US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO205

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000205 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
PASS USAID, OFDA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015 
TAGS: EAID, ECON, CE, MV, Tsunami, Maldives 
SUBJECT: GAINING BROAD CONSENSUS ON A TIMETABLE FOR THE 
WITHDRAWAL OF U.S. MILITARY ASSETS FROM THE 
TSUNAMI-AFFECTED REGION:  SRI LANKA/MALDIVES 
 
SIPDIS 
 
REF: (A) STATE 14650 (B) COLOMBO 0165 
 
Classified By: CDA JAMES F. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.4 (D). 
 
 1.  (C)  We appreciate the opportunity to clarify the 
situation regarding the withdrawal of the Combined 
Support Group - Sri Lanka (CSG-SL) which, as noted in 
reftels, will occur around the end of January.   As we 
noted in Ref B, the CSG-SL performance in both Sri Lanka 
and Maldives has been superb and has been greatly 
appreciated by the affected local populations.  The 
coordination suggested in Para 6 of Ref A has already 
taken place as part of a continuous consultation process 
with all "tsunami players."  The Ambassador and other USG 
officials have had detailed discussions with both the Sri 
Lankan and Maldivian governments.  We have also talked to 
relevant international agencies, etc. All understand that 
the military component of the U.S. tsunami effort is 
getting ready to leave and have no problems with that. 
There are no outstanding issues that should delay CSG 
withdrawal. 
 
2.  (C)  Our consistent message has been that the U.S. 
commitment to tsunami recovery will continue to grow and 
adapt.  The phasing out of the U.S. military involvement 
in the immediate relief effort reflects a shift in focus 
from relief to reconstruction, not an end to U.S. 
involvement.  In other words, the nature of U.S. post- 
tsunami assistance is changing (just as the nature of the 
 
SIPDIS 
need is changing) but U.S. engagement remains stronger 
than ever. 
 
3.  (C)  Thus, as we have worked out with the CSG and 
will review again with LTG Blackman at the end of the 
week, it is time for the CSG activity to end.  In that 
regard, the mid-February proposed closure of CSG 
operations at Utapao will pose no difficulty for us.  It 
is important to note, however, the U.S. military ties to 
both Sri Lanka and Maldives were in operation long before 
the tsunami and will remain long after.  Therefore, if in 
the future it becomes clear that there might be a useful 
role for the U.S. military in the tsunami reconstruction 
process in either Sri Lanka or Maldives, we will work 
that request through our (superb) defense attache' office 
here which will liaise with PACOM and other relevant DOD 
entities as appropriate.  In short, the withdrawal of the 
CSG does not necessarily mean that the U.S. military will 
never again help out with tsunami recovery in Sri Lanka 
and Maldives. 
 
4.  (C)  Regarding para eight Ref A, we agree that the 
public diplomacy angle of CSG withdrawal is crucial and 
needs to be pro-active.  To that end, we decided several 
days ago to hold a press conference on Saturday, January 
29 here in Colombo to review the overall U.S. tsunami 
recovery package to Sri Lanka and make clear that CSG 
withdrawal is a change in focus, not a diminution of U.S. 
commitment.   It is vital that the press conference occur 
before the bulk of the CSG leaves, in order to forestall 
the inevitable rumor-mongering when word of the 
withdrawal starts making the rounds.  Thus, while we of 
course welcome the press guidance promised in para eight 
Ref A, we believe it is essential that we go ahead as 
planned on Saturday if our message here is to be timely 
and effective. 
ENTWISTLE