Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COLOMBO180
2006-02-02 09:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLM #0180 0330932 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 020932Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2486 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0350 RUEHII/VIENNA IAEA POSTS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000180
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: PREL AORC IAEA KNNP CE IR
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC
Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reason
1.5(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000180
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: PREL AORC IAEA KNNP CE IR
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC
Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reason
1.5(d).
1. (C) President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the Ambassador
early February 2 to tell him that the cabinet had decided the
night before to support the U.S. position on Iran and the
IAEA by voting in the February 2 IAEA Board of Governors
meeting to refer the issue to the United Nations Security
Council. Rajapaksa commented that in doing so, he was
"loing a friend." The Ambassador assured the Presidet he
was "joining a crowd" and expressed apprecition for Sri
Lanka's support and understanding of how difficult a decision
this had been given Sri Lanka's dependence on concessional
oil imports from Iran. The Ambassador subsequently confirmed
Sri Lanka's intentions with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara who
noted that the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister has been in
town quietly lobbying the GSL in the opposite direction.
2. (C) Comment. This very welcome news is the result of a
long diplomatic effort, from the Secretary's discussions with
Foreign Minister Samaraweera in Washington to U/S Burns'
conversations during his visit to Colombo in late January,
reinforced by our efforts. It is also a welcome indication
that, early in his tenure, President Rajapaksa values the
relationship with the U.S. and does not shy away from tough
decisions.
LUNSTEAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: PREL AORC IAEA KNNP CE IR
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA TO SUPPORT IAEA REFERRAL OF IRAN TO UNSC
Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reason
1.5(d).
1. (C) President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the Ambassador
early February 2 to tell him that the cabinet had decided the
night before to support the U.S. position on Iran and the
IAEA by voting in the February 2 IAEA Board of Governors
meeting to refer the issue to the United Nations Security
Council. Rajapaksa commented that in doing so, he was
"loing a friend." The Ambassador assured the Presidet he
was "joining a crowd" and expressed apprecition for Sri
Lanka's support and understanding of how difficult a decision
this had been given Sri Lanka's dependence on concessional
oil imports from Iran. The Ambassador subsequently confirmed
Sri Lanka's intentions with Foreign Secretary Palihakkara who
noted that the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister has been in
town quietly lobbying the GSL in the opposite direction.
2. (C) Comment. This very welcome news is the result of a
long diplomatic effort, from the Secretary's discussions with
Foreign Minister Samaraweera in Washington to U/S Burns'
conversations during his visit to Colombo in late January,
reinforced by our efforts. It is also a welcome indication
that, early in his tenure, President Rajapaksa values the
relationship with the U.S. and does not shy away from tough
decisions.
LUNSTEAD