US embassy cable - 02COLOMBO2319

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 002319 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12-17-12 
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, PHUM, CE, Political Parties, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT:  Tensions rise incrementally as LTTE demands 
EPDP leave Jaffna; GSL supports EPDP's political rights 
 
Ref:  Colombo 2184 
 
(U) Classified by Lewis Amselem, DCM.  Reasons 1.5 
(b,d). 
 
1. (C) SUMMARY:  The last few weeks have seen continued 
tension between the Eelam People's Democratic Party 
(EPDP) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). 
The tension was briefly highlighted when the LTTE stated 
that the EPDP must leave Jaffna.  In return, the EPDP is 
accusing the LTTE of instigating violent clashes. 
Despite the clashes the EPDP is generally satisfied that 
the GSL is protecting the EPDP's legitimate political 
activities.  There is some concern by the opposition 
that the GSL may not maintain the EPDP's protection if 
the LTTE pushes the issue, however.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Recent incidents 
---------------- 
 
2. (SBU) The past couple of weeks have seen an 
incremental increase in tensions between the LTTE and 
the also Tamil EPDP.  Incidents between the EPDP and the 
LTTE are not new; the EPDP is historically anti-LTTE and 
has cooperated with previous governments in attacking 
them.  The most recent round of incidents appears to 
have been sparked by the EPDP opening new political 
offices in the Jaffna area of northern Sri Lanka in 
November.  The expansion immediately led to clashes 
between local communities and the EPDP cadre, as 
reviewed in Reftel.  GSL security forces briefly 
suppressed the most violent clashes.  The continuation 
of the clashes can be seen in the newspaper headlines of 
the last week, which include these headlines from "The 
Island" (an anti-peace process English language paper): 
 
-- December 14, "Unidentified gang hurls bomb at EPDP 
office" 
 
-- December 13, "LTTE bombs damage EPDP office" 
 
-- December 12, "Public may be involved in EPDP office 
attacks - IGP" (Inspector General of Police) 
 
-- December 11, "Tigers trick students to attack EPDP 
office" 
 
LTTE statement 
-------------- 
 
3. (SBU) During a December 14 press conference, 
following a meeting of the Sub-committee on De- 
escalation and Normalization (SDN), Commander of the 
LTTE in the Batticaloa and Ampara Districts Colonel 
Karuna stated that the LTTE had put forward its "demand 
that the EPDP should be ousted from the Jaffna 
Peninsula."  Karuna was also quoted as stating that 
"some elements are using the EPDP to derail the peace 
process."  He accused the EPDP of instigating violent 
incidents throughout the peninsula.  He further stated 
that the SDN has to give its "final decision" on this 
issue during the next meeting, currently scheduled for 
January 20. 
 
4. (SBU) Karuna's comments were in contrast to a 
Norwegian Press Release on the SDN meeting itself. 
((NOTE:  The release commented on issues concerning GSL 
occupied High Security Zones and on the constructive 
atmosphere of the talks.))  Kethesh Loganathan, of the 
Center for Policy Alternatives (a well regarded local 
think tank), believes that Karuna's statements probably 
accurately reflect LTTE policies.  He further commented 
that although Karuna probably revealed more than he 
should have, the media outlets controlled by the LTTE 
did not contradict any of Karuna's statements. 
 
EPDP's stance 
------------- 
 
5. (C) The EPDP, in turn, accuses the LTTE of 
instigating violence against legal EPDP political 
offices.  EPDP political advisor Dr. K. Vigneswaran 
stated that the LTTE is clearly the aggressor in the 
recent spate of incidents, but that it will not be able 
to keep up the violence much longer.  He said the LTTE 
was able to keep unrest going on Delft Island (an island 
between Sri Lanka and India that is a traditional 
stronghold of the EPDP) only for a couple of weeks. 
Eventually the people got tired of the LTTE bringing in 
a couple of hundred students to conduct protests, 
causing shops to close and preventing fishing. 
Eventually the local community wanted to return to 
normal.  Vigneswaran indicated that the EPDP would hold 
out in areas of Jaffna until the same process occurs 
there. 
6. (C) Vigneswaran added that the EPDP cadre were 
willing to continue their work because they were 
satisfied with the government's efforts to protect their 
political rights from LTTE instigated attacks.  He added 
that the EPDP policy is that the LTTE can not kick them 
out; only the people can vote them out at the ballot 
box.  Harim Peiris, a Presidential Spokesman, commented 
that the EPDP and the Security Forces have a history of 
working together so unless otherwise ordered the 
military and police will protect the rights of the EPDP. 
Peiris added that the GSL is currently doing the right 
thing in standing up to the LTTE on these demands. 
 
Possible outcomes 
----------------- 
 
7. (C) Peiris expressed concern that if the EPDP's 
presence in Jaffna becomes a major stumbling block in 
the peace talks the GSL may back down "for the overall 
good."  Where Vigneswaran sees the LTTE eventually 
backing down because the local Tamil community becomes 
tired of agitation, Peiris worried that the GSL would 
tire of resisting the LTTE and back down.  Loganathan 
emphasized that even if the GSL wanted to accede to the 
LTTE demands it could not easily remove elected 
parliamentary officials from the districts they 
represent.  On the other hand, Peiris believes that if 
the LTTE applies enough pressure the GSL will remove 
Security Force protection from EPDP offices. 
Vigneswaran added that the EPDP will stay as long as the 
agitation remains at the level of shouting, rock 
throwing, and intermittent firebombs; if shooting starts 
the EPDP will have to withdraw. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
8. (C) The current tensions surrounding the EPDP in 
Jaffna are by no means a crisis, but the string of 
incidents is one clear example of the obstacles the 
government must surmount in the current peace process. 
Despite the EPDP's history of being involved in 
disappearance, torture, extortion and other activities, 
it is a viable Tamil political party in Sri Lanka.  The 
LTTE's demand that the EPDP be removed from Jaffna is 
one that brings into doubt recent LTTE pledges to allow 
other parties to operate in Tamil areas.  Having said 
that, there is still a month to go before the next SDN 
meeting -- and the LTTE's deadline -- and much can 
happen to resolve this issue or bring another to the 
forefront. 
 
9. (U) Minimize considered. 
 
Wills