was advised of CHALK's identity on
09/30/04.


4. (S/NF) RSO Comment: If the information that the LTTE has
made a decision to assassinate an American is true, we
consider this to be a significant turn of events. LTTE has
never targeted Americans in the past, although Americans have
been injured in past LTTE bombings. In spite of a Feb 2002
ceasefire with the government, the LTTE has continued a trend
of political assassinations against rival Tamils and some
Muslims, estimated to total around 330 during this period.
LTTE leader PRABHAKARAN has become increasingly aggressive
since the split within the LTTE in March, taking his campaign
of assassinations to Colombo in an attempt to destroy LTTE
rebel leader KARUNA and his supporters. The suicide bombing
attempt that took place just a block from the Embassy in July
was intended for the leader of a rival Tamil political party.
Since the reftel mentions "several individuals" in addition
to CHALK, we need to investigate this information further.
We have significant numbers of TDY visitors representing DOD,
USAID, and a wide range of other USG interests, and we want
to make sure they do not fall victim to a change in LTTE
targeting tactics.


5. (SBU) POC is RSO Alex Moore (94)(11) 244-8007.
LUNSTEAD