US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1145

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 COLOMBO 001145 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA 
SA/INS (CAMP, DEAN, WALLER) SA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, STRYKER); SSA/PAS 
S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PTER, PHUM, OIIP, PREL, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT:  MEDIA PLAY:  Coverage of suicide bombing by alleged Tamil 
Tiger in Colombo 
 
Ref:  Colombo 1142 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY.  Per Reftel, on July 7, a suspected Liberation Tigers 
of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suicide bomber detonated a bomb inside a police 
station in the heart of downtown Colombo, near the Prime Minister's 
office, U.S. Embassy and British High Commission.  The suspected targ 
of the suicide bomber -- a young woman -- was a Tamil politician, 
Douglas Devananda, a vocal critic of the LTTE and current Cabinet 
minister.  Four police officers and the bomber were killed and twelve 
people injured.  Headlines, both English and vernacular, July 8-9 wer 
largely devoted to factual coverage of the attack and how it would 
affect the peace process.  Late July 8, the Tigers denied involvement 
in the attack through pro-LTTE website "TamilNet," as well as through 
an interview with an AP correspondent.  Editorial comment surrounding 
the incident questioned whether the bombing would adversely affect th 
peace process.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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Headlines 
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2.  (U) Headlines uniformly focused on the bombing, its supposed targ 
and possible repercussions for the peace process.  Independent Englis 
DAILY MIRROR, (07/08) reported: 
 
- Attempt on Devananda's life fails 
 
- Four policemen killed, ten injured; Govt. condemns attack 
 
- Devananda says terror can't stop his mission 
 
- Suicide bomb rips hole in last hour of trading 
 
- Business community aghast over blast 
 
DAILY MIRROR (07/09) 
 
- Blast won't affect peace process - JVP 
 
Independent Sinhala daily, LANKADEEPA (07/08) said: Effort to 
assassinate Devananda in his ministry unsuccessful; four in police 
service give their lives 
 
Pro-LTTE Tamil daily SUDAR OLI reported under the headlines (07/08): 
Suicidal bomb blast inside the Colpetty police station -- five, 
including a police inspector dead; 10 injured -- Was Minister Douglas 
Devananda the target? 
 
Government-owned DAILY NEWS (07/08) Devananda survives 10th 
assassination bid -- woman Black Tiger blows herself up, four killed 
 
- Tiger feline's failed mission 
 
- President does not expect any change to peace process 
 
- Govt. condemns attempted assassination on Devananda 
 
DAILY NEWS (07/09) 
 
- Bomb blast not against peace process - UPFA 
 
- LTTE denies involvement in attack 
 
3. (U) Independent English daily ISLAND (07/08) said:  Govt. raises 
bomb attack with Oslo 
 
-  Revive peace process - UNP to Govt. 
 
-  EPDP wants CBK to pursue peace even after assassination bid 
 
-  Govt. condemns blast without naming perpetrator 
 
-  Suicide bomb triggers selling on bourse 
 
ISLAND (07/09) 
 
- SLMM warns Govt. and Tigers - forces say LTTE responsible; Tigers 
deny 
 
- Petersen hopes truce will hold 
 
4.  (U) Also of note was the Tigers' denial of involvement in the 
attack: 
 
- Pro-LTTE website "TamilNet" stated that Tiger political chief S.P. 
Thamilchelvam has said the Tigers had "absolutely no connection in th 
suicide bombing in Colombo.  This is an act to destabilize the peace 
process.  We suspect this has been carried out by elements that want 
disrupt the peace process." 
 
- In an interview with an AP correspondent that appeared on Lanka 
Academic, a local independent website, Thamilchelvam reportedly said 
that the Tigers "condemn this attempted assassination," and that the 
group denied any involvement in the bombing, saying that "it may have 
been carried out by some anti-peace elements." 
 
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Editorial excerpts: 
------------------- 
 
5.  (U) Under the header "Dastardly attack," the government-owned 
English DAILY NEWS (07/08) commented:  "The bomb blast in the heart o 
Colombo yesterday, which claimed almost half a dozen lives and injure 
several others, meets with our strongest condemnation. The evidence a 
the time of writing is that the explosion was the work of a woman 
suicide bomber who was awaiting a meeting with EPDP leader and Minist 
of State, Douglas Devananda.  She apparently detonated the bomb, whic 
was on her person when she was whisked off for questioning by the 
Police.  Inasmuch as the loss of lives in this incident meets with ou 
forthright condemnation we also bemoan the human suffering the traged 
has engendered. We offer our heartfelt condolences to those who have 
lost their loved ones in this outrage, which has caused considerable 
concern and anxiety among the public.... For, Devananda has not only 
said 'no' to and vehemently and steadfastly opposed tyranny and anti- 
democratic forces in the North-East but has also been a rallying-poin 
of anti-authoritarian forces in the region. He is a battle-hardened, 
anti-LTTE campaigner who has proved his mettle in the violent politic 
of the North and East and the body politic owes it to him to give him 
all the support that could be legitimately provided to him.  It is 
obvious that it is only those forces, which are repressive of the 
people's democratic aspirations, who would be eager to see an end to 
Douglas Devananda, who is now working alongside the Government in its 
efforts to serve the people." 
 
6.  (U) The DAILY NEWS followed up on 07/09 under the header: "Persis 
with peace effort":  President Kumaratunga's brief but cogent stateme 
on the aborted attempt on the life of Minister Douglas Devananda, hel 
to dispel the gloom and fears the incident has generated in some 
quarters on the future of the peace process. The peace process would 
no way be affected by this development, the President clarified, 
raising hopes thereby, that the search for peace would continue 
uninterrupted.... this incident was in a category which was entirely 
different from that in which the peace process could be placed. 
Accordingly, the peace process wouldn't be derailed by the bomb attac 
which was aimed at ending an individual life.... Nevertheless, kick 
starting the peace process should be now considered of the first 
importance. It is only a just and negotiated peace, which could rende 
bombs and bullets superfluous and needless.  The Colpetty blast shoul 
also alert the SLMM to the need to ensure scrupulous adherence to the 
letter and spirit of the Ceasefire Agreement.  Ambivalence on the par 
of anyone on the terms of the ceasefire could prove perilous.  Althou 
individual killings cannot put the brakes on the peace effort, they 
could sour the atmosphere in which talks are held." 
 
7.  (U) Under the header "Hear no LTTE, see no LTTE and speak no 
LTTE?," the independent English daily ISLAND commented on 07/09: The 
LTTE bomber who blew herself up on Wednesday together with four 
policemen has exploded a powerful myth:  the LTTE is for a peaceful 
settlement of the conflict.  The bomber missed her target, Minister 
Douglas Devananda, but she accomplished her mission by conveying 
Prabhakaran's message wrapped in plastic explosives:  The LTTE doesn' 
care a damn about world opinion.  The blast came as no surprise.  It 
has been clear from the beginning that Prabhakaran is no respecter of 
the fragile truce, which he has violated with gay abandon over 2,000 
times.... If anyone believes that Prabhakaran has blundered be sendin 
a 'child of fire' to Colombo as he will have to face the opprobrium o 
the world for that he or she is sadly mistaken.... In a few days the 
blast will be forgotten and foreign diplomats will queue up at the 
entrance to Prabhakaran's bunker in the Wanni to pay "pooja" to him.. 
Human rights groups.... are mum when Prabhakaran brainwashes girls an 
makes them blow themselves up so as to boost his ego and increase his 
bargaining power.... it is doubtful that the LTTE may want to torpedo 
the peace process at this juncture, as it has hitherto been a milch c 
for the outfit. 
 
8.  (U) Under the header "Avoid destabilization of the country", 
independent daily ISLAND commented on 07/08:  "The suicide bomb blast 
in the Colpetty police station on Wednesday, among other things, 
confirms the fears and suspicions that tormented the people from the 
time the peace process started wobbling as a result of the contentiou 
political manipulations in the south. This incident confirms the 
presence in Colombo City of dreaded suicide bombers ready to carry ou 
destructive operations. It is clear now that the dismantling of 
security measures with the coming into force of the ceasefire, though 
beneficial measure has provided unhindered mobility to agents of 
destruction. Of course, doubts and suspicions have not ceased to 
circulate.... Most government spokespersons have glibly announced tha 
the present incident will not, in any way, hinder the peace process. 
President Chandrika Kumaratunga was particularly emphatic about her 
intention to conduct the peace process to a conclusion, whatever the 
obstacles that stand in her way. Her determination is indeed 
commendable.... What is disconcerting, however, is that these concern 
leaders lack the required courage, wisdom or magnanimity to sink thei 
narrow party differences and unite to save the country from possible 
disaster.... These politicians have now to decide whether they will 
stay mired in these parochial squabbles or take swift action to resol 
the national issue through a common approach, without driving the 
country to total destabilization." 
 
9.  (U) Under the header "Peace bomb (let's identify Prabhakaran)" 
independent Sinhala daily DIVAINA (07/09) commented:  "The recent 
suicide bomb tarnishes the image of Solheim, SLMM, peace delegates... 
Prabhakaran has done a serious crime to all of those who tried hard t 
show the world that he is a noble citizen.  This bombing occurred jus 
three days after a Tiger leader claimed on Black Tiger Day that the 
LTTE hated war.  This bomb explosion has shattered the peace process. 
Although there were several violations like killings of military 
intelligence operatives, smuggling of arms.... this was the very firs 
bomb that exploded during the truce.  Devananda -- a long time target 
of the LTTE, has shunned bloody politics and is now hand in hand with 
Karuna.  The LTTE is aware of the massive change he can make happen 
with Karuna in the East in future elections.  That is why the young 
woman was sent to Colombo with a bomb to finish him off.  She should 
one of the several young men and women who made use of the peace aven 
to come with arms to Colombo during the truce!  The bottom line is th 
the time has come to identify Prabhakaran, who plants bombs along the 
peace avenue.  His message is only of war.  The cunning politicians a 
this end should bear that in mind." 
 
10.  (U) Under the header "Is the door to peace closing down?" pro-LT 
Tamil daily SUDAR OLI (07/08) commented:  "After two and half years a 
bomb explosion has taken place in Colombo.  We have been continuously 
writing in this column about the danger that is nearing.... This 
suicidal bomb blast cannot be set aside as just another incident.... 
Though the peace talks that started during the UNF government had 
setbacks in the midway the understanding and trust that remained gave 
hopes that the peace talks could move forward.... The understanding 
between the government and the LTTE started to wane with the presiden 
taking over the defense ministry and is now at the lowest level.  The 
president joining with the JVP, a party that has always opposed peace 
talks, in forming a government and the way she handled the Karuna 
affair, trying to divide the Tamil community, are leading the country 
to a war.... Who can change the fate of the country and its people if 
the people rally around the leadership that is preparing for a war? 
People and the country are to decide whether they are for war or 
peace." 
 
11.  (U) Under the headline "Echo of the bomb blast," independent Tam 
daily VIRAKESARI (07/09) commented: " After a long interval, a suicid 
bomber has gone to pieces in Colombo killing four police personnel an 
wounding another 14.  It is said that the target was minister Douglas 
Devananda.... This bomb blast, the first after October 2001, has sent 
shock waves among people.... We cannot deny that the delay in the 
resumption of the peace talks has paved way for this bomb blast.... 
Whatever the motives behind this bomb blast, such an act should be 
condemned.... We have to point out that this incident is warning to a 
those obstruct the peace efforts.... All should realize when the peac 
process gets delayed the environment for such violence is automatical 
created.... Condemnation has come from all walks of life including th 
LTTE, which has denied any involvement.... The LTTE has also said tha 
such incidents could further obstruct the peace efforts.... While 
condemning the bomb blast the president has assured that the peace 
talks would resume soon." 
12.  (U) Under the header "Clear diversion, " independent Tamil daily 
THINAKKURAL (07/09) commented:  "For the first time, after the 
ceasefire agreement was signed in February 2002, a suicide bomb attac 
took place in Colombo on Wednesday.... It is said that the suicide 
bomber's target was minister Douglas Devananda.... While the UPFA 
condemned the attempt on minister Devananda's life, the president in 
interview with the ITN said that the incident would not affect the 
peace process as it is on a better footing....  They clearly show tha 
there is a threat to the ceasefire agreement.... It is important that 
the peace talks are resumed soon if to stop the acceleration of 
violence.... The Kumaratunga government should look for new avenues a 
commence the peace talks with the LTTE as soon as possible.... As pea 
loving people we anticipate that both parties would realize that the 
misunderstandings between the two parties is a barrier to the 
commencement of talks and that action should be taken from both sides 
to bridge this gap." 
 
Lunstead