ALLEGATIONS OF LTTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001241 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2016 TAGS: PTER MCAP PARM CE SUBJECT: ALLEGATIONS OF LTTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CAPABILITY Classified By: CDA JAMES F. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.4B, D ¶1. (S) On July 27, Foreign Secretary Palihakkara passed Charge' a document from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense (full text below) which discusses an alleged chemical weapons capability by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Palihakkara said his government is extremely concerned by the report and asked that the U.S. provide "technical assistance" to the government in dealing with the report. Charge' told Palihakkara he would share the document with Washington and report back. ¶2. (S) Text of Defense Ministry document (as received) follows: BEGIN TEXT ¶1. It is reliably learnt that the LTTE has made an attempt to procure "Red Mercury," a chemical claimed to be used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction (WMD). According to Wikipedia, the Internet-based Encyclopaedia, Red Mercury is a semi-mythical substance that could be used in the creation of nuclear bombs. It is supposed to be a powerful conventional explosive that also can be used in the making of small and highly portable fusion bombs or Red Mercury WMD. A more mundane theory on the nature of the substance is that it is very high quality uranium or plutonium being distributed under a codename. As per the sources, the LTTE has made an inquiry from the under mentioned company to obtain the said chemical in the first quarter of year 2002. Laboratory and Equipment Wijerama Mawatha Colombo (Near Sathosa) ¶2. During the same period, the LTTE has also made an attempt to obtain the same chemical through its international arms agents. The possible manufacturer of this chemical is said to be a company located in the USA and its address as follows: Herculis Chemical Co. Ltd. 14-E-R Hills South Lane California USA ¶3. Furthermore, it is revealed that during the past few years, the LTTE has managed to send some of its cadres to participate in international conferences organized on NBC Warfare. One such instance was the participation of LTTE cadres at the "SMI Defence Conference" which was held from 30 September to 01 November 2001 in HATTON, LONDON. One of the subjects discussed at this conference was NBC Warfare. In addition to the above, the LTTE has purchased a number of books related to the same subject since signing of CFA. ¶4. In view of above, and considering the sensitivity of the information received, the Ministry of Defence strongly recommend this information be raised with the appropriate international agency/community, in order to prevent the LTTE from resorting to "chemical warfare," please. END TEXT ¶3. (S) Comment: A purported Tiger chemical/biological weapon capability has also been alluded to in the local press recently, not for the first time. The substance of the document strikes us as questionable but we would appreciate it if the relevant USG experts could give us their reaction to share with the Sri Lankans. End Comment. ENTWISTLE