US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO2078

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002078 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR CA/OCS AND SA/INS 
STATE ALSO PASS USAID/OFDA - GARVELINK, FLEMING, THAYER 
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA - DOLAN 
GENEVA FOR NANCY KYLOW 
DELHI FOR FAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR, CASC, EAID, PGOV, PREL, CE, MV, Tsunami 
SUBJECT: TFX001:  SITREP NO. 4 ON SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES, 
DECEMBER 31 
 
REF: A. COLOMBO 2073 AND PREVIOUS 
     B. STATE 275844 
 
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SRI LANKA 
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1.  (U) American Citizens:  A total of 7 Americans are 
confirmed dead; 68 remain unaccounted for; 233 
welfare/whereabouts cases have been resolved.  One American 
consular officer and one Consular FSN traveled to Matara 
District on December 31 to visit hospitals. 
 
2.  (SBU)  Government Actions:  According to the most recent 
figures obtained from the Presidential Secretariat, 28,508 
persons were killed in the December 26 tsunami.  On December 
31 the President convoked a meeting with a number of 
ambassadors, including the U.S. Ambassador.  She advised that 
the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is formulating a 
comprehensive reconstruction plan, due to be released on 
January 15; international assistance is being sought to 
support the reconstruction activities the plan will outline. 
The President informed the ambassadors that members of the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are participating in 
district committees formed in the north and east to address 
disaster relief and reconstruction efforts, adding that so 
far cooperation has been good.  (UNDP ResRep Miguel Bermeo, 
who participated in a meeting on disaster relief held at 
Tiger "headquarters" in Kilinochchi on December 30, reported 
to the Ambassador that the Tigers had shown an almost 
unprecedented willingness to cooperate.) In addition, the GSL 
has invited the LTTE to participate in the all-party 
committee being formed to address reconstruction efforts; no 
reply has been received thus far.  The World Bank 
representative noted that Sri Lanka will receive 
approximately USD 100 million in emergency funds from the 
World Bank, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) 
representative reported his organization had approved a 
quick-disbursing loan for Sri Lanka and indicated a 
willingness to resume the Poverty Reduction and Growth 
Facility (PRGF).  The Ambassador conveyed his condolences to 
the President on behalf of the U.S. and noted that 
reconstruction efforts provide a significant new opportunity 
for both parties to the conflict to work together for the 
good of all Sri Lankans.  He called for both sides to show 
flexibility in meeting the many challenges ahead. 
 
 
3.  (SBU)   Core Group Actions:  The Ambassador will host a 
meeting with core group counterparts at the Embassy on 
January 2.  Poloff discussed respective bilateral aid efforts 
with Indian counterpart on December 31.  DATT and his Indian 
counterpart plan to go together to Sri Lankan Army Joint 
Operations Headquarters to brief on assistance 
offered/provided and to coordinate on a joint and combined 
air operations center to deconflict aircraft. 
 
4.  (SBU)  U.S. Actions:  DATT, accompanied by four members 
of the PACOM Disaster Relief Assessment Team (DRAT) and one 
member of the USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), 
helicoptered over a coastal stretch from Colombo to 
Hambantota to assess damage and needs.  This quick assessment 
suggests severe long-term economic consequences for the 
region and, inevitably, the entire country.  Significant 
numbers of dead bodies still litter the grounds, while 
hundreds of cars, trucks and buses were observed still lying 
on their sides.  With the exception of a few hotels, 
commercial enterprises, including stores, in Galle remain 
closed.  Railway service remains unavailable farther than 30 
or so km south of Colombo, disrupting the delivery of relief 
supplies and making travel to places of work more difficult 
for hundreds of Sri Lankans.  Paddy fields and vegetable 
gardens in the south are completely flooded and littered with 
debris, rendering them unharvestable.  Galle Port, which is 
the second largest commercial port in Sri Lanka, suffered 
serious damage in the tsunami and appears able to service 
only small fishing vessels. 
 
5.  (SBU)  We understand there is still some discussion as to 
which JTF assets will be deployed in particular countries. 
We eagerly await clarification, as ability of our DRAT to 
develop a plan to address the reconstruction needs of this 
area will depend on what assets will be available. 
 
6.  (SBU)  U.S. Actions (cont.):  Members of the USAID 
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) are expected back in 
Colombo from assessments in the field late on December 31. 
The first planeload of relief supplies from DOD arrived early 
December 31.  An OFDA planeload of supplies is expected on 
January 1.  On January 1 the GSL will begin chairing daily 
donor coordination meetings (previously chaired by UN).  In 
coordination with bilateral donors, international donors and 
the GSL, USAID is soliciting proposals to assist the 
districts of Matara, Galle and Hambantota.  In addition, 
USAID has agreed with the EU to help support proposals to 
provide assistance in Ampara District.  These activities are 
in addition to relief already being supplied to the north and 
east by USAID through the Sri Lankan Red Cross.  USAID/OTI 
will respond to the emergency by supporting local groups in 
districts in the south, east and north. 
 
7.  (U) Agreement on Status of Forces:  Ref B request was 
conveyed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 31. 
Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor this Embassy has 
a copy of the 1995 Agreement.  Department is requested to fax 
Embassy a copy of the Agreement at 94-11-243-7237. 
 
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MALDIVES 
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8.  (U) American Citizens:  No Americans have been reported 
killed in the Maldives.  Two Americans remain unaccounted 
for. 
 
9.  (SBU)  US Efforts:  One DART member, one DRAT member and 
one emboff will travel to Maldives to meet with government 
officials on January 2. 
 
10.  (U)  Agreement on Status of Forces:  Embassy conveyed 
Ref B request via diplomatic note sent to the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs on December 31.  Poloff spoke by telephone 
with Foreign Secretary Zakariyya on December 31 to advise him 
of the request.  As of COB December 31, no response had been 
received from the Government of Republic of Maldives. 
LUNSTEAD