US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1512

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001512 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, NO, CE, LTTE - Peace Process, Political Parties 
SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS SEEK INSTRUCTIONS FROM OSLO IN FACE OF 
CRITICISM FROM NEW FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
Classified By: Charge' d'Affaires, a.i. James F. Entwistle for reasons 
1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
 1. (C)  Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar told 
Charge' August 30 that he is seeking instructions 
from Oslo on how to proceed in the face of 
continuing public criticism of the Norwegian peace 
process facilitation role.  Brattskar confided he 
is particular angry about public comments new 
Foreign Minister (and Presidential sibling) Anura 
Bandaranaike made about the Norwegians during his 
recent trip to New Delhi.  (Anura is quoted in the 
local papers this morning that he wants India "to 
try to influence the Europeans in particular who 
have been misled by the Norwegians away from the 
LTTE" and that the Norwegians have been providing 
"misinformation" about the real nature of the 
LTTE.)  Brattskar also said he had found an August 
30 op-ed hatchet job in the English language Daily 
Mirror on Norwegian DFM Vidar Helgesen to be 
beyond the pale.  (The op-ed, a long rambling 
attack on just about everyone involved in the 
peace process by one of Colombo's more rabid 
journalists, states that "Helgesen is the human 
face of a psychopath" and "We have been Helgesen's 
slaves for too long."  The piece also blames 
Helgesen for the August 12 assassination of then- 
Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and implies 
that it would be appropriate for Helgesen to meet 
the same fate.) 
 
2. (C)  Brattskar told Charge' he will seek 
instructions from Oslo and then intends to call on 
Foreign Ministry Secretary Palihakkara August 31 
to convey concern at the Foreign Minister's 
comments and note that while Norway remains 
committed to its facilitation role, it will not go 
down well with Oslo if Norway's involvement 
becomes a political football in the upcoming Sri 
Lankan presidential election.  Brattskar said he 
would give a readout on his discussion with 
Palihkakara, as well as an update on his efforts 
to arrange a cease-fire agreement (CFA) 
implementation meeting, at a Colombo co-chairs 
meeting Charge' is hosting on September 1. 
 
3. (C)  Comment.  Norwegian frustration over 
Anura's comments is understandable and there is 
little doubt that anti-Norwegian sentiment will be 
stirred up as election fever grows.  We will 
continue to tell the government and other parties 
here that we think the Norwegians are doing a fine 
job and have full U.S. support.  Some of 
Brattskar's frustration undoubtedly comes from his 
lack of success at setting up a CFA meeting. 
Press reports this morning state the LTTE 
continues to refuse to meet in no-man's land south 
of Kilinochchi for security reasons.  The real 
reason probably is that, with a Presidential 
election in the offing, the LTTE sees no reason to 
come to the table with a lame duck administration. 
ENTWISTLE