Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO95
2009-01-27 12:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

SRI LANKA: DECLARED SAFE ZONE INOPERATIVE; ICRC

Tags:  PREL MOPS PHUM CE 
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O 271239Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9256
INFO AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL TORONTO PRIORITY 
SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 
DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
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).

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