US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO622

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000622 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TERREP 
 
DS FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/SA, AND DS/ICI/PII 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/10/2014 
TAGS: ASEC, CE, PTER, MIssion Security 
SUBJECT: EMBASSY COLOMBO ACTIONS TO DATE REGARDING THREAT 
TO U.S. AMBASSADOR 
 
REF: A. A) RSO/LEGATT-NEW DELHI TELCON DATED 04/09/04 
     B. B) DS/ICI/PII EMAIL DATED 04/09/04 
     C. C) COLOMBO 0620 
 
1. (SBU) At approximately 2330 hours on the evening of 9 
April, RSO Colombo received a telephone call from Legatt New 
Delhi regarding an alleged Tamil Tiger threat to "try kill 
the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka."  This threat had 
apparently been sent via email by an unknown person in 
Jaffna, Sri Lanka to the FBI tipline website in WashDC.  Soon 
thereafter, RSO received a second call from the DS/PII 
representative to FBI/SIOC with the same information.   At 
approximately 2400 hours, RSO arrived at Embassy Colombo to 
read the text of the threat information, which stated the 
following: Quote - The brutal muderer dirty minded person 
Karuna, former LTTE chief commander try to kill the US 
Ambassador to Sri Lanka - End Quote. 
 
2. (SBU) RSO Analysis: This threat information coincides with 
the outbreak of hostilities between rival LTTE factions 
currently ongoing in eastern Sri Lanka (Ref C).  Karuna is 
the rebel LTTE leader who split from the LTTE in early March. 
 The fact that the emailed threat originated in the northern 
town of Jaffna (an LTTE stronghold) suggests a political 
motivation for bringing the U.S. Ambassador into the LTTE 
conflict.  There is no history of LTTE targeting Americans or 
American interests, and there is no current intelligence 
indicating the U.S. Ambassador is at risk, therefore, the RSO 
deems the threat information not credible.  That said, 
however, post has taken prudent steps to enhance security for 
the Ambassador in the near term, and will continue to monitor 
security developments in Sri Lanka with this information in 
mind. 
 
3. (C) RSO Protective Actions to Date:  Since approximately 
0100 hours April 10, the unarmed Local Guard coverage has 
been expanded to three guards within the Ambassador's 
residential compound.  An unarmed two-man mobile patrol unit 
has been placed in static coverage at the front of the 
Ambassador's compound, and a second mobile unit is patrolling 
the immediate area of the residence.  A fixed Surveillance 
Detection position has been established outside the 
Ambassador's residence, and an armed two-man police vehicle 
has been positioned outside the residence. 
 
The Ambassador was already scheduled to host the CODEL Dreier 
delegation starting at 1330 hours April 10 - April 12, so 
enhanced security had previously been planned throughout the 
holiday weekend to include an armed RSO or ARSO, three 
unarmed Embassy bodyguards, Surveillance Detection personnel, 
and static police at the delegation's hotel.  With the new 
threat information, an armed Special Task Force police 
vehicle has been added to the delegation's official schedule. 
 All of post's FAVs and LAVs will be utilized for the 
official movements. Police cooperation has been excellent. 
 
4. (SBU) RSO Investigative Actions to Date: The emailed 
threat information contained several investigative leads 
including a (highly suspect) name and phone number. (So far, 
the phone number provided maintains a constant busy signal.) 
RSO will pursue all leads with local authorities to the 
extent that the local holiday weekend allows. 
LUNSTEAD