SRI LANKA: DECLARED SAFE ZONE INOPERATIVE; ICRC

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000095 DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS STATE PLEASE PASS USAID PACOM FOR J-5 SECDEF FOR OSD - POLICY E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018 TAGS: PREL MOPS PHUM CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: DECLARED SAFE ZONE INOPERATIVE; ICRC CONTEMPLATES FULL WITHDRAWAL REF: A. COLOMBO 079 ¶B. COLOMBO 033 Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In separate briefings, UN and ICRC representatives reported that repeated violations of the "safe zone" had compelled their staffs to return to Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK). Recent intense fighting reportedly has killed 300 civilians. The ICRC reports "tens" injured on a daily basis and an urgent need for medical evacuations of those injured. On January 27, the ICRC reported that Secretary of Defense Rajapaksa had ordered ICRC staff out of the Vanni. Ambassador tried and failed to reach Rajapaksa but spoke with Foreign Secretary Kohona, who agreed to pass to the MOD the Ambassador's request that the GSL remain flexible to a continued but limited ICRC presence in the PTK hospital. Later that day Rajapaksa backtracked and offered assurances Government troops would not fire on ICRC staff. The ICRC is currently in internal discussions about their continued presence in the Vanni. In New York the UNSYG issued a statement urging both sides to facilitate the movement of the 250,000 civilians out of danger. Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem agreed with Ambassador's suggestion that he contact the LTTE to urge them to allow a substantial portion of the civilian population to depart, but has yet to get through to the LTTE. Hattrem then reported that the Norwegian government would be issuing a statement shortly condemning both sides for their conduct in the recent fighting. Post requests A/S Boucher call Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, who is currently in New York, to reinforce our concerns. End Summary. UN and ICRC Return to PTK Due to Shelling in "Safe" Zone -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In a January 26 meeting, UN representatives told USAID Director and other members of the diplomatic community that both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan military were repeatedly violating the "safe" no-fire zone unilaterally declared by the GSL on January 21 (ref A). On January 25, one of the UN's compounds suffered damage as a result of shelling. Hospitals within the safe area have also been hit. The UN and ICRC are now returning to Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) after initially moving into the "safe" zone. Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella continued to maintain publicly that the Army "has not and won't fire into Safe Zones designed for civilians." ICRC staff conveyed a sense of urgency in a separate briefing on the situation. According to the ICRC, the Government Agent (GA) for Mullaitivu reported that 50% of the total Vanni population is in the "safe" area, but given the lack of space, many families are in surrounding areas outside of the zone's borders. A report from a government medical officer in the area indicated 300 civilians have already been killed in recent fighting. The ICRC is reporting "tens" of civilians being injured every day. ICRC asked for assistance from the diplomatic community to urge the GSL to allow medical evacuations for the injured out of the conflict zone. Both the UN and the ICRC reported that the LTTE is still present and active in the areas under its control and is maintaining its pass offices to restrict the movement of the civilian population out of the area of fighting. Defense Secretary Orders ICRC Out of Vanni, Then Backtracks; Ambassadors Urges GSL to Show Flexibility; -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) On the morning of January 27 ICRC Chief Paul Castella called Ambassador to report that Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa had ordered the ICRC to depart the Vanni within two hours. Castella asked the Ambassador to intervene. Ambassador tried and failed to reach the Defense Secretary, and could also not reach Presidential Advisor Lalith Weeratunga. Ambassador did speak with Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, who was not aware of the order. Ambassador asked the MFA to convey to the MOD that the military needed to be flexible in two areas: -- First, ICRC should be allowed to maintain a small presence at PTK hospital - the only operational hospital in the area - to treat the 200 casualties who are currently there, as well as future cases. Ambassador noted that the only reason it would not be safe for ICRC staff to remain at PTK hospital would be if the GSL fires into the area, since the LTTE had already provided assurances to the ICRC that they would respect the safe zone around the hospital. -- Secondly, the GSL should understand that it will take time for ICRC staff to depart since they will also need to obtain LTTE assurances of safe passage before leaving. Kohona agreed to convey the points to the Ministry of Defense. Later Castella reported that in a meeting with the Defense Minister, Rajapaksa backtracked, indicating that the GSL was "warning" the ICRC not to stay because they could not guarantee what the LTTE would do - but giving assurances that ICRC staff would not be harmed by Government troops or shelling from the Government side. Castella reported that ICRC was now in internal discussions about whether to remain, in what numbers, and what the ICRC's tripwires should be for a complete withdrawal. UNSYG Urges Both Sides to Protect Civilians -------------- ¶4. (U) On January 26, UNSYG met with Sri Lankan Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa in New York and urged both sides to respect no fire zones and safe areas. UNSYG expressed deep concern that the civilian population of the Vanni is in increasingly dire need of humanitarian aid, including food, water, sanitation and shelter. UNSYG called on all parties to allow and facilitate the movement of 250,000 civilians currently in the area of fighting to safe areas. Ambassador Publicly Urges Protection of IDPs -------------- ¶5. (U) Embassy issued the following release covering Ambassador's public statement urging protection of the displaced population of the North. Begin Text U.S. Ambassador Urges Protection and Announces Food Aid for Displaced Persons in the North January 27, 2009: In a ceremony held today in Wellampitiya U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake handed over US$6.9 million (785 million rupees) in food aid to the World Food Programme (WFP) for distribution to internally displaced persons in the North. The donation demonstrates the United States' continued concern for the welfare of Sri Lankans who have been displaced and trapped by the ongoing conflict. Today's donation, including 1,344 tons of lentils, 779 tons of vegetable oil, and 4,270 tons of wheat, is the most recent contribution of food relief by the Government of the United States through its development arm, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It comes in addition to $29 million in food assistance that the U.S. provided in 2008 to the people of the North in Fiscal Year 2008. World Food Programme and Government officials are working together to move the ongoing food relief donations to warehouses closer to the conflict area so it can continue to be distributed to the men, women, and children affected by the conflict who depend on the assistance. In his remarks, the Ambassador expressed grave concern for the more than 230,000 internally displaced persons trapped by fighting in the north who currently face great danger as fighting gets closer to the no-fire zone established by the Government. He urged both the LTTE and the Government to take special care now to protect civilians. "The LTTE must immediately desist from firing heavy weapons from areas within or near civilian concentrations. The Government must also resist the temptation to launch retaliatory shelling into areas populated by civilians," stated Ambassador Blake. "Both sides must exercise maximum restraint to ensure civilians are not caught in crossfire." Ambassador Blake thanked Adnan Khan, Director, World Food Programme; the Honorable Rashad Bathiudeen Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services and Mr. W. K. K. Kumarasiri, Secretary, Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development, for their organizations efforts to reach citizens in need and provide the services they so desperately require. Ambassador Suggests Norwegians Urge LTTE To Let IDPs Leave -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador called his Norwegian counterpart Tore Hattrem on January 27. He suggested that Hattrem call the LTTE to communicate that it has become increasingly difficult for the UN and ICRC to provide food and other emergency services. As a result, Hattrem should urge the Tigers to allow a substantial proportion of the IDPs to leave the territory under their control. Later Hattrem reported that the LTTE was not taking his call, but noted that the Norwegian government was issuing a statement condemning both parties for their conduct in the recent fighting and their lack of respect for international humanitarian law. ¶7. (C) ACTION REQUEST: We recommend that A/S Boucher place a call to Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, currently in New York following his meeting with the UNSYG, and make the following points: -- The U.S. is very concerned about the humanitarian situation in the North. Credible reports including one from a government source suggest as many as 300 civilians have been killed in recent fighting. -- The U.S. has publicly urged the LTTE to allow IDPs freedom of movement and to not fire from positions in or near IDP concentrations, but it is also incumbent on the government not to fire artillery in response to such provocations. -- The U.S. is also very concerned about humanitarian access into the Vanni. We support UN efforts to continue weekly convoys and urge that the government provide half-day windows during which food and other relief could be delivered. (Note: the UN is trying to work out modalities to send in a convoy Thursday, returning the same day.) -- It is also important that the GSL and military take special precautions so the ICRC can continue to evacuate wounded from the Vanni and deliver medicine and other medical supplies to the North. -- The Government has gained considerable credit until this point for conducting a disciplined military campaign over the past two years that minimized civilian casualties. We are concerned by statements from several Government Ministers that the GSL will fully occupy the Vanni by your independence day on February 4. Given the recent high civilian casualties, we urge that you not tarnish your reputation for minimizing civilian casualties in your haste to end hostilities by February 4. If possible, we recommend PACOM Major General Conant, who just visited Sri Lanka, make the same points to Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa as well. Blake