US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO2015

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002015 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SA/FO ROCCA, CAMP 
SA/INS (FOR JWALLER); SA/PAB SA/RA (FOR SCENSNY) 
SA/PD LJIRWIN, WREINCKENS, SHOVANEC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO SL 
SUBJECT:  COLOMBO-COMMISSIONED POLL GIVES HIGH MARKS TO USG 
 
 
1. In FY2002 Embassy Colombo commissioned an opinion poll 
to assess Sri Lankan public perceptions of USG policies 
regarding the peace process.  The poll was performed by a 
local affiliate of A. G. Nielsen.  Its findings were 
presented to a country team meeting convened on 10/24. 
 
2. The poll focused on: 
 
- general perceptions of the U.S. and other nations 
involved in the peace process 
 
- levels of American involvement in the process 
 
- the current U.S. role in the process 
 
- expectations for the future 
 
3. Findings. 
 
3.1. General perceptions: 
 
- Within both "conflict" (i.e., the North and East) and 
"non-conflict" areas, India is perceived as Sri Lanka's 
best friend in South Asia. 
 
- Beyond South Asia, the U.S. is perceived in "non- 
conflict" areas as Sri Lanka's best friend, Norway by Sri 
Lankans living in "conflict" areas. 
 
- The U.S. is seen as "moderately trustworthy" in both 
"conflict" and "non-conflict" areas. 
 
- Norway and India excepted, the U.S. has been the most 
influential international player in Sri Lanka. 
 
- The U.S. has no significant bias towards any Sri Lankan 
ethnic group. 
 
3.2. Levels of U.S. involvement 
 
- For Sri Lankans in both "conflict" and "non-conflict" 
areas, the U.S. "gives adequate attention" to Sri Lankan 
issues. 
 
- "Non-conflict" Sri Lankans perceive the U.S. to be 
particularly involved in solving "the ethnic problem 
through mediation" and "improv[ing] the economy." 
"Conflict" Sri Lankans agree that the U.S. provides 
economic assistance, although "providing military ... 
assistance to fight the war" is more often cited. "Non- 
conflict" Sri Lankans would prefer that the U.S. continue 
its mediation efforts; for "conflict" Sri Lankans, 
additional economic assistance is a higher priority. 
 
3.3. The USG and the current peace process 
 
- "Conflict" and "non-conflict" Sri Lankans alike believe 
that the U.S. has influenced the LTTE to agree to the 
cease-fire and has been "involved in the monitoring 
process." 
 
- They also give the U.S. high marks for "sincerity" and 
"honesty," although "conflict" Sri Lankans wonder about 
our "ulterior motives" while in "non-conflict" areas our 
national interests are occasionally questioned. 
 
3.4. Expected Involvement in the current peace process 
 
- 67 percent of "conflict" Sri Lankans and 48 percent of 
"non-conflict" Sri Lankans expect the U.S. to play a 
larger role in facilitating peace. 
 
- In "non-conflict" areas it is hoped that American 
facilitation will bring both sides to the negotiating 
table, and influence the LTTE to "forego" some of its 
"hard demands."  "Conflict" area Sri Lankans hope that 
the U.S. will "get more involved in the monitoring 
process. 
 
- If the peace process succeeds, most Sri Lankans, 
particularly in the North and East, hope that the U.S. 
will provide economic assistance to the country. 
 
- Were the process to fail, "conflict" area Sri Lankans 
would expect the USG to mediate further "between the 
government and the LTTE to solve the problem through 
peace."  "Non-conflict" area Sri Lankans would want the 
USG to respond with "military intervention," "military 
assistance," and funds to pursue a "full-fledged war 
against the LTTE." 
 
4. The A. C. Nielsen presentation received by the country 
team on 10/24 has been sent via email to SA/PD.  Full texts 
of the report are available at Embassy Colombo. 
 
Wills