Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COLOMBO1989
2006-11-28 09:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001989
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY
INITIATIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001989
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY
INITIATIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) notified
the Embassy via diplomatic note of its intention to support
the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GSL
cautioned that it will do so "consistent with its national
laws and obligations under international law." Complete text
of note is cited in last paragraph. Please see action
request for SCA and ISN in para 3.
2. (C) Comment: Ambassador and other members of the Mission
have been pushing the GSL to support PSI on the grounds that
since Sri Lanka wants international help in interdicting LTTE
(Tamil Tiger) arms shipments, it should reciprocate by
joining PSI. We judge that Sri Lanka inserted the cautionary
language so as not to offend India, which has not yet signed
up to PSI. It is also likely that Sri Lanka was anticipating
a move by India to join PSI. The government would have come
under criticism by nationalist parties if it had appeared to
follow an Indian lead; hence the "domestic compulsion" to
beat India to the punch.
3. (C) ACTION REQUEST for SCA/INS and ISN: For our further
consultations with the government of Sri Lanka and other
like-minded missions in Colombo, it would be useful to be
able to convey ideas on next steps for Sri Lankan
participation in PSI. We assume that Sri Lanka will be
invited to future meetings on PSI. However, the Sri Lankan
Navy largely lacks the capacity to intercept ships on the
open seas.
-- What concrete steps can the GSL take to become an active
partner?
-- What assistance, if any is the U.S. prepared to offer?
4. (SBU) Text of Diplomatic Note:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy
of the United States of America in Colombo and has the honour
to inform the latter the following:
The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes and supports in
principle the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the
4 September 2003 Statement of Interdiction Principles (SOP).
Sri Lanka's support to the PSI and SOP reflects its
willingness to cooperate in preventing the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction (WMD),their means of delivery
and related materials, consistent with its national laws and
obligations under international law. It is also a reflection
of its commitment to fully implement the UN Security Council
resolution 1540 (2004) and other relevant resolutions dealing
with non-proliferation of WMDs.
Sri Lanka is committed to upholding the PSI SOP and looks
forward to participating, to the extent possible on a
voluntary and non-binding basis, in future PSI-related
activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates if the Embassy of
the United States of America could inform the relevant US
authorities on the decision made by the Government of Sri
Lanka to support in principle the Proliferation Security
Initiative in accordance with the announcement as stated
above.
COLOMBO 00001989 002 OF 002
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in
Colombo the assurances of its highest consideration.
Colombo, 23 November 2006
End Text of Diplomatic Note.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PREF MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA SIGNS UP TO PROLIFERATION SECURITY
INITIATIVE
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) notified
the Embassy via diplomatic note of its intention to support
the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The GSL
cautioned that it will do so "consistent with its national
laws and obligations under international law." Complete text
of note is cited in last paragraph. Please see action
request for SCA and ISN in para 3.
2. (C) Comment: Ambassador and other members of the Mission
have been pushing the GSL to support PSI on the grounds that
since Sri Lanka wants international help in interdicting LTTE
(Tamil Tiger) arms shipments, it should reciprocate by
joining PSI. We judge that Sri Lanka inserted the cautionary
language so as not to offend India, which has not yet signed
up to PSI. It is also likely that Sri Lanka was anticipating
a move by India to join PSI. The government would have come
under criticism by nationalist parties if it had appeared to
follow an Indian lead; hence the "domestic compulsion" to
beat India to the punch.
3. (C) ACTION REQUEST for SCA/INS and ISN: For our further
consultations with the government of Sri Lanka and other
like-minded missions in Colombo, it would be useful to be
able to convey ideas on next steps for Sri Lankan
participation in PSI. We assume that Sri Lanka will be
invited to future meetings on PSI. However, the Sri Lankan
Navy largely lacks the capacity to intercept ships on the
open seas.
-- What concrete steps can the GSL take to become an active
partner?
-- What assistance, if any is the U.S. prepared to offer?
4. (SBU) Text of Diplomatic Note:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy
of the United States of America in Colombo and has the honour
to inform the latter the following:
The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes and supports in
principle the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and the
4 September 2003 Statement of Interdiction Principles (SOP).
Sri Lanka's support to the PSI and SOP reflects its
willingness to cooperate in preventing the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction (WMD),their means of delivery
and related materials, consistent with its national laws and
obligations under international law. It is also a reflection
of its commitment to fully implement the UN Security Council
resolution 1540 (2004) and other relevant resolutions dealing
with non-proliferation of WMDs.
Sri Lanka is committed to upholding the PSI SOP and looks
forward to participating, to the extent possible on a
voluntary and non-binding basis, in future PSI-related
activities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs appreciates if the Embassy of
the United States of America could inform the relevant US
authorities on the decision made by the Government of Sri
Lanka to support in principle the Proliferation Security
Initiative in accordance with the announcement as stated
above.
COLOMBO 00001989 002 OF 002
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in
Colombo the assurances of its highest consideration.
Colombo, 23 November 2006
End Text of Diplomatic Note.
BLAKE