A/S BLAKE-AKASHI TELECON

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 085620

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF PREL CE JA
SUBJECT: A/S BLAKE-AKASHI TELECON

Classified By: Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs
Robert O. Blake, Jr., reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. In an August 14 telephone conversation with
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian
Affairs Blake, Japanese Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Yasushi
Akashi said that Japan, anticipating a change in government
following upcoming elections, will delay the proposed
U.S.-Japan-India-Sri Lanka meeting in Tokyo until October.
He said Japan may also invite the EU, Norway, and China. He
was cautiously optimistic on easing the humanitarian crisis
in Sri Lanka and disappointed with the lack of progress on
political reconciliation. Akashi noted President Rajapaksa's
view that the GSL must reach out to the Tamil Diaspora and
avoid aligning itself too closely with pariah states. END
SUMMARY.

POSTPONE FOUR-PARTY TALKS TO OCTOBER
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2. (C) Akashi informed Blake that August 30 elections in
Japan would likely result in a change in government and that
the Japanese would like to see the new government well
installed before hosting U.S.-Japan-India-Sri Lanka talks.
Akashi said Japan might also invite the EU, Norway and,
perhaps, China. He promised to propose to A/S Blake new
dates as soon as possible, recognizing that October will be
busy ahead of the November visit to Washington of Indian PM
Singh. Akashi did not rule out meeting on the margins of
UNGA, but suggested that his government did not like the
idea. He cited the logistical complications of organizing a
multilateral meeting during UNGA and noted that it is Japan's
turn to host a meeting (albeit in the Co-Chairs format) and
that the GSL is counting on Japan to organize something.

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ON IDP RETURNS;
LESS ON POLITICAL RECONCILIATION
--------------


3. (C) Akashi was cautiously optimistic on easing the
humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, noting GSL announcements
that it would return 40,000 IDPs by the end of August and the
growing number of IDPs registered and issued ID cards.
Akashi was disappointed with the lack of progress on
political reconciliation. Akashi said he hoped President
Rajapaksa has not lost his commitment to political
reconciliation and expressed concern about plans to expand
the SL armed forces. Akashi noted the opposition Tamil
National Alliance's win in Vavuniya municipal elections as
evidence that the Tamils are uncomfortable with the
government -- something the GSL should pay attention to ahead
of upcoming national and presidential elections.


4. (C) Akashi inquired about A/S Blake's August 11 meeting
with U.S. Tamil Diaspora representatives. Blake discussed
the challenges the GSL faces trying to persuade Tamils that
the government seeks to unify and rebuild the country. The
Diaspora, with its economic resources and business
experience, could play an important role. Akashi said
President Rajapaksa agrees that he will need to try to win
over the Diaspora.


5. (C) Akashi told A/S Blake that former Japanese PM Fukuda
traveled to Sri Lanka recently to attend a ceremony
inaugurating the Japanese-funded Sigiriya Museum and spent
over five hours with President Rajapaksa. Fukuda reportedly
advised Rajapaksa that he "should not lean too close" to
states like Libya and Burma; Rajapaksa agreed.
CLINTON