Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04COLOMBO568
2004-03-31 11:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 051 (03/31/04)

Tags:  AMGT CE MV LTTE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000568 

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 051 (03/31/04)

Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).

CONTENTS: TENSIONS IN BATTICALOA
- APRIL 2 ELECTION
- CODEL DREIER
- MPP

TENSIONS IN BATTICALOA
----------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000568

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 051 (03/31/04)

Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b)
and (d).

CONTENTS: TENSIONS IN BATTICALOA
- APRIL 2 ELECTION
- CODEL DREIER
- MPP

TENSIONS IN BATTICALOA
--------------


1. (SBU) FYI. Just want to flag that tensions between
the main LTTE and rebel commander Karuna in Batticaloa
District in the east are rising. As you know, a TNA
candidate and a relative were gunned down on March 30,
probably by a LTTE hit squad (the LTTE, for its part,
has denied involvement). Various contacts in Batticaloa
have told us that they are under direct threat from
either LTTE thugs or Karuna thugs as the case may be.
There are also reports that Karuna is putting pressure
on all "Jaffna" Tamils to leave Batticaloa or else.
There are also reports of tensions along the Trincomalee
- Batticaloa border near the area of Verugal. In this
area, LTTE forces (who have apparently consolidated
their control of Trincomalee) and Karuna's men have been
eyeballing each other across a stream for some time. We
here that increased forces may have gathered in the area
of late. There had been much talk that the LTTE would
wait until after the April 2 election before moving
against Karuna in some way. It appears that the pieces
are being put together for something. Given all the
reports and rumors, Batticaloa is reportedly very much
on edge (no surprise there). Father Miller, an Amcit
priest who is based in Batticaloa, told us the area was
"quiet but very tense," as of late today. (POL)

APRIL 2 ELECTION
--------------


2. (C) FYI. We are sending out a comprehensive message
on the policy implications of possible post-election
scenarios tonight. We plan to do a snapshot of the
situation on the eve of the election tomorrow, April 1.
By the way, we expect the election results to pretty
much dribble in, but by mid-day Saturday, April 3, we
should have some indication on which way the wind is
blowing. We'll keep Department regularly informed
throughout the weekend, of course. (POL)

CODEL DREIER
--------------


3. (SBU) We'll be sending another e-mail on the other
system in a few minutes. We met this afternoon and we
seem to be in pretty good shape. The one (big) piece
missing is whether CBK will receive the CODEL but
there's no point in pushing the President's office on
that again until after election weekend. The airfield
question has been resolved (in our favor). (DCM)

MPP
---


4. (SBU) We are looking over State 68150 which provides
Department suggestions for our MPP. We'll have our
views formulated by the middle of next week. We're a
bit confused about process. The MPP database we put our
original stuff into is now empty and what appear to be
final MPPs are posted on the same site. By what means
do we send in our reaction to Department suggestions?
(DCM)

LUNSTEAD