Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA833
2009-09-10 05:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SRI LANKAN IDPS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000833
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID EUN CE
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SRI LANKAN IDPS
REF: STATE 92641
Classified by Pol/Econ Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000833
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID EUN CE
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SRI LANKAN IDPS
REF: STATE 92641
Classified by Pol/Econ Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Pol/Econcouns delivered on September 8 reftel points on
freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri
Lanka to Gary Cowan, Director of the India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan
and Maldives section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) and raised the issue separately with Deborah Stokes, DFAT
First Assistant Secretary for South and West Asia, Middle East and
Africa.
2. (C) According to Cowan, the GOA is increasingly concerned about
Sri Lanka and is interested in a donor conference. Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith is following Sri Lanka closely, including the issue of
IDPs, and plans to visit the country in early 2010. He will likely
make a speech on Sri Lanka in the Australian parliament on September
14. (Note: Australia has a substantial ethnic Sri Lankan population
- approximately 62,000. End note.) The Australian High Commissioner
in Colombo is making another set of rounds this week to reinforce the
GOA's concern about IDPs.
3. (C) Cowan went on to say that the GOA intends to pursue closer
engagement with Sri Lanka through advocacy in Colombo and by
refraining from issuing publicly critical statements. Stokes echoed
these concerns, stating that there is worry that a more publicly
confrontational stance will alienate Sri Lanka and move the country
toward closer alignment with "new friends" such as Russia, Pakistan,
Iran and China. The GOA will focus on multilateral aid, but will
continue to deliver bilateral assistance such as demining. The
Australians maintain good cooperation with Sri Lanka on people
smuggling and Cowan sees this as an entree to deepen relations.
CLUNE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF PTER MASS SOCI EAID EUN CE
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON SRI LANKAN IDPS
REF: STATE 92641
Classified by Pol/Econ Counselor Edgard Kagan for reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) Pol/Econcouns delivered on September 8 reftel points on
freedom of movement for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri
Lanka to Gary Cowan, Director of the India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan
and Maldives section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(DFAT) and raised the issue separately with Deborah Stokes, DFAT
First Assistant Secretary for South and West Asia, Middle East and
Africa.
2. (C) According to Cowan, the GOA is increasingly concerned about
Sri Lanka and is interested in a donor conference. Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith is following Sri Lanka closely, including the issue of
IDPs, and plans to visit the country in early 2010. He will likely
make a speech on Sri Lanka in the Australian parliament on September
14. (Note: Australia has a substantial ethnic Sri Lankan population
- approximately 62,000. End note.) The Australian High Commissioner
in Colombo is making another set of rounds this week to reinforce the
GOA's concern about IDPs.
3. (C) Cowan went on to say that the GOA intends to pursue closer
engagement with Sri Lanka through advocacy in Colombo and by
refraining from issuing publicly critical statements. Stokes echoed
these concerns, stating that there is worry that a more publicly
confrontational stance will alienate Sri Lanka and move the country
toward closer alignment with "new friends" such as Russia, Pakistan,
Iran and China. The GOA will focus on multilateral aid, but will
continue to deliver bilateral assistance such as demining. The
Australians maintain good cooperation with Sri Lanka on people
smuggling and Cowan sees this as an entree to deepen relations.
CLUNE