US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO2206

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002206 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11-29-12 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, PINS, PHUM, PREL, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT:  LTTE leader Prabhakaran's annual hero's day 
speech was a mixed bag of positive and negative comments 
 
Ref:  Colombo 2195 
 
(U) Classified by Lewis Amselem, DCM.  Reasons 1.5 
(b,d). 
 
1.  (C) On November 27 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 
(LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran made his annual 
"Hero's Day" speech.  The government of Sri Lanka has 
commented favorably on the speech, highlighting 
Prabhakaran's acceptance of regional autonomy instead of 
a separate state.  Prabhakaran's willingness to commit 
to a goal less than independent Eelam on the day 
commemorating the "heroes" that have died trying to 
establish Eelam is a significant positive sign.  The 
address was not entirely positive, however.  Prabhakaran 
indicated that if LTTE demands were not met, it would 
have no choice but to secede from Sri Lanka.  He also 
noted that the Tigers would go back to using violence if 
necessary.  A copy of the text was faxed to SA/INS. 
 
2. (U) Some of the positive aspects of the speech 
included the following statements: 
 
-- We are prepared to consider favorably a political 
framework that offers substantial regional autonomy and 
self-government in our homeland on the basis of our 
right to internal self-determination. 
 
-- If a reasonable settlement to the Tamil national 
question could be realized by peaceful means we will 
make every endeavor, with honesty and sincerity to 
pursue that path. 
 
-- The present government has been taking concrete 
actions redressing the urgent and immediate problems of 
our people. 
 
3. (U) Some of the negative aspects of the speech 
included the following statements: 
 
-- If our demand for regional self-rule is rejected we 
have no alternative other than to secede and form an 
independent state. 
 
-- If the Sinhala chauvinistic forces, for their own 
petty political reasons scuttle this peace effort ... 
the Tamil people will be compelled to pursue the path of 
secession and political independence. 
 
-- The military occupation is suffocating the civilian 
masses and causing tensions.  Jaffna, which is the 
cultural heartland of the Tamil people, has turned into 
an open prison. 
 
4.  (SBU) Mission plans on using the following "if 
asked" press guidance: 
 
Begin text: 
 
The United States has carefully reviewed the annual 
address delivered on November 27 by Velupillai 
Prabhakaran, leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 
Eelam (LTTE). 
 
We are encouraged by Mr. Prabhakaran's assertion that 
regional autonomy -- and not separatism -- is the goal 
of the LTTE.  We also welcome the expressions of support 
for the peace process and for Norway's facilitation 
effort. 
 
Regrettably, Mr. Prabhakaran ignored the opportunity of 
this annual message to renounce violence, warning 
rather, that the LTTE would return to terrorism -- and 
to its original objective of an Eelam -- if it is unable 
to achieve its aspirations through dialogue.  We 
emphasize once again that the international community is 
awaiting the LTTE's renunciation of violence. 
 
As our Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said 
in Oslo, we urge the LTTE to make a "public renunciation 
of terrorism and of violence - to make it clear to the 
people of Sri Lanka and indeed to the international 
community -- that the LTTE has abandoned its armed 
struggle for a separate state; and instead accepts the 
sovereignty of a Sri Lankan government that respects and 
protects the rights of all its people." 
 
End text. 
 
Wills