REQUEST FOR USG DEMINING EQUIPMENT FOR SRI LANKAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000913 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR USG DEMINING EQUIPMENT FOR SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT COLOMBO 00000913 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request for Department. See paragraph 5. ¶2. (C) Officials of the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) have often said that the release of the more than 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently held in closed camps cannot take place until demining operations are completed in areas of the north and east of the country once held by the LTTE and now saturated with landmines. The U.S. has contributed $6.6 million this year to demining INGOs working in these areas, but the GSL has made repeated verbal requests to ambassador and other U.S. officials to supply additional demining equipment directly to the GSL -- and, in particular, the Sri Lankan Army (SLA). ¶3. (C) Post believes that providing demining equipment to the GSL could advance significantly U.S. policy interests in Sri Lanka. By speeding the pace of demining, the supply of equipment would reduce one of the principal GSL rationales for not releasing IDPs from the camps. Supplying equipment directly to the GSL in addition to what we are already giving through the INGOs also would help blunt GSL complaints that the U.S. and other international partners play politics with demining assistance by not dealing directly with the GSL. Longer term, this equipment would increase the capacity of Sri Lankan military engineers to support demining efforts as part of future peacekeeping operations. ¶4. (C) Meeting these objectives, however, depends on supplying the equipment very quickly, that is, in a matter of weeks, not months. Post understands Washington now is considering options for possibly making such a rapid provision of the demining equipment. Sri Lankan presidential advisor Basil Rajapaksa, who is the GSL pointman on demining, has identified needs in three areas: excavation equipment, metal detectors, and protective gear and apparel (this equipment is described in greater detail below). Consensus among the demining community in Sri Lanka is that of the GSL entities involved in demining, the SLA is best positioned to make use of such equipment, provided it takes steps to ensure adequate training for demining personnel and proper quality control of mine clearance activity. (NOTE: Post understands that the Humanitarian Demining Unit of the Ministry of Nation Building is now largely non-functioning and that the SLA is now the lead GSL organization doing demining. The SLA currently has an estimated 1,000 demining personnel with a virtually unlimited capacity to expand. END NOTE.) Post believes that provision of 1.5 to 2 million USD in equipment would represent a significant contribution to the demining effort and would substantially advance U.S. interests in Sri Lanka. ¶5. (C) ACTION REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT: Post requests Department identify sources of USG funding to supply demining equipment to the GSL in the following categories: Excavators -------------- -- Description: These machines are essentially armored backhoes, front-end loaders, and excavating machines (the base) that are fitted with specialized tools used for demining. They are perhaps the most versatile demining platforms because of the variety of tools that can be attached depending on the type of terrain, soil or mines being cleared. -- Availability: Excavators could be purchased on the regular COLOMBO 00000913 002.2 OF 002 construction/farm equipment market and then armor and tools produced by local Sri Lankan metal fabrication shops could be added. Base equipment is widely available, attachments relatively easy to fabricate by local vendors. Estimate 4-6 weeks for delivery, if base equipment is purchased in-country. -- Cost: 125,000 to 250,000 USD per machine, depending on size, medium or large. Cost would include spare parts, essential for equipment that is often operating under extreme conditions. Hand-Held Metal Detectors -------------- -- Description: Hand-held devices used by manual deminers to locate mines. More basic technology is a metal detector, while more advanced technology uses various methods to detect mines. Some models scan a larger area at once, some are better for battle-area-clearance (BAC) as opposed to looking for buried mines. -- Availability: Widely available, multiple producers worldwide. Probably about four weeks delivery time, not accounting for any import-permit delays. -- Cost: 2,000-5,000 USD per detector, depending on technology Protective Gear -------------- -- Description: Protective suits worn by deminers as they clear areas, including polycarbonate visors to protect the face and head. One demining INGO has begun purchasing suits from a local producer and is satisfied with the results, although others say there has not yet been sufficient field use to determine quality. -- Availability: Fairly widely available. Possible local source, good manufacturer in Cambodia, and a U.S./Canadian company is known for having the best equipment. -- Cost: Approximately 125 USD per suit, including visor/helmet BUTENIS