Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO35
2007-01-09 12:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKAN MONITORING MISSION ADAPTING TO RESUMED
how-toVZCZCXRO2950 OO RUEHBI DE RUEHLM #0035/01 0091217 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091217Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5081 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0102 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 9753 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 6691 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 4757 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3426 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0441 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 3518 RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK PRIORITY 0016 RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0505 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2598 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 7255 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5019 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1666 RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 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 SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000035
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: PTER PGOV MOPS PREL CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKAN MONITORING MISSION ADAPTING TO RESUMED
ARMED CONFLICT
COLOMBO 00000035 001.2 OF 002
ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR
TELEGRAM CANCELLED PER DRAFTER. WILL BE RETRANSMITTED WITH
NEW NUMBERS.
ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR ZFR
COLOMBO 00000035 002 OF 002
¶6. (SBU) The SLMM reacted both to recent Sri Lankan Air
Force strikes against LTTE targets and to the recent spate of
bus bombings by sending investigators and posting the
findings on the SLMM website. The SLMM issued press
statements deploring the targeting of civilians and urging
both parties to observe their obligations under the CFA to
spare the civilian population. However, it refrained from
assigning blame to the LTTE as the likely perpetrator of the
bus bombings, presumably for lack of clear proof.
¶7. (C) COMMENT: The SLMM continues to play an indispensable
role in sorting out fact from fiction on the ground. There
is no other authority we trust for impartial assessments of
the realities regarding the numerous acts of violence. It
has recently distanced itself from its previous approach of
"ruling" against one of the warring parties. It is now
investigating incidents that are not part of a more-or-less
conventional armed conflict, but include acts of terrorism.
Perhaps this is what Solvberg meant by becoming more
"relevant." It is hard to see how the mission will be able
to operate effectively without having a forward base of
operations closer to the main theaters of hostilities in the
north and east. Still, the strategy of avoiding a static
presence that could present a clear target is probably a wise
one. Embassy will follow up on the SLMM's request for closer
cooperation, especially any requests for U.S. assistance.
BLAKE