US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1286

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001286 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, EAID, PGOV, CE, NO, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: LTTE STIFFS NORWEGIANS ON CEASEFIRE TALKS, PTOMS 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD FOR REASON 1.4 (D). 
 
 1.  (C) Summary: The LTTE told Norwegians they will not 
hold talks on ceasefire with Government until it disarms 
all paramilitaries.  The Tigers also said they were not 
willing to change any part of the PTOMS agreement.  The two 
sides continue to work with the SLMM to solve the 
transportation issue.  Co-Chair Ambassadors will meet 
President on Monday to ask her to ensure Government 
compliance with CFA.  End Summary. 
 
LTTE on Ceasefire Talks: No 
--------------------------- 
 
2. (C) Norwegian charge Oddvar Laegried visited Kilinocchi 
July 20 for talks with LTTE on ceasefire and PTOMS, meeting 
with the LTTE's Tamilchelvan and other LTTE officials.  On 
the PTOMS, Laegried conveyed the GSL view that stressed the 
positive side of the Supreme Court ruling--that the Court 
had validated the President's ability to enter into an 
agreement with the LTTE and upheld the legality of the 
CeaseFire Agreement (CFA).  The GSL (Jayantha Dhanapala) 
had told Laegried that they expected the Court to lift all 
of its interim stay orders after the GSL gave its 
responses.  At Dhanapala's request, Laegried asked if the 
LTTE would agree to change the seat of the PTOMS Regional 
Committee from Kilinocchi to Trincomalee.  Tamilchelvan's 
response was that the LTTE was not willing to change 
anything in the PTOMS. 
 
Same on the Ceasefire 
---------------------- 
 
3. (C) Laegried then referred to the statement issued by 
Co-chairs in Colombo the day before calling for both sides 
to take steps to strengthen the CFA and to sit down 
together to talk about ways to do so.  Laegried strongly 
urged a meeting with the GSL to discuss the CFA. 
Tamilchelvan refused, saying such a meeting would only be 
possible after the GSL disarmed all paramilitary groups. 
It was the GSL's responsibility to provide security for 
unarmed LTTE political cadres.  When Laegried mentioned the 
portion of the Co-chairs statement calling on the LTTE to 
stop all killings by its members, there was no response. 
 
A Small Opening? 
---------------- 
4. (C) During lunch with LTTE Peace Secretariat Head 
Pulidevan (Tamilchelvan did not attend), Laegried continued 
to press the gravity of the situation and the need for the 
LTTE to sit and talk with the GSL.  Pulidevan said that he 
was willing to meet GSL Peace Secretariat head Jayantha 
Dhanapala--on one condition, that the issue of security for 
transport of LTTE cadres be resolved first.  Laegried said 
that SLMM head Haukland was working on that very issue and 
would present a compromise proposal to both sides. 
Laegried said that if the SLMM were able to solve this 
problem, and if Pulidevan then met Dhanapala, there might 
be an opening to move toward broader engagement. 
 
A Different Tamilchelvan 
------------------------ 
 
5. (C) Laegried commented that Tamilchelvan, whom he has 
met many times, has been different in the last few 
meetings--stiff and unsmiling.  Rather then engaging in a 
genuine dialogue as earlier, he now spoke in predictable 
set pieces. 
 
Government Disappointed 
----------------------- 
 
6. (C) Laegried relayed the results of his meetings to 
Dhanapala, who was predictably disappointed.  Dhanapala 
also said that the was disappointed that the Co-chairs 
statement called on the GSL to disarm paramilitaries.  He 
argued that the Karuna group was not a paramilitary under 
the terms of the CFA, since it did not exist at the time 
the CFA was signed. 
 
Co-Chairs to Meet CBK 
--------------------- 
 
7.  (C) Co-chairs will call on President Kumaratunga Monday 
July 25 to discuss cease fire issues.  They will tell 
Kumaratunga that they are concerned about the CFA, which is 
coming under increasing strain.  They will ask that she 
take action to ensure that the Government is abiding by the 
CFA. 
 
Comment 
------- 
8. (C) The response from the LTTE was predictable but 
nonetheless disappointing.  It is not clear to us how hard 
the Norwegian charge was willing to push the LTTE.  They 
need to hear a clear message--that maintenance of the CFA 
is the responsibility of both parties.  Dhanapala's 
contention that essentially the GSL has no obligation to 
deal with the Karuna group is also disheartening.  Whether 
or not they fall under the paramilitary provision of the 
CFA, the GSL is allowing (at least) or assisting (at most) 
an armed group to operate out of its territory and to 
murder LTTE members.  Jayantha is also supposed to be at 
the meeting with Kumaratunga; we'll see what he has to say 
then. 
LUNSTEAD