Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO1058
2007-07-31 10:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER ADOPTING CONVENTION FOR THE
how-toVZCZCXRO6750 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI DE RUEHLM #1058 2121023 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 311023Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6538 INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0325 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7308 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1241 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 7900 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 2226 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA PRIORITY 0355 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5549 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2239 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0007 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0592 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY
UNCLAS COLOMBO 001058
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, ISN, L, AND S/CT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KNNP MCAP PINR PINS PARM PREL CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA TO CONSIDER ADOPTING CONVENTION FOR THE
SUPPRESSION OF ACTS OF NUCLEAR TERRORISM
REF: STATE 102149
(SBU) On July 26, Acting DCM and Econ Chief met with MFA
Additional Secretary for UN and Multilateral Affairs Sarala
Fernando to urge the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to sign
the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear
Terrorism. Fernando questioned whether the convention was
relevant to Sri Lanka, which does not have any nuclear
facilities. A/DCM explained that the convention covers the
illicit trade in nuclear materials, which could be diverted
for terrorist purposes, and argued that since Colombo is a
significant transshipment port, Sri Lanka should adhere to
the Convention. He pointed out that this would further
require national legislation to implement these obligations.
Fernando noted that Sri Lanka already participates in the
U.S.-sponsored Container Security Initiative (CSI) and
Megaports program. She emphasized that combating terrorism
is a top priority for Sri Lanka, and undertook to study in
depth the full text of the convention. Post will report any
further developments septel.
MOORE