US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO453

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000453 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
OFFICIAL INFORMAL 
 
FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, CE, MV, External Relations, Elections 
SUBJECT:  OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 041 (03/15/04) 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. 
 
CONTENTS:  PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL TV ADDRESS 
-          CUBAN OFFICIAL TO SPEAK AT SL INSTITUTE 
-          ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
 
PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL TV ADDRESS 
------------------------------- 
 
1.  (SBU) FYI.  In a pre-recorded campaign speech 
televised on the evening of March 14, President Chandrika 
Kumaratunga addressed the nation in Sinhala, railing 
against the United National Party (UNP) government and 
promoting the election manifesto of her United Party 
Freedom Alliance (UPFA).  In attacking the UNP, the 
President stated that in its two years in charge of the 
government, it had undone all the social and economic 
advances of her earlier (1994-2001) People's Alliance 
(PA) government.  In general terms -- and after 
criticizing the PM's handling of the peace process, she 
also stated that she was in favor of peace and talks. 
 
2.  (SBU) As noted above, the President took the 
opportunity in the speech to stump for her UPFA -- the 
technical name for the SLFP-JVP alliance -- election 
manifesto, which was made public on March 11 (see Colombo 
446).  Following are some highlights of the manifesto: 
 
-- Under "Constitutional Reforms," the Alliance proposes 
the formation of a constituent assembly to develop a new 
constitution that will replace the executive presidency 
with a cabinet, parliament, and new electoral system. 
 
-- Under the third point, "To settle the National Problem 
and restore lasting peace with dignity in Sri Lanka," the 
manifesto states that the ceasefire (with the LTTE) will 
continue and "steps will be taken to enter into a process 
of negotiation with the LTTE and other groups to bring 
about on reasonable conditions, a sustainable solution." 
The manifesto also rejects separatism and violence, 
calling for a solution that would safeguard the "unity, 
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka." 
 
-- Under "Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in the North 
and the East," the Alliance recognizes the need for 
urgent relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction and 
calls for changes in the related "Triple R" ministry to 
accelerate the assistance programs in these areas. 
 
-- Under "New Economic order for a Strong National 
economy," which comprises roughly one-third of the entire 
manifesto, the Alliance describes a "new economic order 
built up through the competitive participation of a 
strong private sector and strong public sector...based on 
well-managed foreign investment incentives and promotion 
of local industries and enterprises."  FYI:  You will see 
our frontchannel in the coming days on the economy and 
the elections.  (POL/ECON) 
 
CUBAN OFFICIAL TO SPEAK AT SL INSTITUTE 
--------------------------------------- 
 
3.  (SBU) FYI.  On March 11, Mission received an 
invitation to a lecture being held at the Sri Lanka 
Institute of International Relations.  The scheduled 
lecturer for the March 17 session is Manuel Aguilera de 
la Paz, the Cuban Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. 
De la Paz's talk, entitled "Foreign Policy of Cuba in a 
Unipolar World," is being co-hosted by the Institute and 
the Cuban Embassy.  Just wanted to flag this lecture, 
which is being given pride of place at the Sri Lankan 
MFA's official institute.  (POL) 
 
ELECTION ASSISTANCE 
------------------- 
 
4.  (SBU) We are organizing a press conference for 
Wednesday morning at which the Ambassador will announce 
our significant package of election assistance.  (DCM) 
 
LUNSTEAD