Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO112
2007-01-19 09:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA: 1206 BOAT TRAINING TO SUPPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO2460 OO RUEHBI DE RUEHLM #0112 0190903 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 190903Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5185 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0513 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 7319 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5056 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, SCA/RA AND PM/PPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: 1206 BOAT TRAINING TO SUPPORT
COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTERDICTION EFFORTS
REF: 06 STATE 3112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT O. BLAKE, JR. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000112
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, SCA/RA AND PM/PPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: 1206 BOAT TRAINING TO SUPPORT
COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTERDICTION EFFORTS
REF: 06 STATE 3112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT O. BLAKE, JR. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)
1. (U) Post supports PACOM's approval of $1.4 million to
conduct boat training with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) through
1206 FY07 funding. This initiative provides training and
equipment necessary for the SLN to effectively conduct Visit,
Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations off the coast of
Sri Lanka. This proposal complements the 10 Zodiac Rigid
Inflatable Boats (RIB) expected to be delivered in 2nd
Quarter FY07 under the FY06 1206 program. Training may also
include 6 "Boston Whaler" patrol boats the United States may
provide to the SLN through 1206 2006 funding. (Note: Boston
Whalers were purchased for Thailand under the FY06 1206
proposal and may go to Sri Lanka due to Thailand's current
situation. Post and the GSL support the provision of the
Boston Whalers to the SLN.)
2. (C) Navy interdiction training and equipment will prepare
two 90-sailor platoons to carry out board and search
procedures. This training provides defensive support for the
SLN against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),a
designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The primary
focus of VBSS operations that this equipment and training
will support is the elimination of illegal weapons and cargo
destined for the LTTE from entering Sri Lanka. In addition,
training will provide enhanced tactics and procedures needed
by the SLN to provide protection against offensive operations
launched by LTTE Sea Tigers. Post anticipates training to
begin in early 2008. We anticipate that for force protection
reasons, training will take place at an SLN base in the
south, such as Galle or Tangalle. The boats will later be
moved to the northeastern harbor of Trincomalee, where they
will be deployed.
3. (U) This effectively complements the FY06 1206 effort,
which is funding the installation of three 25nm X-band radars
with 24/7 capability and is expected to be operational in
July 2007. This significant maritime situational awareness
will allow the SLN unimpaired 24-hour continuous monitoring
over the LTTE's major shipping lanes. This new situational
awareness requires the ability to intercept ships carrying
LTTE cargo any time during the 24 hour period. Equipment
required for effective operations include ballistic helmets,
body armor-Level III protection and plates, generation 2
monocular Night Vision Goggles (NVG),and miscellaneous
items. However, the new maritime situational awareness by
itself will not prevent illegal weapons and cargo from
entering Sri Lanka. Therefore, training and equipping forces
to interdict is imperative.
4. (C) Since the GSL may seek to cast the boat donation and
training as evidence of the United States' support for the
GSL's offensive military campaign in the east, we will
request the training be conducted in a low key manner, away
from the press and public. If the donation and training do
become public, we will emphasize that their purpose is
strictly defensive.
5. (U) Ambassador and DCM cleared this message.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, SCA/RA AND PM/PPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2016
TAGS: PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: 1206 BOAT TRAINING TO SUPPORT
COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTERDICTION EFFORTS
REF: 06 STATE 3112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT O. BLAKE, JR. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D)
1. (U) Post supports PACOM's approval of $1.4 million to
conduct boat training with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) through
1206 FY07 funding. This initiative provides training and
equipment necessary for the SLN to effectively conduct Visit,
Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations off the coast of
Sri Lanka. This proposal complements the 10 Zodiac Rigid
Inflatable Boats (RIB) expected to be delivered in 2nd
Quarter FY07 under the FY06 1206 program. Training may also
include 6 "Boston Whaler" patrol boats the United States may
provide to the SLN through 1206 2006 funding. (Note: Boston
Whalers were purchased for Thailand under the FY06 1206
proposal and may go to Sri Lanka due to Thailand's current
situation. Post and the GSL support the provision of the
Boston Whalers to the SLN.)
2. (C) Navy interdiction training and equipment will prepare
two 90-sailor platoons to carry out board and search
procedures. This training provides defensive support for the
SLN against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),a
designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The primary
focus of VBSS operations that this equipment and training
will support is the elimination of illegal weapons and cargo
destined for the LTTE from entering Sri Lanka. In addition,
training will provide enhanced tactics and procedures needed
by the SLN to provide protection against offensive operations
launched by LTTE Sea Tigers. Post anticipates training to
begin in early 2008. We anticipate that for force protection
reasons, training will take place at an SLN base in the
south, such as Galle or Tangalle. The boats will later be
moved to the northeastern harbor of Trincomalee, where they
will be deployed.
3. (U) This effectively complements the FY06 1206 effort,
which is funding the installation of three 25nm X-band radars
with 24/7 capability and is expected to be operational in
July 2007. This significant maritime situational awareness
will allow the SLN unimpaired 24-hour continuous monitoring
over the LTTE's major shipping lanes. This new situational
awareness requires the ability to intercept ships carrying
LTTE cargo any time during the 24 hour period. Equipment
required for effective operations include ballistic helmets,
body armor-Level III protection and plates, generation 2
monocular Night Vision Goggles (NVG),and miscellaneous
items. However, the new maritime situational awareness by
itself will not prevent illegal weapons and cargo from
entering Sri Lanka. Therefore, training and equipping forces
to interdict is imperative.
4. (C) Since the GSL may seek to cast the boat donation and
training as evidence of the United States' support for the
GSL's offensive military campaign in the east, we will
request the training be conducted in a low key manner, away
from the press and public. If the donation and training do
become public, we will emphasize that their purpose is
strictly defensive.
5. (U) Ambassador and DCM cleared this message.
BLAKE