Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO456
2009-04-23 10:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 59
how-toO 231056Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9859 INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 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 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 000456
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 59
REF: A) Colombo 454 B) Colombo 448 C) Colombo 435 D) Colombo 432
E) Colombo 425 F) Colombo 418 G) Colombo 414 H) Colombo 413 I)
Colombo 412 J) Colombo 411 K) Colombo 402 L) Colombo 401 and
previous
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000456
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 59
REF: A) Colombo 454 B) Colombo 448 C) Colombo 435 D) Colombo 432
E) Colombo 425 F) Colombo 418 G) Colombo 414 H) Colombo 413 I)
Colombo 412 J) Colombo 411 K) Colombo 402 L) Colombo 401 and
previous
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Conditions continue to worsen for civilians caught
inside the NFZ, as the GSL presses on in its pursuit of remaining
LTTE cadres and leadership. The UN estimates between 50,000 and
80,000 civilians may remain inside the NFZ, while between 100,000
and 110,000 appear to have escaped the NFZ since early April 20. At
a briefing with the diplomatic community, FM Bogollogama stated that
not a single civilian casualty had been caused by GSL military
forces. The UN is highlighting the enormous need for capacity to
care for these recent evacuees, and FM Bogollogama called for
international assistance. End summary.
TERRIBLE CONDITIONS INSIDE NFZ REPORTED
--------------
2. (SBU) ICRC reported very dire conditions inside the NFZ when
their medical evacuation ferry landed there the afternoon of April
22. Shelling around the new landing site was constant during their
evacuation of 350 persons. They reported conditions among civilians
were so bad that not only was it impossible to bring in and
distribute any food supplies, but food was no longer even a priority
at this point.
3. (SBU) Post contact inside the NFZ at Valayanmadam reported more
heavy shelling the morning of April 23, as the LTTE continue to try
to push civilians towards the southern end of the NFZ. Civilians
are having trouble getting to wells for water due to continuous
firing.
FM BOGOLLAGAMA BRIEFS DIPLOMATS
--------------
4. (SBU) Foreign Minister Bogollagama gave a briefing on the current
situation to the diplomatic community the morning of April 23. He
stated that since the morning of April 20, 102,790 civilians had
been evacuated from the NFZ. He called this "the largest hostage
rescue operation that has been undertaken by any military in the
world." He went on to say that this was a "fitting reply to certain
skeptical members of the international community who, obviously
misguided by Tiger propaganda, have been making persistent
predictions of massive civilian casualties, in the event our
security forces embarked on the rescue mission." He stated that GSL
forces are not shelling the NFZ.
5. (SBU) FM Bogollagama stated that GSL shares the concern of the
international community over plight of civilians still under LTTE
control, and acknowledged the enormity of the IDP situation now at
hand. He called for help from the international community with
tents, water supply equipment, and medical assistance.
UN OUTLINES NEEDS TO FM
--------------
6. (SBU) During the q-and-a after the briefing with FM Bogollagama,
UN Resident Representative Neil Buhne outlined the critical
humanitarian needs at this point as more rapid passage of supplies
through military checkpoints going to Vavuniya, the sharing of IDP
registration information with the UN, the identification of
additional shelter sites, and the importance of continued medical
evacuations from the NFZ by ICRC. Buhne said the UN hoped that they
would still be allowed to facilitate a further exit of civilians
from the NFZ as had been agreed upon during the Nambiyar visit.
FM ON CASUALTIES AND FOREIGN MEDICAL STAFF
--------------
7. (SBU) DCM welcomed the escape of many civilians from the conflict
zone but underlined deep U.S. concern about the tens of thousands
who remain in the zone and about the high level of civilian
casualties. He asked for the government's estimate of casualties
since the rescue operation began. FM Bogollagama stated
categorically that no civilian casualties had been caused by the GSL
military. He said any casualties were either LTTE cadres or were
the victims of LTTE firing or suicide blasts.
8. (SBU) In response to another question by the DCM, Bogollagama
stated that foreign medical personnel would be allowed into Sri
Lanka to accompany any field hospitals or other medical supplies
provided by the international community.
GSL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INACCURATE NUMBERS
--------------
9. (SBU) In notes accompanying the text of FM Bogollagama's speech,
it was acknowledged that earlier GSL estimates of the number of
civilians inside the NFZ had been wrong. This was not mentioned
during the actual briefing, but the text noted that while GSL
estimates just prior to April 20 were of 50-60,000 civilians inside
the NFZ, 100,000 had exited since that date.
MILITARY SAYS ONE WEEK TO CLEAR NFZ
--------------
10. (SBU) On April 23 the Sri Lankan Army assessed operations to
clear the NFZ may take a week longer. The heaviest fighting was
currently along the A-35 road near the western edge of the NFZ. The
military were convinced Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, and Soosai were
still in the NFZ. They felt LTTE ground operations were being
commanded by Velawan. They estimated the LTTE had 2 artillery tubes
left, used in direct fire mode. LTTE still had numerous mortars,
but a shortage of small arms and machine gun ammunition. Sri Lankan
military estimated 10-15K civilians still in the NFZ, based in part
on that figure provided April 22 by the LTTE's just captured former
media chief. Army estimated about 300 hardcore LTTE cadres left,
while the Sri Lankan Navy estimated 200-300 Sea Tigers remained.
The Sri Lankan Air Force said no airplanes remained though the 2
small helicopters the LTTE had were unaccounted for.
STRONG INDIAN STATEMENT
--------------
11. (SBU) The Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor of
India released a strong statement on April 23, as follows: "The
Prime Minister reviewed the evolving situation in Sri Lanka this
evening with me, Raksha Mantri, National Security Adviser and
Foreign Secretary.
"We are very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent Tamil
civilians in Sri Lanka. These killings must stop. The Sri Lankan
Government has a responsibility to protect its own citizens. And the
LTTE must stop its barbaric attempt to hold civilians hostage.
"There is no military solution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis,
and all concerned should recognise this fact. The only lasting
solution will come from political efforts to address the real
concerns of the Tamil people, giving them lives of dignity within
the Sri Lankan mainstream.
"India will work to achieve this goal, and will do all it can to
also ameliorate the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
"I am speaking to many of my counterparts around the world to join
us in this effort."
MEDICAL/FOOD SHIP ACCESS VERY DIFFICULT
--------------
12. (SBU) ICRC reported ferry access for medical evacuations was
increasingly difficult at the new site. Another 450-500 evacuations
were hoped for on April 23, with another trip planned for April 24,
with some 1,000 to 1,500 waiting for evacuation. The WFP food ship
was loaded and waiting for word from the ICRC ferry of when
conditions at landing site would allow food delivery, but offload
and delivery of food very difficult under constant fire. The
Government Agent for Mullaitivu, who had been inside the NFZ and
instrumental in keeping the evacuations and food shipments running,
was reportedly trying to leave the NFZ now.
UN ESTIMATES 50,000 TO 80,000 REMAIN
--------------
13. (SBU) The UN, while acknowledging the increasing difficulty in
getting accurate numbers, estimated between 50,000 and 80,000
civilians remained inside the NFZ, with some 110,000 already
evacuated since early April 20. A UN source said their current
estimate of casualties in the NFZ from January 20 to April 20, not
including the last 3 days, was 6,432 killed and 13,946 injured.
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 59
REF: A) Colombo 454 B) Colombo 448 C) Colombo 435 D) Colombo 432
E) Colombo 425 F) Colombo 418 G) Colombo 414 H) Colombo 413 I)
Colombo 412 J) Colombo 411 K) Colombo 402 L) Colombo 401 and
previous
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Conditions continue to worsen for civilians caught
inside the NFZ, as the GSL presses on in its pursuit of remaining
LTTE cadres and leadership. The UN estimates between 50,000 and
80,000 civilians may remain inside the NFZ, while between 100,000
and 110,000 appear to have escaped the NFZ since early April 20. At
a briefing with the diplomatic community, FM Bogollogama stated that
not a single civilian casualty had been caused by GSL military
forces. The UN is highlighting the enormous need for capacity to
care for these recent evacuees, and FM Bogollogama called for
international assistance. End summary.
TERRIBLE CONDITIONS INSIDE NFZ REPORTED
--------------
2. (SBU) ICRC reported very dire conditions inside the NFZ when
their medical evacuation ferry landed there the afternoon of April
22. Shelling around the new landing site was constant during their
evacuation of 350 persons. They reported conditions among civilians
were so bad that not only was it impossible to bring in and
distribute any food supplies, but food was no longer even a priority
at this point.
3. (SBU) Post contact inside the NFZ at Valayanmadam reported more
heavy shelling the morning of April 23, as the LTTE continue to try
to push civilians towards the southern end of the NFZ. Civilians
are having trouble getting to wells for water due to continuous
firing.
FM BOGOLLAGAMA BRIEFS DIPLOMATS
--------------
4. (SBU) Foreign Minister Bogollagama gave a briefing on the current
situation to the diplomatic community the morning of April 23. He
stated that since the morning of April 20, 102,790 civilians had
been evacuated from the NFZ. He called this "the largest hostage
rescue operation that has been undertaken by any military in the
world." He went on to say that this was a "fitting reply to certain
skeptical members of the international community who, obviously
misguided by Tiger propaganda, have been making persistent
predictions of massive civilian casualties, in the event our
security forces embarked on the rescue mission." He stated that GSL
forces are not shelling the NFZ.
5. (SBU) FM Bogollagama stated that GSL shares the concern of the
international community over plight of civilians still under LTTE
control, and acknowledged the enormity of the IDP situation now at
hand. He called for help from the international community with
tents, water supply equipment, and medical assistance.
UN OUTLINES NEEDS TO FM
--------------
6. (SBU) During the q-and-a after the briefing with FM Bogollagama,
UN Resident Representative Neil Buhne outlined the critical
humanitarian needs at this point as more rapid passage of supplies
through military checkpoints going to Vavuniya, the sharing of IDP
registration information with the UN, the identification of
additional shelter sites, and the importance of continued medical
evacuations from the NFZ by ICRC. Buhne said the UN hoped that they
would still be allowed to facilitate a further exit of civilians
from the NFZ as had been agreed upon during the Nambiyar visit.
FM ON CASUALTIES AND FOREIGN MEDICAL STAFF
--------------
7. (SBU) DCM welcomed the escape of many civilians from the conflict
zone but underlined deep U.S. concern about the tens of thousands
who remain in the zone and about the high level of civilian
casualties. He asked for the government's estimate of casualties
since the rescue operation began. FM Bogollagama stated
categorically that no civilian casualties had been caused by the GSL
military. He said any casualties were either LTTE cadres or were
the victims of LTTE firing or suicide blasts.
8. (SBU) In response to another question by the DCM, Bogollagama
stated that foreign medical personnel would be allowed into Sri
Lanka to accompany any field hospitals or other medical supplies
provided by the international community.
GSL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF INACCURATE NUMBERS
--------------
9. (SBU) In notes accompanying the text of FM Bogollagama's speech,
it was acknowledged that earlier GSL estimates of the number of
civilians inside the NFZ had been wrong. This was not mentioned
during the actual briefing, but the text noted that while GSL
estimates just prior to April 20 were of 50-60,000 civilians inside
the NFZ, 100,000 had exited since that date.
MILITARY SAYS ONE WEEK TO CLEAR NFZ
--------------
10. (SBU) On April 23 the Sri Lankan Army assessed operations to
clear the NFZ may take a week longer. The heaviest fighting was
currently along the A-35 road near the western edge of the NFZ. The
military were convinced Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, and Soosai were
still in the NFZ. They felt LTTE ground operations were being
commanded by Velawan. They estimated the LTTE had 2 artillery tubes
left, used in direct fire mode. LTTE still had numerous mortars,
but a shortage of small arms and machine gun ammunition. Sri Lankan
military estimated 10-15K civilians still in the NFZ, based in part
on that figure provided April 22 by the LTTE's just captured former
media chief. Army estimated about 300 hardcore LTTE cadres left,
while the Sri Lankan Navy estimated 200-300 Sea Tigers remained.
The Sri Lankan Air Force said no airplanes remained though the 2
small helicopters the LTTE had were unaccounted for.
STRONG INDIAN STATEMENT
--------------
11. (SBU) The Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor of
India released a strong statement on April 23, as follows: "The
Prime Minister reviewed the evolving situation in Sri Lanka this
evening with me, Raksha Mantri, National Security Adviser and
Foreign Secretary.
"We are very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent Tamil
civilians in Sri Lanka. These killings must stop. The Sri Lankan
Government has a responsibility to protect its own citizens. And the
LTTE must stop its barbaric attempt to hold civilians hostage.
"There is no military solution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis,
and all concerned should recognise this fact. The only lasting
solution will come from political efforts to address the real
concerns of the Tamil people, giving them lives of dignity within
the Sri Lankan mainstream.
"India will work to achieve this goal, and will do all it can to
also ameliorate the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
"I am speaking to many of my counterparts around the world to join
us in this effort."
MEDICAL/FOOD SHIP ACCESS VERY DIFFICULT
--------------
12. (SBU) ICRC reported ferry access for medical evacuations was
increasingly difficult at the new site. Another 450-500 evacuations
were hoped for on April 23, with another trip planned for April 24,
with some 1,000 to 1,500 waiting for evacuation. The WFP food ship
was loaded and waiting for word from the ICRC ferry of when
conditions at landing site would allow food delivery, but offload
and delivery of food very difficult under constant fire. The
Government Agent for Mullaitivu, who had been inside the NFZ and
instrumental in keeping the evacuations and food shipments running,
was reportedly trying to leave the NFZ now.
UN ESTIMATES 50,000 TO 80,000 REMAIN
--------------
13. (SBU) The UN, while acknowledging the increasing difficulty in
getting accurate numbers, estimated between 50,000 and 80,000
civilians remained inside the NFZ, with some 110,000 already
evacuated since early April 20. A UN source said their current
estimate of casualties in the NFZ from January 20 to April 20, not
including the last 3 days, was 6,432 killed and 13,946 injured.
BLAKE