SRI LANKA OFFERS TO PROVIDE ONE HELICOPTER FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000516 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS AND IO/PSC (MROZINSKI) E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2018 TAGS: KPKO MARR PREL SUBJECT: SRI LANKA OFFERS TO PROVIDE ONE HELICOPTER FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN DARFUR; REQUESTS ACCESS TO SPARE PARTS FOR NON-OPERATIONAL HELICOPTERS REF: A. (A) COLOMBO 476 ¶B. (B) COLOMBO 459 ¶C. (C) STATE 49277 Classified By: Charge James R. Moore for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In response to Ambassador's May 12 meeting with Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa (ref B) and follow-up conversations May 16 (ref A) and May 23, post today received written confimation, dated May 27, that the Government of Sri Lanka is prepared to make available one Bell 212 helicopter with crew in support of the UN-AU peacekeeping operation in Darfur. The letter from the Secretary of Defense notes, however, that due to current difficulties (U.S. Congressional restrictions on military assitance and sales to Sri Lanka) in obtaining spare parts from the U.S. for its helicopter fleet, the GSL would require access to spare parts for its unserviceable helicopters. ¶2. Charge spoke with Air Force Commander Goonetileke May 29 to seek clarification on the number and type of aircraft for which the GSL would be seeking spare parts. He pointed out that the U.S. was prepared to consider requests for upgrading or sustaining helicopters that participating countries may provide for the Darfur operation. Charge noted that he could not predict how the U.S. would respond to a request for spare parts for aircraft other than those offered for the Darfur operation. Goonetileke did not respond specifically, but indicated that four to five Bell 212s and 412s, as well as other air assets, were currently grounded awaiting repairs. He said the 212s are for VIP movements and the 412s are for troop transport and communications. ¶3. Action request: Please provide guidance as to how post should respond to this offer. ¶4. (SBU) Following is the text of the May 27 letter to Ambassador from the Secretary of Defense: 27 May 2008 His Excellency the Ambassador Embassy of the United States of America No,. 210, Galle Road Coilombo 3 You Excellency REQUEST FOR AVIATION ASSETS IN SUPPORT OF AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SUDAN (AMIS) ¶1. Ministry of Defence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents it compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka and wishes to refer to the telephone conversation the undersigned had with Your Excellency on the subject mentioned above on 12 May 2008. In fact, the Government of Sri Lanka considers the request favorably and is willing to respond within the available resources. ¶2. However, the Helicopter fleet of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is partially operational at present due to dfficiulties encountered in obtaining spares from the United States and Canada. Hence, the SLAF is not in a position to release any Helicopters immediately. ¶3. Nevertheless, if the SLAF is able to obtain the required spares from relevant suppliers in the United States and Canada to effect repairs on unserviceable Helicopters, the Government of Sri Lanka would be able to release one Bell 212 Helicopter initially along with the crew in support of AMIS. ¶4. The Ministry of Defence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of United States of America in Sri Lanka the assurances of its hiighest consideration. Yours Sincerely Gotabaya Rajapaksa Secretary Ministry of Defence Public Seuciryt, Law & Order Copy to: Commander of the Air Force, AFHQ, Colombo MOORE