US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1864

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001864 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PTER, PHUM, CE, IR, IAEA 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE - IRANIAN PRESIDENT'S INCREASING EXTREMISM 
 
REF: STATE 199225 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 1.4 (b) 
and (d). 
 
 1.  (SBU)  The Ambassador raised reftel points on 
Ahmadi-Nejad's October 25 remarks on wiping Israel 
off the map with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Anura 
Bandanaraike during an October 28 conversation 
(other subjects reported septel).  Bandanaraike 
was not familiar with the Iranian president's 
speech but nodded in agreement as the Ambassador 
outlined U.S. concerns with the remarks about 
Israel as well as Iranian nuclear conduct, 
interference in Iraq and poor respect for human 
rights and democratic principles.  The Foreign 
Minister instructed his staff to get him a copy of 
the speech (which he termed a "very serious 
statement") and listened carefully as the 
Ambassador outlined which countries had already 
made public condemnations of Ahmadi-Nejad's 
statement and urged that Sri Lanka consider doing 
the same. 
 
2. (C) The Ambassador also raised our desire for 
Sri Lankan support regarding Iran in the IAEA. 
Bandanaraike said he had appreciated his September 
discussions on the subject with U/S Joseph in New 
York and appeared receptive to the Ambassador's 
point that the IAEA should refer Iran to the UN 
Security Council. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  The new Foreign Minister clearly 
understood and sympathized with our concerns 
regarding Iran.  However, it is a fact that Sri 
Lanka receives large quantities of subsidized 
petroleum from Iran, which will make Colombo 
reluctant to get too far out in front on this 
issue. 
 
LUNSTEAD