US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1514

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001514 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR INR/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA 
SA/INS (DEAN, BRENNIG) SA/PD (SCENSNY, ROGERS, 
STRYKER);SSA/PAS; S/CT (BLACK, WILDERMUTH) 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, PTER, OPRC, KMDR, OIIP, PREL, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION:  Visit of State Department 
Counterterrorism Coordinator garners widespread coverage 
 
 
1. SUMMARY.  S/CT Coordinator Ambassador Cofer Black's 
September 7-8 visit to Sri Lanka elicited copious media 
coverage, with the vast majority of papers (both English 
and vernacular) placing coverage of a roundtable media 
discussion with newspaper editors prominently in above-the- 
fold banner headlines.  Editorial comment generally lauded 
Black's call that the LTTE renounce terrorism and return to 
negotiations.  Television and radio also keenly covered the 
visit, with two television stations running two-minute 
segments of Ambassador Black's short TV interviews at the 
American Center.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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Headlines 
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2. Headlines on September 9 lauded the visit and pointed up 
Black's call for the LTTE to renounce terrorism.  The 
independent English DAILY MIRROR on 09/09 led with "U.S. 
accuses Tigers of sowing terror."  Government-owned DAILY 
NEWS had "LTTE must lay down arms, renounce terrorism and 
join democratic process."  Government-owned Tamil daily 
THINAKARAN carried 09/09 "The LTTE should prove that they 
have renounced terrorism - U.S. demands."  Independent 
Tamil daily THINAKKURAL 09/09 led with "The LTTE should 
show its interest by word and deed in resuming talks - The 
U.S. representative."  Government-owned Sinhala DINAMINA 
carried 09/09:  "America will consider LTTE a terrorist 
organization until it proves by deed its genuine dedication 
for peace - U.S. Ambassador for Coordination of 
Counterterrorism."  Independent Sinhala DIVAINA 09/09 led 
with "As long as the LTTE continues its terrorist 
activities it would remain in the list of terrorist groups, 
says Cofer Black of America." 
 
3.  Television coverage of the visit was also widespread, 
with stations in all three languages -- both government- 
owned and independent -- giving pride of place to Amb. 
Black's visit on their evening news broadcasts September 8. 
Radio news carried news of the visit on September 8, with 
radio broadcasts covering the visit and Amb. Black's 
statements carried into September 10. 
 
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Editorial excerpts: 
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4. Under the header "LTTE should read the writing on the 
wall," the government-owned English DAILY NEWS (08/21) 
commented:  "The U.S. position that the LTTE must negotiate 
with the Lankan Government in earnest, lay down arms and 
renounce terror, for its delisting as a foreign terrorist 
organization, indicates that there would be no let-up in US 
efforts to crack down on the LTTE, as long as it remains 
wedded to terror.  U.S. Ambassador-at-Large and State 
Department Coordinator for Counter Terrorism, J. Cofer 
Black made the U.S. Government's position on this issue 
amply clear.  He said that the LTTE would remain on the 
U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, "until they 
show by word and deed that they are negotiating in good 
faith...." Cofer Black was quoted as saying.  We hope that 
this reiteration of the U.S. Government's position would 
enable the LTTE to see the writing on the wall and hasten 
to the negotiating table in a spirit of compromise and 
goodwill." 
 
5.  Taking a dissenting tack from the mainly positive 
editorial comment, the pro-LTTE Tamil daily SUDAR OLI 
(09/09) commented under the header "International policeman 
who fails to be neutral,": "Some comments made by the head 
of US counter-terrorism office, Amb. J. Cofer Black had 
wounded the hearts of Tamils of Eelam.... He did not fail 
to show the unruly attitude of America at a media 
roundtable with a selected batch of editors.... America is 
a superpower, a country that is strong and powerful.... As 
the self-appointed international policeman, it also has to 
be neutral in its activities.... Amb. Cofer Black had stated 
that the LTTE is engaged in terrorism. They should prove by 
word and deed that they had renounced violence if to remove 
them from the list of terrorist groups.... It is a shame 
that America talk(s) about terrorism in Sri Lanka, when 
they are responsible for all the destruction and deaths in 
Iraq under its puppet government after invading against the 
wish and will of the UN...." 
 
6.  Under the header "Think before you leap!" Independent 
Sinhala weekly SUNDAY DIVAINA commented (09/12): 
"Ambassador Cofer Black - U.S. Counterterrorism Chief said 
that he doubts whether the LTTE is genuinely dedicated for 
peace and also that they keep sharing their expertise with 
other world terrorist organizations.  This is definite food 
for thought for all patriots other than those intellectuals 
who had been brainwashed by the peace NGOs.... The 
politicians who are in the trance of the peace trap also 
would like to ignore this statement.  This is a clear 
command as to carefully investigate into all that would be 
taking place in the name of peace in this country. 
Ambassador Black's statement seems to ridicule those 
politicos who boast of being able to get the fighting 
Tigers to talk peace and also those fools who are under the 
impressions that the talks should be re-started from where 
it stalled.  This is only a question of wisdom and 
understanding.... Ambassador Black in the announcement of 
his concern over the LTTE's falseness has reminded us of 
the recent killings of the LTTE.  In his mind still echoes 
the human bomb that went off in Kollupitiya.  He was thus 
brave enough to cast his suspicious eyes on the Tigers, and 
to stress that America would continue to list the LTTE 
under the foreign Terrorist groups until they prove by deed 
their genuine dedication to peace.  We are fortunate that 
this American officer sensed the danger faced by our 
country.   should we allow Prabhakaran to quench his power 
thirst by trying to usher this peace?  Ambassador Black has 
asked us to "think before we leap".  If we ignore his 
advice we would be digging our own grave.... " 
 
6.  COMMENT:  The widespread and prominent attention the 
media gave Amb. Black's visit reflects the keen and ongoing 
interest in the U.S. position regarding the peace process. 
Black's roundtable discussion and television interviews 
served to reiterate the message that the LTTE must renounce 
terrorism and also to reassure television and newspaper 
audiences that the U.S. remains concerned and engaged on 
this issue.  END COMMENT. 
 
LUNSTEAD