US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO1664

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001664 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OFFICIAL INFORMAL 
 
DEPT FOR SA/INS FROM THE CHARGE 
 
E.O. 12958:   DECL:  09/09/12 
TAGS: AMGT, CE, UNGA 
SUBJECT:  OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 126 (09-09-02) 
 
CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE LEWIS AMSELEM.  REASONS 1.5 B, D. 
 
CONTENTS: PM SCHEDULE IN NY 
          PRO-PEACE MARCH 
          CONFUSION RE PROPOSED AMENDMENT 
          NORWEGIAN AMB RE TALKS 
          MALDIVES: ATTEMPTED HIJACKING 
 
PM MEETING IN NY 
---------------- 
1.  (SBU) Milinda Moragoda called Charge today to check 
whether a U.S. principal could attend a GSL-proposed 
meeting hosted by the GSL that would include PM 
Wickremesinghe, the Norwegian FM, Kofi Annan, and a U.S. 
rep such as D.  (Note:  Per our class e-mails to you, 
Moragoda had mentioned the idea of such a meeting to us 
late last week.)  The precise timeframe of the proposed 
meeting has not yet been set, but the GSL's plan is to 
have it take place in the September 15-17 timeframe.  We 
are not sure how much the proposed meeting has been 
worked with the UN yet.  The purpose of the meeting would 
be to underscore international support for the Sri Lankan 
peace process.  What advice should we give Moragoda on 
which U.S. official might be able attend?  (POL) 
 
PRO-PEACE MARCH 
--------------- 
2.  (C) The UNP is sponsoring a pro-peace process march 
in Colombo today.  It's supposed to be quite large.  The 
GSL apparently wants to remain well ahead of the curve 
vis-a-vis any possible protests against its lifting of 
the ban on the LTTE.  So far, the JVP and anti-LTTE 
deproscription elements in the PA have remained 
relatively muted in their criticisms.  We expect the JVP 
might try to mobilize some street actions (rallies, 
demos) soon, however.  (POL) 
 
CONFUSION RE PROPOSED AMENDMENT 
------------------------------- 
3.  (C) We have heard reports that the GSL plans to table 
in Parliament soon its much discussed constitutional 
amendment limiting presidential powers to call new 
elections.  There is some confusion as to whether or not 
the draft amendment will also include language allowing 
for crossover voting in Parliament.  There is also 
confusion as to whether President Kumaratunga will 
concede and support the amendment in the end.  We'll 
report more as things get clearer, but wanted you to know 
that it appears we're at make-or-break time re the 
proposed amendment.  (POL) 
 
NORWEGIAN AMB RE TALKS 
---------------------- 
4.  (C) Please pass to EUR/NB and EAP/BCLTV:  Norwegian 
Ambassador Westborg told Charge today that he did not 
expect the September 16-18 talks in Thailand to be too 
substantive at this point.  The focus of the two sides 
would be establishing cordial atmospherics and agreement 
on modalities, i.e., settling on the structure, agenda, 
and date for future talks.  There also would be some 
discussion re development-related issues, such as 
demining, etc.  The sides seem set to issue a joint call 
for international humanitarian and demining assistance at 
the close of the meeting.  Westborg reported that the GSL 
for its part would not mind discussing substantive 
issues, but the LTTE has indicated that it is not ready 
yet.  One reason it is apparently not ready is that 
Balasingham has not yet received his detailed briefing 
from Prabhakaran on the way forward.  (POL) 
 
MALDIVES: ATTEMPTED HIJACKING 
----------------------------- 
5.  (U) We have sent front-channel reports re the 
attempted hijacking of an Air Seychelles flight near the 
Maldives. 
 
AMSELEM