Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05COLOMBO1338
2005-08-02 06:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

SPEAKING OUT ON GITMO AND DETAINEES

Tags:  KISL KPAO PGOV PREL 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

020604Z Aug 05
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001338 

SIPDIS

FOR S/WCI PROSPER AND SA A/S ROCCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2015
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: SPEAKING OUT ON GITMO AND DETAINEES

REF: STATE 139288

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001338

SIPDIS

FOR S/WCI PROSPER AND SA A/S ROCCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/02/2015
TAGS: KISL KPAO PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: SPEAKING OUT ON GITMO AND DETAINEES

REF: STATE 139288

Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (C) Ambassador raised issue of understanding
for US detainee operations with Foreign Minister
Kadirgamar on August 1, explaining that we wanted
our friends to better understand our operations
and the rationale for them, and to convey their
support to broader constituencies. Kadirgamar
noted at the beginning of the conversation that as
far as he could see, this issue did not have great
visibility in Sri Lanka.


2. (C) Ambassador made points in reftel, adding
that Sri Lanka with its long history of ethnic
conflict and fighting terrorism was well aware of
how difficult such a struggle against an
unconventional enemy was. Foreign Minister
agreed, commenting that it was difficult for
democracies to fight terrorists with their hands
tied behind their backs. (Foreign Minister has
long been a top target for the Tamil Tigers, and
by coincidence that weekend several suspicious
individuals had been arrested while apparently
surveilling the Minister's heavily fortified
residence.)


3. (C) COMMENT: We agree with the Foreign
Minister that US detainee operations and alleged
abuses, while reported in Sri Lanka media, are not
a burning topic here. Sri Lankans are preoccupied
with their still-unresolved ethnic conflict. Post
will shortly convene a group including PAO to
discuss additional opportunities to get our
message out.
LUNSTEAD