Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO393
2009-04-03 07:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 46
how-toO 030733Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9749 INFO AMEMBASSY ATHENS AMEMBASSY BANGKOK AMEMBASSY DHAKA AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI AMEMBASSY OSLO AMEMBASSY TOKYO AMCONSUL CHENNAI AMCONSUL MUMBAI AMCONSUL TORONTO USEU BRUSSELS USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USMISSION GENEVA HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI DIA WASHINGTON DC NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC SECDEF WASHDC CDRUSARPAC FT SHAFTER HI//APCW/APOP// CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J3/J332/J52//
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000393
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA (BOUCHER),SCA/INS AND PRM
STATE ALSO PASS USAID
AID/W FOR ANE/SCA, DCHA/FFP (DWORKEN, KSHEIN)
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA (MORRISP, ACONVERY, RTHAYER, RKERR)
ATHENS FOR PCARTER
BANGKOK FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA (WBERGER)
KATHMANDU FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA AND POL (SBERRY)
GENEVA FOR RMA (NKYLOH, NHILGERT, MPITOTTI)
USUN NEW YORK FOR ECOSOC (D MERCADO)
SECDEF FOR OSD - POLICY
PACOM ALSO FOR J-5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
SUBJECT: Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 46
Ref: A) Colombo 384 B) Colombo 374 C) Colombo 368 D) Colombo 361
E) Colombo 360 F) Colombo 357 G) Colombo 351 H) Colombo 342 I)
Colombo 329 J) Colombo 321 K) Colombo 320
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000393
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA (BOUCHER),SCA/INS AND PRM
STATE ALSO PASS USAID
AID/W FOR ANE/SCA, DCHA/FFP (DWORKEN, KSHEIN)
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA (MORRISP, ACONVERY, RTHAYER, RKERR)
ATHENS FOR PCARTER
BANGKOK FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA (WBERGER)
KATHMANDU FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA AND POL (SBERRY)
GENEVA FOR RMA (NKYLOH, NHILGERT, MPITOTTI)
USUN NEW YORK FOR ECOSOC (D MERCADO)
SECDEF FOR OSD - POLICY
PACOM ALSO FOR J-5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
SUBJECT: Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 46
Ref: A) Colombo 384 B) Colombo 374 C) Colombo 368 D) Colombo 361
E) Colombo 360 F) Colombo 357 G) Colombo 351 H) Colombo 342 I)
Colombo 329 J) Colombo 321 K) Colombo 320
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.N. satellite imagery documented clear
indications of damage from sustained shelling and air strikes in the
safe zone. Ambassador hosted a briefing for Co-Chair Heads of
Mission by U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs
Walter Kaelin. Norwegian Minister for International Development
Solheim spoke with LTTE Political Head B. Nadesan on April 1, but
broke no new ground. End Summary.
UN Imagery Documents Safe Zone Shelling
--------------
2. (SBU) U.N. satellite imagery taken on March 6, 15, 23 and 29
documented "clear indications" of damage "resulting from sustained
shelling and air strikes" within the GSL-declared safe zone. The
U.N. assessment documents an estimated 53 main buildings destroyed
and another 5 severely damaged within the safe zone. The count does
not include destruction or damage to IDP tent shelters. The imagery
also indicated sustained shelling outside of the safe zone with
"hundreds of buildings destroyed" in Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) and
impact craters as large as 17 meters in diameter. U.N. figures
indicate that 78% of civilian deaths from January 20 to March 31
occurred in the safe zone (Ref B). Ambassador recommended to U.N.
Resident Representative Neil Buhne that he consider sharing the U.N.
imagery with the GSL because it demonstrates that there is proof of
shelling and could discourage future shelling if the government
knows there is a mechanism for tracking it.
Ambassador and Other Chiefs
Of Mission Meet Kaelin
--------------
3. (SBU) Ambassador hosted a briefing for U.N. Special Rapporteur on
the Human Rights of IDPs, Walter Kaelin, together with Co-Chair
Heads of Mission. U.N. Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne also
attended (but the Indian High Commissioner did not). The
discussion centered on providing a uniform message to the GSL and
the need for the government to implement confidence-building
measures. The group agreed to encourage the GSL to focus on the
following priorities:
- Identify space for potentially as many as 150-180K new IDPs in
places closer to resettlement areas, such as Mannar and Pulmoddai.
- Develop a plan on where to send IDPs who are currently in
temporary transit sites in Kilinochchi and Omanthai.
- Accelerate measures to provide freedom of movement for IDPs
following issuance of identity cards. Establish a timetable for
issuing these ID cards.
- Demilitarize the IDP camps as soon as possible and turn them over
to civilian control. (Note: reports from Vavuniya indicate this
process of demilitarization has already begun.)
- Release and resettle IDPs as soon as possible with the end of 2009
as the target.
- Issue visas to NGOs on an ongoing basis in order to provide
personnel needed to assist GSL efforts to cope with a large and
sudden influx of IDPs.
The group further agreed on the need to advocate with the GSL to
handle IDPs in accordance with international humanitarian standards,
including international access to screening centers.
4. (SBU) Ambassador emphasized that the U.S. is most concerned about
shelling into areas with concentrations of civilians. Participants
agreed that it was incumbent on the GSL to show restraint when LTTE
fire came from areas with large concentrations of civilians.
Ambassador stated that the U.S. would support a special envoy to
help secure the release of civilians in the safe zone. He ended by
suggesting that we provide the GSL with brief and specific written
guidance on the agreed upon points, which would likely be the most
effective way to communicate the international community's concerns
over the treatment of IDPs.
Norway-LTTE Call
--------------
5. (SBU) Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Minister for International
Development discussed by phone the plight of the civilians in Vanni
with B. Nadesan, the head of the political wing of the Liberation
Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) on April 1. Norwegian Ambassador
Hattrem told Ambassador that Solheim communicated the international
community's strong desire that the LTTE release civilians trapped in
the safe zone and abide by international humanitarian law.
According to the pro-LTTE website TamilNet, Nadesan labeled the GSL
"genocidal" and stuck to existing LTTE positions that only an
immediate ceasefire would end the massacre of civilians still in
LTTE-held territory.
High Profile LTTE Casualties
--------------
6. (SBU) The military reported that Charles Anthony Brigade Leader
'Amitab' and his deputy 'Kobith' were killed in two separate clashes
in PTK April 3. (Note: Tamil sources have not confirmed the deaths.
The military frequently disseminates unconfirmed reports and
disinformation to the media to demoralize the Diaspora.)
Preparation for IDP Camps in Mannar
--------------
7. (SBU) UNHCR and Government officials have started identifying
areas in Mannar that could be used for additional IDP camps. Land
that could house an additional 6,000 IDPs has been selected. The
Government is hoping to find more available land with access to
water for another 20,000-30,000 civilians.
Civilian Casualties and IDP Outflow
--------------
8. (SBU) Tamil sources from within the LTTE-controlled area report
25 civilians were killed and 56 injured on April 2. (Note: Such
reports from Tamil sources cannot be confirmed and are frequently
exaggerated.) The Defense Ministry reported at least 279 civilians
had reached government territory during the daytime yesterday (April
2).
BLAKE
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA (BOUCHER),SCA/INS AND PRM
STATE ALSO PASS USAID
AID/W FOR ANE/SCA, DCHA/FFP (DWORKEN, KSHEIN)
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA (MORRISP, ACONVERY, RTHAYER, RKERR)
ATHENS FOR PCARTER
BANGKOK FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA (WBERGER)
KATHMANDU FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA AND POL (SBERRY)
GENEVA FOR RMA (NKYLOH, NHILGERT, MPITOTTI)
USUN NEW YORK FOR ECOSOC (D MERCADO)
SECDEF FOR OSD - POLICY
PACOM ALSO FOR J-5
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE
SUBJECT: Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 46
Ref: A) Colombo 384 B) Colombo 374 C) Colombo 368 D) Colombo 361
E) Colombo 360 F) Colombo 357 G) Colombo 351 H) Colombo 342 I)
Colombo 329 J) Colombo 321 K) Colombo 320
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.N. satellite imagery documented clear
indications of damage from sustained shelling and air strikes in the
safe zone. Ambassador hosted a briefing for Co-Chair Heads of
Mission by U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs
Walter Kaelin. Norwegian Minister for International Development
Solheim spoke with LTTE Political Head B. Nadesan on April 1, but
broke no new ground. End Summary.
UN Imagery Documents Safe Zone Shelling
--------------
2. (SBU) U.N. satellite imagery taken on March 6, 15, 23 and 29
documented "clear indications" of damage "resulting from sustained
shelling and air strikes" within the GSL-declared safe zone. The
U.N. assessment documents an estimated 53 main buildings destroyed
and another 5 severely damaged within the safe zone. The count does
not include destruction or damage to IDP tent shelters. The imagery
also indicated sustained shelling outside of the safe zone with
"hundreds of buildings destroyed" in Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) and
impact craters as large as 17 meters in diameter. U.N. figures
indicate that 78% of civilian deaths from January 20 to March 31
occurred in the safe zone (Ref B). Ambassador recommended to U.N.
Resident Representative Neil Buhne that he consider sharing the U.N.
imagery with the GSL because it demonstrates that there is proof of
shelling and could discourage future shelling if the government
knows there is a mechanism for tracking it.
Ambassador and Other Chiefs
Of Mission Meet Kaelin
--------------
3. (SBU) Ambassador hosted a briefing for U.N. Special Rapporteur on
the Human Rights of IDPs, Walter Kaelin, together with Co-Chair
Heads of Mission. U.N. Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne also
attended (but the Indian High Commissioner did not). The
discussion centered on providing a uniform message to the GSL and
the need for the government to implement confidence-building
measures. The group agreed to encourage the GSL to focus on the
following priorities:
- Identify space for potentially as many as 150-180K new IDPs in
places closer to resettlement areas, such as Mannar and Pulmoddai.
- Develop a plan on where to send IDPs who are currently in
temporary transit sites in Kilinochchi and Omanthai.
- Accelerate measures to provide freedom of movement for IDPs
following issuance of identity cards. Establish a timetable for
issuing these ID cards.
- Demilitarize the IDP camps as soon as possible and turn them over
to civilian control. (Note: reports from Vavuniya indicate this
process of demilitarization has already begun.)
- Release and resettle IDPs as soon as possible with the end of 2009
as the target.
- Issue visas to NGOs on an ongoing basis in order to provide
personnel needed to assist GSL efforts to cope with a large and
sudden influx of IDPs.
The group further agreed on the need to advocate with the GSL to
handle IDPs in accordance with international humanitarian standards,
including international access to screening centers.
4. (SBU) Ambassador emphasized that the U.S. is most concerned about
shelling into areas with concentrations of civilians. Participants
agreed that it was incumbent on the GSL to show restraint when LTTE
fire came from areas with large concentrations of civilians.
Ambassador stated that the U.S. would support a special envoy to
help secure the release of civilians in the safe zone. He ended by
suggesting that we provide the GSL with brief and specific written
guidance on the agreed upon points, which would likely be the most
effective way to communicate the international community's concerns
over the treatment of IDPs.
Norway-LTTE Call
--------------
5. (SBU) Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Minister for International
Development discussed by phone the plight of the civilians in Vanni
with B. Nadesan, the head of the political wing of the Liberation
Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) on April 1. Norwegian Ambassador
Hattrem told Ambassador that Solheim communicated the international
community's strong desire that the LTTE release civilians trapped in
the safe zone and abide by international humanitarian law.
According to the pro-LTTE website TamilNet, Nadesan labeled the GSL
"genocidal" and stuck to existing LTTE positions that only an
immediate ceasefire would end the massacre of civilians still in
LTTE-held territory.
High Profile LTTE Casualties
--------------
6. (SBU) The military reported that Charles Anthony Brigade Leader
'Amitab' and his deputy 'Kobith' were killed in two separate clashes
in PTK April 3. (Note: Tamil sources have not confirmed the deaths.
The military frequently disseminates unconfirmed reports and
disinformation to the media to demoralize the Diaspora.)
Preparation for IDP Camps in Mannar
--------------
7. (SBU) UNHCR and Government officials have started identifying
areas in Mannar that could be used for additional IDP camps. Land
that could house an additional 6,000 IDPs has been selected. The
Government is hoping to find more available land with access to
water for another 20,000-30,000 civilians.
Civilian Casualties and IDP Outflow
--------------
8. (SBU) Tamil sources from within the LTTE-controlled area report
25 civilians were killed and 56 injured on April 2. (Note: Such
reports from Tamil sources cannot be confirmed and are frequently
exaggerated.) The Defense Ministry reported at least 279 civilians
had reached government territory during the daytime yesterday (April
2).
BLAKE