Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO1182
2007-08-29 12:11:00
SECRET
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA PROMISES RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1737 AND 1747
VZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLM #1182 2411211 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 291211Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6688 INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1293 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2280 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0605 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T COLOMBO 001182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA PROMISES RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1737 AND 1747
COMPLIANCE
REF: A. COLOMBO 1055
B. STATE 101574
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
S E C R E T COLOMBO 001182
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA PROMISES RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1737 AND 1747
COMPLIANCE
REF: A. COLOMBO 1055
B. STATE 101574
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (S) Ambassador on August 24 sent a letter to Minister of
Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama outlining US concerns
about Sri Lanka's lack of compliance with UN Security Council
Resolutions 1737 and 1747. Ambassador noted in the letter
that Sri Lanka's Bank of Ceylon maintains a correspondent
account with Bank Sepah, and that Sri Lanka has not yet
submitted an implementation report, as required by UNSCR
1737.
2. (S) During a meeting Bogollagama requested with
Ambassador on August 27, the Minister explained that, despite
several previous discussions between Ministry and Embassy
officials, the issue had not come to his personal attention
until receipt of the Ambassador's letter. He assured
Ambassador that Sri Lanka no longer engages in arms
procurement from Iran. MFA Additional Secretary for UN and
Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando, also in the meeting,
noted that her office was preparing a response on the Bank
Sepah relationship and would forward it to the Ambassador
"very soon." Post will continue to follow up with the
Ministry and will report additional information septel.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA PROMISES RESPONSE ON UNSCR 1737 AND 1747
COMPLIANCE
REF: A. COLOMBO 1055
B. STATE 101574
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (S) Ambassador on August 24 sent a letter to Minister of
Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama outlining US concerns
about Sri Lanka's lack of compliance with UN Security Council
Resolutions 1737 and 1747. Ambassador noted in the letter
that Sri Lanka's Bank of Ceylon maintains a correspondent
account with Bank Sepah, and that Sri Lanka has not yet
submitted an implementation report, as required by UNSCR
1737.
2. (S) During a meeting Bogollagama requested with
Ambassador on August 27, the Minister explained that, despite
several previous discussions between Ministry and Embassy
officials, the issue had not come to his personal attention
until receipt of the Ambassador's letter. He assured
Ambassador that Sri Lanka no longer engages in arms
procurement from Iran. MFA Additional Secretary for UN and
Multilateral Affairs Sarala Fernando, also in the meeting,
noted that her office was preparing a response on the Bank
Sepah relationship and would forward it to the Ambassador
"very soon." Post will continue to follow up with the
Ministry and will report additional information septel.
BLAKE