US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1401

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001401 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA 
SA/INS (CAMP, DEAN, BRENNIG) SA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, 
STRYKER);SSA/PAS; S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PHUM, OPRC, KMDR, OIIP, PREL, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:  DEPARTMENT'S AUGUST 19 STATEMENT 
ON SRI LANKA GARNERS COPIUOS MEDIA COVERAGE 
 
1. SUMMARY.  The Department's August 19 statement on Sri 
Lanka elicited widespread media coverage, with the vast 
majority of papers (both English and vernacular) placing 
the statement very prominently in above-the-fold banner 
headlines.  TV news programs on August 20 also led with the 
full statement, and carried it again on their evening 
broadcasts.  Editorial comment adopted the tone of the 
statement and called for a return to peace talks.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
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Headlines 
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2. Headlines on August 21 uniformly praised the statement, 
with the independent English DAILY MIRROR bannering:  "Stop 
killings and start talking peace:  U.S. tells LTTE." 
Typical of the coverage was government-owned English DAILY 
NEWS, which said:  "U.S. urges LTTE to cease killings 
return to talks; President Kumaratunga shows desire to move 
forward on peace process."  The independent English DAILY 
ISLAND led with:  "U.S. tightens screws on Tigers; Iyer 
killing triggers avalanche of condemnation."  Even the pro- 
LTTE Tamil daily SUDAR OLI reported:  "The U.S. press the 
government and the LTTE to resume talks immediately." 
Independent Sinhala flagship paper LAKBIMA said: 
"Assistance scheduled for Sri Lanka will come only if the 
peace process is moved forward - America emphasizes."  The 
mainstream independent Sinhala DIVAINA said:  "Renounce all 
types of violence including suicide bombings, political 
killings: restart peace talks with the government - another 
stern statement from America." 
 
3.  Television coverage of the statement was also 
widespread, with stations in all three languages -- both 
government-owned and independent -- leading with the text 
almost verbatim on the afternoon news broadcasts, and 
replaying it in the evening. 
 
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Editorial excerpts: 
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3. Under the header "World concern amplifies at LTTE 
terror," the government-owned English DAILY NEWS (08/21) 
commented:  "Yesterday's statement by the U.S. government, 
coming close on the heels of one by the EU, highlighting 
the need for the LTTE to enter immediately the negotiary 
process with the Lankan government, further amplifies 
concern by (a) section of the world community over the 
LTTE's unimpressive track record on accelerating the peace 
effort....  Thus is LTTE intransigence and unconscionable 
backsliding continuing to shock the peace-loving sections 
of the world community....  Mindless recalcitrance would take 
the LTTE nowhere." 
 
4.  Under the header "Myth of sole representative blasted," 
the independent English daily ISLAND commented (08/21):  ".... 
Whether these nations, which involved themselves in the Sri 
Lankan issue solely on humanitarian grounds will take 
measures to prevent the massacre of these innocents will be 
seen in the coming days....  Of how the 'international 
community' wittingly and unwittingly became embroiled in 
this 'Peace Process' is too well known to be detailed....  the 
'international community' awoke last week after a spate of 
killings of EPDP members and issued a somewhat strong 
statement for the first time....  It is time these western 
nations and Japan acknowledged this fact and told it to the 
LTTE warlords." 
 
5.  COMMENT:  The widespread and prominent attention the 
media gave the statement reflects keen interest in the U.S. 
position regarding the peace process.  The statement served 
to reassure television and newspaper audiences that the 
U.S. remains engaged and concerned on this issue.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
ENTWISTLE