DEMARCHE - IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S INCREASING EXTREMISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001864

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM CE IR IAEA
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE - IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S INCREASING EXTREMISM

REF: STATE 199225

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


1. (SBU) The Ambassador raised reftel points on
Ahmadi-Nejad's October 25 remarks on wiping Israel
off the map with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Anura
Bandanaraike during an October 28 conversation
(other subjects reported septel). Bandanaraike
was not familiar with the Iranian president's
speech but nodded in agreement as the Ambassador
outlined U.S. concerns with the remarks about
Israel as well as Iranian nuclear conduct,
interference in Iraq and poor respect for human
rights and democratic principles. The Foreign
Minister instructed his staff to get him a copy of
the speech (which he termed a "very serious
statement") and listened carefully as the
Ambassador outlined which countries had already
made public condemnations of Ahmadi-Nejad's
statement and urged that Sri Lanka consider doing
the same.


2. (C) The Ambassador also raised our desire for
Sri Lankan support regarding Iran in the IAEA.
Bandanaraike said he had appreciated his September
discussions on the subject with U/S Joseph in New
York and appeared receptive to the Ambassador's
point that the IAEA should refer Iran to the UN
Security Council.


3. (C) Comment: The new Foreign Minister clearly
understood and sympathized with our concerns
regarding Iran. However, it is a fact that Sri
Lanka receives large quantities of subsidized
petroleum from Iran, which will make Colombo
reluctant to get too far out in front on this
issue.

LUNSTEAD