US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1217

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001217 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA RESPONDS TO LTTE ULTIMATUM AND OTHER 
CEASE FIRE DEVELOPMENTS. 
 
REF: A) COLOMBO 1181 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1 (C)  On Jul 12 2005 the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) 
responded to the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) 14 
day ultimatum for a review of security procedures issued on 
Jun 30; stating that the GSL will continue the confidence 
building measure of escorting certain unarmed convoys between 
the Northern and Eastern Provinces but will not expand these 
measures until the LTTE undertakes other confidence building 
measures.  The Director of the Peace Secretariat expressed 
support for discreet talks between the GSL and LTTE aimed at 
defusing the covert killings and looks for Norway to 
facilitate.  On Jun 10 in the east, two LTTE political cadres 
and two civilians were killed when their office was attacked 
by persons unknown.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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ULTIMATUM 
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2. (SBU) In response to the LTTE ultimatum demanding a 
complete review of Sri Lankan Army (SLA) escort procedures 
(Ref A), the GSL delivered a written response via the Sri 
Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).  The GSL stated that current 
security measures are a confidence building measure, not a 
right under the cease fire agreement (CFA) and that while it 
will continue to provide the current level of security, it 
will neither expand nor institutionalize the practice.  The 
GSL response further called on the LTTE to show their own 
confidence building measures.  The GSL will provide security 
for transit between the Northern and Eastern provinces but 
not inside the Eastern province; believing those routes are 
an LTTE method for reinforcing against the Karuna faction. 
The GSL has requested the SLMM to be present on buses with 
the LTTE and SLA escorts. 
 
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SIDE TALKS 
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3.   (C) In a conversation between the Ambassador and 
Jayantha Dhanapala of the Peace Secretariat, Jayantha agreed 
with the Ambassador's suggestion on low profile, bracketed 
talks to bolster the cease fire (Ref A).  However, GSL is 
waiting for the Norwegian facilitators to raise the issue, 
since peace talks have not occurred in two years.  The 
Ambassador offered to relay the message to the Norwegian 
Charge d' Affaires Oddvar Laegreid.  The Norwegians are still 
contemplating a response after being stunned by Foreign 
Minister Kadirgamar's  unprovoked comment in the 
government-owned Daily News that "if Norway is unable to 
plead this cause (of democracy) with the conviction and 
determination it deserves it should stand aside". 
 
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ATTACK 
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4.  (SBU) On the morning of Jul 10 a van of unidentified 
gunmen opened fired on a farmhouse used as an LTTE field 
office in Trincomalee.  The rifle and grenade attack killed 
two LTTE cadres and two civilians. One of the LTTE had been a 
LTCOL in the Sea Tigers (LTTE Naval branch) before changing 
to unarmed political work.  The LTTE accuses the government 
of complicity in the attack since the van allegedly had to 
pass through SLA checkpoints, both coming and going.  The GSL 
denies any involvement. 
 
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COMMENT 
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4.  (SBU) The response of the GSL will be seen by the LTTE as 
nearly a refusal of their ultimatum.  This will only fuel the 
LTTE allegation that the GSL is involved on some level in 
attacks on traveling LTTE cadres.  Recognizing the need for 
talks to curb the extra judicial killing is a step in the 
right direction, but waiting for the Norwegian facilitator to 
raise the subject will allow more time and more killings to 
pass.  The attack in Trincomalee only raised the mistrust 
between parties.  Retaliation by the LTTE is expected with 
targets likely to be SLA higher level intelligence operatives 
and members of the Karuna faction.  Meanwhile, local Tamil 
press reports that all TNA MP's have been summoned to 
Kilinochi on Jul 17, and that some type of dramatic 
announcement may be made at that time. 
LUNSTEAD