US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1839

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001839 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CE, EFIN, ETTC, KVPR, MV, PREL, PTER 
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT 
POST 
 
REF: SECSTATE 238760 
 
1.  Per request reftel, the following are Post's Terrorism 
Finance Coordination Officers: 
 
James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission, office no.: 
94-11-244-8007 ext. 2433, home no.:  94-11-269-5495, cell 
no.:  94-77-770-9571, fax no.:  94-11- 243-7237, email: 
EntwistleJF@state.gov 
 
Dean R. Thompson, Chief of Economic and Commercial Affairs, 
office no.:  94-11-244-8007, home no.: 94-11-269-6205, cell 
no.:  94-77-770-9584, fax no.: 94-11-247-1092, email: 
ThompsonDR@state.gov 
 
2.  The following comments are keyed to questions in reftel 
paragraph 5: 
 
(b)  Terrorist finance issues are coordinated by the DCM 
through two rotating meetings on Economic Development matters 
and Law Enforcement/Intelligence matters.  Terrorist finance 
issues, if necessary, would be referred to the Visas Viper 
Committee. 
 
(c)  Post is currently considering the case of LTTE 
fundraising and is likely to request that Department of 
Treasury review LTTE fundraising activities.  SEPTEL will 
follow on this subject.  Post is also actively pursuing 
anti-money laundering training and the establishment of 
Financial Intelligence Units in both Sri Lanka and Maldives. 
 
(d)  A TFCO video conference might be a useful way to share 
ideas and discuss problems.  Further, it could include 
participation by more Washington-based experts. 
 
(e)  Terrorist finance related public diplomacy should be 
aimed both at domestic US, as well as foreign, audiences. 
Making US groups aware of how these "charitable" donations 
are really used could be helpful in slowing the flow of 
funds.  Internationally, efforts to explain how greater 
scrutiny and transparency in the banking sector can actually 
enhance financial services and bolster confidence in banking 
and financial institutes should be considered.  The 
Ambassador intends to press this point during media 
interviews on issues of US concerns. 
 
(f)  No training of TFCO staff at Post. 
 
(g)  Post has not yet had many interactions with USG agencies 
on terrorist finance cases.  Nonetheless, prompt responses to 
inquiries and access to web-based materials for background, 
information and best practices would be helpful. 
 
LUNSTEAD