Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05COLOMBO1512
2005-08-30 07:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

NORWEGIANS SEEK INSTRUCTIONS FROM OSLO IN FACE OF

Tags:  PREL PTER NO CE LTTE 
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This 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 001512 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER NO CE LTTE
SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS SEEK INSTRUCTIONS FROM OSLO IN FACE OF
CRITICISM FROM NEW FOREIGN MINISTER

Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires, a.i. James F. Entwistle for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001512

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER NO CE LTTE
SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS SEEK INSTRUCTIONS FROM OSLO IN FACE OF
CRITICISM FROM NEW FOREIGN MINISTER

Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires, a.i. James F. Entwistle for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar told
Charge' August 30 that he is seeking instructions
from Oslo on how to proceed in the face of
continuing public criticism of the Norwegian peace
process facilitation role. Brattskar confided he
is particular angry about public comments new
Foreign Minister (and Presidential sibling) Anura
Bandaranaike made about the Norwegians during his
recent trip to New Delhi. (Anura is quoted in the
local papers this morning that he wants India "to
try to influence the Europeans in particular who
have been misled by the Norwegians away from the
LTTE" and that the Norwegians have been providing
"misinformation" about the real nature of the
LTTE.) Brattskar also said he had found an August
30 op-ed hatchet job in the English language Daily
Mirror on Norwegian DFM Vidar Helgesen to be
beyond the pale. (The op-ed, a long rambling
attack on just about everyone involved in the
peace process by one of Colombo's more rabid
journalists, states that "Helgesen is the human
face of a psychopath" and "We have been Helgesen's
slaves for too long." The piece also blames
Helgesen for the August 12 assassination of then-
Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and implies
that it would be appropriate for Helgesen to meet
the same fate.)


2. (C) Brattskar told Charge' he will seek
instructions from Oslo and then intends to call on
Foreign Ministry Secretary Palihakkara August 31
to convey concern at the Foreign Minister's
comments and note that while Norway remains
committed to its facilitation role, it will not go
down well with Oslo if Norway's involvement
becomes a political football in the upcoming Sri
Lankan presidential election. Brattskar said he
would give a readout on his discussion with
Palihkakara, as well as an update on his efforts
to arrange a cease-fire agreement (CFA)
implementation meeting, at a Colombo co-chairs
meeting Charge' is hosting on September 1.


3. (C) Comment. Norwegian frustration over
Anura's comments is understandable and there is
little doubt that anti-Norwegian sentiment will be
stirred up as election fever grows. We will
continue to tell the government and other parties
here that we think the Norwegians are doing a fine
job and have full U.S. support. Some of
Brattskar's frustration undoubtedly comes from his
lack of success at setting up a CFA meeting.
Press reports this morning state the LTTE
continues to refuse to meet in no-man's land south
of Kilinochchi for security reasons. The real
reason probably is that, with a Presidential
election in the offing, the LTTE sees no reason to
come to the table with a lame duck administration.
ENTWISTLE