Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
05COLOMBO976 | 2005-06-01 09:50:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Colombo |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. 010950Z Jun 05 |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000976 |
1. (U) This cable is for the Tsunami IAWG on June 1, 2005. 2. (U) The May 27-28 visit by former President Clinton went well and is summarized in Ref A. Media reaction is provided in Ref B. Update on USG Activity -------------------------- 3. (U) On the ground progress continues, with the Government continuing to claim that it is on track for 30,000 temporary shelter units by June 30. Ref C provides the most recent USAID DART update of out-station travel. Post is also sending one Maldivian and one Sri Lankan on a disaster management-related International Visitor program beginning next week. 4. (U) We are poised to finalize the SOAG with the GSL once final funding levels are determined in Washington. Regarding previous concerns about a possible overlap in projects with Germany, we have told the GSL that we plan to proceed with projects as they agreed in our signed MOU. Debt Relief -------------------------- 5. (U) We are reporting septel today receipt of a letter from the Ministry of Finance accepting our debt relief offer. According to the letter, however, they still have not concluded the Paris Club MOU. As we understand it, conclusion of a bilateral agreement has to wait for completion of the Paris Club MOU. We will encourage the GSL to proceed quickly. Early Warning and 100m/200m Buffer Zone: DVC Follow-up -------------------------- -------------------------- 6. (SBU) As we have mentioned in previous updates, we are concerned about the coordination of all the various early warning and emergency management programs and projects that are underway. USAID's lead role in the development of an early warning system, supported by USTDA funding for emergency management and all-hazards studies, along with expertise from FEMA and other relevant agencies would provide much needed assistance and guidance for the Government of Sri Lanka as it moves forward with the development of its own Emergency Management Framework and as it considers how best to deal with the 100m/200m buffer zone. 7. (SBU) As a follow-up to the May 19 DVC on the 100m/200m coastal buffer zone, Post believes that follow-on travel by two or three key participants from that exercise would be very useful. We also understand that USTDA is planning a visit to Colombo following the USTDA sponsored All-Hazards Conference in Hawaii. That visit would give an opportunity for USTDA to discuss the potential for a definitional mission that could provide guidance to the GSL on the establishment of an emergency management structure and the development of an integrated early warning mechanism. Such a definitional mission could be built on a base established by the contacts and information gleaned during the other visits mentioned above. Maldives Trust Fund -------------------------- 8. (SBU) We are planning to send a team to Maldives in the next couple weeks to discuss in detail those projects that are best suited to our donation. In light of the decision to use the Maldives Trust fund, we need specific instructions from Washington regarding reporting requirements and agreement mechanisms. As we have mentioned before, the GORM will work with us to ensure that all monies are targeted to specific projects and they have offered to accommodate our needs for reporting and oversight. 9. (SBU) Post would appreciate detailed guidance on what kind of agreement is needed to make the money available to the trust fund, whether an MOU is required, and what kind of oversight and monitoring mechanisms are needed. We would urge agencies to review our previous emails in conjunction with the GORM Funds' operations manual in order to understand those mechanisms already in use. LUNSTEAD |