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