Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04COLOMBO543
2004-03-26 05:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04)
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000543
SIPDIS
OFFICIAL INFORMAL
FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04)
Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
CONTENTS: CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
- LTTE SPLIT
CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000543
SIPDIS
OFFICIAL INFORMAL
FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04)
Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
CONTENTS: CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
- LTTE SPLIT
CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
--------------
1. (SBU) FYI. Here are the latest nuggets of news:
-- President Kumaratunga attended a large rally in the
southern town of Matara on March 25. She did not say
anything dramatic, per se. The rally was well-attended.
Based on what we are hearing, the President's SLFP-JVP
alliance (the "UPFA") appears to be doing quite well in
Sri Lanka's deep south. (Poloff Chris Long will be
visiting Galle and Matara over the weekend and will take
the temperature of the region before next week's
election.)
-- The state-run media continues to twist poll results.
As we mentioned in Colombo 514, the DAILY NEWS and its
companion Sinhala-language edition fabricated the
results of a USAID funded poll in their March 20
edition. On March 26, the DAILY NEWS had a front-page
banner headline stating: "Academy of Educational
Development of USAID funded study shows: Kumaratunga
best suited to run country". The article was accurate
re the poll results, but was heavily spun in tone
towards the UPFA. We are issuing a clarifying press
statement. You may get bleats about the DAILY NEWS
story from Devinda Subasinghe.
-- In the meantime, PM Wickremesinghe spoke to a large
rally held near Kandy on March 25. As he has been
doing, the PM touted the achievements of the peace
process.
(POL)
LTTE SPLIT
--------------
2. (C) FYI. The LTTE issued a harsh warning to
potential supporters of rebel eastern commander Karuna
late March 25. The long statement, which is posted on
"TamilNet," is not explicit in its threats, but the
message is clear: Pull away from Karuna and fast. Most
observers believe that the Tigers are waiting until
after the election to deal with Karuna. There are
already unsubstantiated reports that LTTE intelligence
operatives are infiltrating into Karuna's
Batticaloa/Ampara sector. (POL)
LUNSTEAD
SIPDIS
OFFICIAL INFORMAL
FOR SA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04)
Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d).
CONTENTS: CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
- LTTE SPLIT
CAMPAIGN NUGGETS
--------------
1. (SBU) FYI. Here are the latest nuggets of news:
-- President Kumaratunga attended a large rally in the
southern town of Matara on March 25. She did not say
anything dramatic, per se. The rally was well-attended.
Based on what we are hearing, the President's SLFP-JVP
alliance (the "UPFA") appears to be doing quite well in
Sri Lanka's deep south. (Poloff Chris Long will be
visiting Galle and Matara over the weekend and will take
the temperature of the region before next week's
election.)
-- The state-run media continues to twist poll results.
As we mentioned in Colombo 514, the DAILY NEWS and its
companion Sinhala-language edition fabricated the
results of a USAID funded poll in their March 20
edition. On March 26, the DAILY NEWS had a front-page
banner headline stating: "Academy of Educational
Development of USAID funded study shows: Kumaratunga
best suited to run country". The article was accurate
re the poll results, but was heavily spun in tone
towards the UPFA. We are issuing a clarifying press
statement. You may get bleats about the DAILY NEWS
story from Devinda Subasinghe.
-- In the meantime, PM Wickremesinghe spoke to a large
rally held near Kandy on March 25. As he has been
doing, the PM touted the achievements of the peace
process.
(POL)
LTTE SPLIT
--------------
2. (C) FYI. The LTTE issued a harsh warning to
potential supporters of rebel eastern commander Karuna
late March 25. The long statement, which is posted on
"TamilNet," is not explicit in its threats, but the
message is clear: Pull away from Karuna and fast. Most
observers believe that the Tigers are waiting until
after the election to deal with Karuna. There are
already unsubstantiated reports that LTTE intelligence
operatives are infiltrating into Karuna's
Batticaloa/Ampara sector. (POL)
LUNSTEAD