U/SYG HOLMES BRIEFS ON THE "HORROR" OF THE

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000464

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF CE
SUBJECT: U/SYG HOLMES BRIEFS ON THE "HORROR" OF THE
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SRI LANKA


1. (SBU) Summary: The Security Council met on April 30 in an
"informal interactive" format to consider the situation in
Sri Lanka. U/SYG Holmes briefed on his latest visit there,
and Sri Lankan PR Palihakkara briefed on the government,s
position. Following the meeting, the Mexican Presidency
briefed the press on the following themes: grave concern at
the humanitarian situation, support to the UN,s efforts in
Sri Lanka, condemnation of the LTTE,s actions, calling on
the government to work with the UN on assisting civilians,
and concern regarding allegations of violations of
international humanitarian law. Holmes gave his strongest
statement yet to the Council: he said the "horror" of the
situation in Sri Lanka is not provoking sufficient reaction
by the government and the LTTE, and he hoped that any further
violations of international humanitarian law would not go
unpunished. Ambassador Rice thanked Holmes for the UN's
high-level attention to this issue, and strongly emphasized
the deep concern of the U.S. to this "growing and extremely
grave humanitarian crisis." Continued controversy at the end
of the session on the thrust of these press elements led both
the UK and French Ambassadors to float the idea of referring
Sri Lanka to the formal agenda of the Council. End summary.


2. (SBU) U/SYG Holmes reviewed his visit and said Sri Lanka
currently was suffering from two crises: the crisis of the
civilians still trapped in the conflict area and the crisis
of the approximately 175,000 internally displaced civilians
heading to or currently in camps. Regarding those trapped in
the conflict area, Holmes said their "daily reality is beyond
what any human being can or should bear." He noted
furthermore that the 175,000 IDPs were an "exhausted and
traumatized" population. Holmes asked that the Security
Council speak with one voice and send an unambiguous signal
to all parties that international human rights law should be
fully respected and that further violation of this law would
not go unpunished. He expressed deep disappointment that the
government refused access to a UN humanitarian team, and
pointedly said that despite assurances, the government
continued to use heavy weaponry.


3. (SBU) Sri Lankan PR Palihakkara told the Council that
Holmes, concerns "are shared concerns." He did not refute
Holmes, statements, although he said the Sri Lankan
government did not allow the UN team in because of security
concerns, not because of policy concerns. He said the
government,s top priority was to make the LTTE respond to
demands to surrender. Palihakkara assured Council members
that the government has no plans to use heavy weaponry, and
has no plans to launch a large military operation.


4. (SBU) Led by UK, the U.S. and France, the majority of the
Council expressed deep concern regarding the situation and
demanded that both sides uphold international humanitarian
law. UK PR Sawers said the government of Sri Lanka "needs to
take on board" the concerns of the international community,
and noted the allegations of violations of international
humanitarian law. France said the government "did not stand
by its word" to refrain from using heavy weaponry, and
underscored the government,s obligation to respect
international humanitarian law. Ambassador Rice thanked
Holmes for the UN's high-level attention to this issue, and
directly addressed the Sri Lankan PR in emphasizing the deep
concern of the U.S. to this "growing and extremely grave
humanitarian crisis." She urged the government of Sri Lanka
to reverse its decision not to allow a UN humanitarian team
into the conflict zone, and pointedly emphasized "in the face
of this worsening crisis" that both the LTTE and the Sri
Lankan government have responsibilities to meet, as do all
Council members.


5. (SBU) Supporting the P3 position were Uganda, Croatia,
Austria, Costa Rica and Mexico. Libya, Japan and Turkey also
expressed similar worries, although they asked that the press
elements prioritize the calls to the LTTE. Russia, China and
Vietnam supported the government and condemned the LTTE, and
voiced no displeasure at any action by the government. China
said it "commended the government for its efforts to protect
civilians." After warnings by the UK and France that an
inability by the Council to agree on press elements would
force them to consider more formal actions - e.g. placing Sri
Lanka on the agenda of the Security Council - China and
Vietnam broadly accepted the UK-drafted elements. In
contrast to its previous, less emotional role, Russia
continued to press a hard line, and insisted that there be no
mention of support for the UN humanitarian team to enter the
conflict zone. Council members finally agreed on the
following themes: grave concern at the humanitarian
situation, support to the UN,s efforts in Sri Lanka,

condemnation of the LTTE,s actions, calling on the
government to work with the UN on assisting civilians, and
concern regarding allegations of violations of international
humanitarian law.
Rice