MEETING WITH NATIONALIST JVP PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001372 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INS, USPACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM CE SUBJECT: MEETING WITH NATIONALIST JVP PARTY Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador met for a spirited but cordial hour with JVP Parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa, on October 1 at the JVP Party-Headquarters. Weerawansa expressed dissatisfaction with President Rajapaksa's failure to reduce inflation and corruption but said the JVP has not decided whether to support possible efforts to bring down the Government during the November budget debates. Weerawansa disagreed with US support for a negotiated solution, insisting that the LTTE must be defeated militarily. End Summary. Dissatisfied with Government -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Weerawansa stated that the country is going through economic difficulties at present due to military operations in the north and east against the LTTE, waste and government corruption. He asserted that President Rajapaksa has failed to arrest the situation, but also noted that the UNP does not have a program to do any better. He said the JVP thinks that the economy can be developed by adopting methods practiced in China and some of the Latin American countries. Income generating programs must be initiated within the country and not depend on foreign assistance. He blamed the media for not giving adequate coverage to JVP ideology and policies. He noted, for example, that the JVP,s statement criticizing the increase in flour prices had not been picked up by the electronic or print media. But No Decision on Whether to Support UNP Efforts -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Asked whether the JVP expects to support the Government budget in November, Weerawansa responded that the JVP has not decided on its stance on the forthcoming budget of the government, but expects it to be a "people friendly" budget. He expressed doubt that the UNP would try to bring down the government because the UNP does not have sufficient votes to do so. The UNP can not win the confidence of the people of this country until and unless it agrees that the LTTE must be destroyed and wiped out militarily, he maintained. ¶4. (SBU) Weerawansa said the JVP is committed to support the government as long as the military battle continues against the LTTE. The JVP believes that every single LTTE member must be killed. People have gained confidence in the government with their recent military successes like the expulsion of the LTTE from the east and the sinking of several LTTE arms ships on the high seas. The people will stomach difficulties such as the escalating cost of living, if the government is sincerely engaged in the war against the LTTE. The UNP can never mobilize people against the war. The JVP may support UNP to fight waste and corruption of the government. The JVP also demands the government establish local government authorities in the east for people to enjoy rights of democracy. If Saddam, Why Not Prabakharan? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Weerawansa asked the Ambassador why, if America can kill Saddam Hussein, is Sri Lanka criticized for trying to kill Prabakharan? Why does the US insist on a political solution in Sri Lanka when it pursues a military solution in Iraq? The Ambassador responded that the U.S. did not kill Saddam Hussein. He was executed by Iraqi authorities after a fair and public trial. The Ambassador also denied any contradiction between our policies in Iraq and Sri Lanka. The United States has made great efforts to restore democracy and ensure real power-sharing between the Sunnis, Shi,a and Kurdish communities, and has advocated power-sharing in Sri Lanka through the All Parties process. US Must Help Defeat LTTE, Not Call for Negotiation COLOMBO 00001372 002 OF 002 -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Weerawansa responded that if President Bush wants to eradicate terrorism globally, the US must help Sri Lanka to fight the LTTE. The JVP appreciated the US tracking down and arresting LTTE activists in America and in other countries, but does not agree with the US suggestion for the government to negotiate with the LTTE. The JVP believes that nothing should be discussed with the LTTE until and unless they agree to lay down arms. This is where the UNP made mistakes. They were "lap dogs" of the international community. The JVP would never allow this government to be that, Weerawansa concluded. The Ambassador responded that the U.S. has done a great deal on many fronts to help Sri Lanka defend itself against the LTTE. But he stressed the U.S. view that the LTTE cannot be defeated purely by military means; there must also be a political strategy to address the underlying causes of the conflict. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Weerawansa is one of the JVP,s most charismatic young leaders. His views are shared by other southern Sinhalese Buddhists, not just JVP stalwarts. His position within the party is somewhat precarious, however. Many of his party colleagues consider him too close to the Rajapaksas, both Gothabaya and Basil. Further, rumors abound that he has used his political connections to make illicit millions on shady transactions. One of the JVP,s signature issues is the fight against corruption, so it can hardly afford the appearance of taint. Because of this, Wimal was the subject of proceedings in early 2007 to exclude him from the party. Some other JVP Members of Parliament have founded a separate caucus within the party, which could be a prelude to a split. Nevertheless, Wimal is probably correct that for most JVPers, an alliance with the UNP opposition (which signed the 2002 Cease-fire Agreement with the hated Tigers) would be a bridge too far. The JVP also stands to lose a large number of its 37 Parliamentary seats in the event of new elections. We therefore think it likely that at the last minute the JVP will find a way to preserve its own unity, hold its nose, and vote with the government on the budget. The JVP often criticizes the US so this was a good opportunity to engage one of the JVP firebrands and perhaps temper their future attacks. BLAKE