EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 11/19/2008 REGARDING

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001046 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/RD/SCA, DS/DSS/ITA, CA AND SA/INS NEW DELHI FOR LEGAL ATTACHE OFFICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC PTER SUBJECT: EMBASSY COLOMBO EAC MEETING 11/19/2008 REGARDING NOVEMBER 27, LTTE "HEROES DAY" ¶1. (SBU) Summary: AmEmbassy Colombo convened an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on November 19, 2008. The EAC discussed post's security posture and security for the official and expatriate American communities vis-a-vis possible Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist attacks in conjunction with the LTTE's November 27 "Heroes Day." The EAC discussed threat information, travel (official and personal) during the period November 20-28, and notifications to the expatriate American citizen (Amcit) community. The EAC recommended that Mission personnel consider deferring non-essential travel during the period; that personnel consult the RSO prior to any travel outside Colombo; that Embassy officers carefully review their schedules for this period; and that the Consular Section issue a Warden message. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On November 19, 2008, AmEmbassy Colombo convened an EAC meeting. Present for the meeting were the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Regional Security Officer, Consular Officer, Economic Officer, International Broadcasting Bureau Station Chief, Public Affairs Officer, Defense Attache, Political Officer, Health Unit Officer, Department of Homeland Security representative, USAID Director, Regional Affairs Officer, Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander, Management Officer, and Community Liaison Officer. The agenda items for the meeting were: -- Possible increased threat of LTTE terrorist activity during the period leading up to, and immediately after, the LTTE's Heroes Day on November 27 -- Security for the official and expatriate Amcit communities in light of the potential increased threat -- Official and personal travel during the period from November 20-28 -- Notifications to the expatriate Amcit community ¶3. (SBU) The EAC discussed the potential for increased terrorist activity in the run up to the LTTE's November 27 "Heroes Day," when LTTE leader Prabhakaran issues his annual statement to his followers. Following past practice, the GSL is warning of possible terrorist attacks in Colombo and other areas of Sri Lanka. However, unlike recent years, the GSL's recent military successes in the Northern Province have pushed the LTTE into an ever-shrinking area. With their backs against the wall, the LTTE might try to conduct large-scale attacks in other areas of the country to boost morale, rally support, and demonstrate that the LTTE is still a viable fighting force. Members of the EAC had not received specific threat information from their security and intelligence contacts. The UN has instructed its staff to restrict non-essential travel during this period. ¶4. (SBU) The EAC concurred that it is reasonable to believe that the LTTE may attempt to carry out reprisal attacks during the period of November 20-28. Therefore, while the LTTE has not and most likely will not specifically target American citizens or facilities, the overall threat to Amcits is generally elevated during this period. Consequently, the EAC recommended the following measures: -- Mission employees should consider deferring non-essential travel through November 28 and consult the RSO on a case-by-case basis prior to traveling. -- USG personnel should closely scrutinize their schedules and planned events during this period so as to minimize, when possible, contact with and proximity to high-profile LTTE targets. -- The Consular Section should issue a Warden message, reminding the expatriate American community of the possibility of attacks during this period and recommending appropriate security measures. ¶5. (U) Post will continue to monitor the security environment and will report further developments, if any, septel. POC for this message is RSO Michael V. Perkins, who may be contacted at 94.11.249.8885, 94.11.249.8888 (MSG Post 1 after regular business hours),or via the classified and unclassified email systems. Blake