LTTE STIFFS NORWEGIANS ON CEASEFIRE TALKS, PTOMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001286

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER EAID PGOV CE NO LTTE
SUBJECT: LTTE STIFFS NORWEGIANS ON CEASEFIRE TALKS, PTOMS


Classified By: AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD FOR REASON 1.4 (D).


1. (C) Summary: The LTTE told Norwegians they will not
hold talks on ceasefire with Government until it disarms
all paramilitaries. The Tigers also said they were not
willing to change any part of the PTOMS agreement. The two
sides continue to work with the SLMM to solve the
transportation issue. Co-Chair Ambassadors will meet
President on Monday to ask her to ensure Government
compliance with CFA. End Summary.

LTTE on Ceasefire Talks: No
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2. (C) Norwegian charge Oddvar Laegried visited Kilinocchi
July 20 for talks with LTTE on ceasefire and PTOMS, meeting
with the LTTE's Tamilchelvan and other LTTE officials. On
the PTOMS, Laegried conveyed the GSL view that stressed the
positive side of the Supreme Court ruling--that the Court
had validated the President's ability to enter into an
agreement with the LTTE and upheld the legality of the
CeaseFire Agreement (CFA). The GSL (Jayantha Dhanapala)
had told Laegried that they expected the Court to lift all
of its interim stay orders after the GSL gave its
responses. At Dhanapala's request, Laegried asked if the
LTTE would agree to change the seat of the PTOMS Regional
Committee from Kilinocchi to Trincomalee. Tamilchelvan's
response was that the LTTE was not willing to change
anything in the PTOMS.

Same on the Ceasefire
--------------


3. (C) Laegried then referred to the statement issued by
Co-chairs in Colombo the day before calling for both sides
to take steps to strengthen the CFA and to sit down
together to talk about ways to do so. Laegried strongly
urged a meeting with the GSL to discuss the CFA.
Tamilchelvan refused, saying such a meeting would only be
possible after the GSL disarmed all paramilitary groups.
It was the GSL's responsibility to provide security for
unarmed LTTE political cadres. When Laegried mentioned the
portion of the Co-chairs statement calling on the LTTE to
stop all killings by its members, there was no response.

A Small Opening?
--------------

4. (C) During lunch with LTTE Peace Secretariat Head
Pulidevan (Tamilchelvan did not attend),Laegried continued
to press the gravity of the situation and the need for the
LTTE to sit and talk with the GSL. Pulidevan said that he
was willing to meet GSL Peace Secretariat head Jayantha
Dhanapala--on one condition, that the issue of security for
transport of LTTE cadres be resolved first. Laegried said
that SLMM head Haukland was working on that very issue and
would present a compromise proposal to both sides.
Laegried said that if the SLMM were able to solve this
problem, and if Pulidevan then met Dhanapala, there might
be an opening to move toward broader engagement.

A Different Tamilchelvan
--------------


5. (C) Laegried commented that Tamilchelvan, whom he has
met many times, has been different in the last few
meetings--stiff and unsmiling. Rather then engaging in a
genuine dialogue as earlier, he now spoke in predictable
set pieces.

Government Disappointed
--------------


6. (C) Laegried relayed the results of his meetings to
Dhanapala, who was predictably disappointed. Dhanapala
also said that the was disappointed that the Co-chairs
statement called on the GSL to disarm paramilitaries. He
argued that the Karuna group was not a paramilitary under
the terms of the CFA, since it did not exist at the time
the CFA was signed.

Co-Chairs to Meet CBK
--------------


7. (C) Co-chairs will call on President Kumaratunga Monday
July 25 to discuss cease fire issues. They will tell
Kumaratunga that they are concerned about the CFA, which is
coming under increasing strain. They will ask that she
take action to ensure that the Government is abiding by the
CFA.

Comment
--------------

8. (C) The response from the LTTE was predictable but
nonetheless disappointing. It is not clear to us how hard
the Norwegian charge was willing to push the LTTE. They
need to hear a clear message--that maintenance of the CFA
is the responsibility of both parties. Dhanapala's
contention that essentially the GSL has no obligation to
deal with the Karuna group is also disheartening. Whether
or not they fall under the paramilitary provision of the
CFA, the GSL is allowing (at least) or assisting (at most)
an armed group to operate out of its territory and to
murder LTTE members. Jayantha is also supposed to be at
the meeting with Kumaratunga; we'll see what he has to say
then.
LUNSTEAD