Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TORONTO47
2009-03-06 20:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Toronto
Cable title:  

Toronto Tamil Community Presents Letter of Concern

Tags:  PGOV PTER PHUM CE CA 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHON #0047 0652040
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 062040Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL TORONTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2756
INFO RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 2142
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0023
UNCLAS TORONTO 000047 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAN AND SCA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM CE CA
SUBJECT: Toronto Tamil Community Presents Letter of Concern

UNCLAS TORONTO 000047

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAN AND SCA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PHUM CE CA
SUBJECT: Toronto Tamil Community Presents Letter of Concern


1. (U) During a March 3 Tamil protest in front of U.S. Consulate
General Toronto, a representative of the Tamil community asked to
meet the Consul General to present a letter of concern about Tamils
in Sri Lanka. Due to the ongoing protest (which remained peaceful),
and the fact that some members of the crowd of 600-700 were waving
flags of "Tamil Eelam," the CG declined to meet them or accept the
letter, but agreed to accept a letter from a Tamil community
representative on a different day.


2. (U) Two members of the Tamil community presented the letter to
the Consul General and a PolOff at the Consulate on March 6. They
expressed their group's concerns regarding the conflict in Sri Lanka
and what they call a "genocide." The letter, which is addressed to
President Obama, requests USG intervention. We took the letter and
said we would forward it to Washington, noting that the United
States also supports peace in Sri Lanka, but that the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),an internationally designated
terrorist group, has a long history of terrorism and mistreating
civilians, including using them as hostages, and should lay down its
arms. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes.


3. (U) We are faxing the letter to the SCA/INS for the Sri Lanka
desk officer and to WHA/CAN. No reply to the letter was promised or
implied.

NAY