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Wikileaks on Sri Lanka

Wikileaks cables on Sri Lanka. Most of these were published in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten (and not yet elsewhere).

Abbreviations:
GON: Government of Norway, GOJ: Government of Japan, GSL: Government of Sri Lanka, USG: US Government, MFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FM: Foreign Minister, CFA: Cease Fire Agreement, LTTE: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, SLMM: Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, TRO: Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation, IDP: Internally Displaced Person

2002-08-01 02COLOMBO1422 GSL minister cautiously optimistic on direction of peace process based on meeting with Tiger spokesman
The Tigers had requested the meeting and they seemed to want to make it work.
2002-11-26 02COLOMBO2195 OSLO MEETING REAPS LAVISH, UPBEAT PRESS COVERAGE; DEPUTY SECRETARY´S REMARKS EARN PRAISE
Our preliminary assessment is that the Oslo meeting provided the peace process a solid boost.
2002-12-20 02COLOMBO2337 Import of radio equipment for Tamil Tigers sparks controversy for GSL and Norwegian facilitators
critics asserting that the government and the Norwegian facilitators have gone too far in pleasing the Tigers
2003-04-22 03COLOMBO688 Tigers announce they are suspending peace talks; GSL, most observers see move as tactical
Your government, as well as our facilitator Norway, are fully aware of the fact that the United States has legal constraints to invite representatives of a proscribed organization to their country.
2003-04-24 03COLOMBO705 In another negative signal, Tigers postpone meeting of key assistance committee
While the LTTE is broadcasting its views, it seems to have turned off the receive mode, however. Despite all the bad news, there is still not a sense of panic regarding the state of the peace process.
2003-05-06 03COLOMBO755 Norwegians, Japanese press Tigers to return to talks and to attend donors conference
So far, the Tigers are not playing ball.
2003-05-08 03COLOMBO773 Tigers meet Japanese envoy and are noncommittal about returning to talks
it´s still not clear what the Tigers plan to do and whether they will be back in the ballgame soon
2003-05-16 03COLOMBO824 Norwegian FM presses Tigers, but no sign of give yet; Latest re cohabitation stresses
the president and the PM continue to bicker
2003-05-21 03COLOMBO851 Tigers issue hard-edged letter demanding interim structure in north/east
the sudden recrudescense of the interim structure idea raises real questions regarding the Tigers´ commitment to the [peace] process
2003-06-16 03COLOMBO1053 Tensions notch up over sinking of Tamil Tiger ship and latest slaying of a Tiger opponent
Kandiah Subathiran was shot and killed while exercising on the roof of his house
2003-07-15 03COLOMBO1262 Tigers still refusing request from monitors to vacate forward base; Another military informant killed
Haukland said the agreement makes clear that the military forces of the LTTE and the government cannot expand their zones of control during the ceasefire.
2003-08-11 03COLOMBO1399 Norwegian facilitator set to arrive to work on LTTE base issue; Tigers get ready for Paris meeting
Solheim will have to use all of his many wiles to convince [the LTTE] that their stance is self-defeating.
2003-10-23 03COLOMBO1845 President demands removal of chief monitor, but it is not clear how far she wants to push matter
If the president presses this matter, it will become a real cohabitation donnybrook
2003-11-04 03COLOMBO1902 Provoking political crisis, President fires three key ministers and suspends Parliament
The President´s action highlights her increasing volatility.
2003-11-05 03COLOMBO1918 President Affirms Commitment to Negotiated Settlement and Cease-fire
PM Wickremasinghe had "whined so much" about how he needed to put his own defense minister in to move forward on the peace process that "I gave it to him and have regretted it ever since."
2003-11-12 03COLOMBO1956 Sri Lanka update: No resolution in "cordial" President-PM meeting; Norwegians here to meet all sides
Buddhist monks told the President she should have consulted with the PM prior to taking action.
2003-11-17 03COLOMBO1982 Possible ways forward in political standoff between Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister
Several options remain available to resolve the imbroglio
2004-03-06 04COLOMBO406 Sri Lanka: Ignoring orders of LTTE leadership, rebel commander remains ensconced in east
Karuna´s split from the main LTTE organization appears to be the most serious internal crisis ever faced by the group.
2004-03-15 04COLOMBO456 Norwegian Special Envoy Solheim reviews latest on LTTE split and discusses upcoming election
there is great uncertainty over how the Karuna matter will play out
2004-04-15 04COLOMBO644 In meeting, Norwegian Ambassador reviews recent discussion with President on peace process
Norway expects a formal request from the GSL to continue its role as peace facilitator.
2004-06-09 04COLOMBO953 Recent meetings show the way forward for Sri Lanka peace process is troubled
the two sides are moving further apart
2004-06-17 04COLOMBO1013 Talks about Talks in Stasis while Norwegians Ponder Next Moves
Both sides have rejected a Norwegian compromise formulation
2004-06-23 04COLOMBO1062 NORWEGIAN PEREGRINATIONS FOR PEACE
LTTE distrust is so deep that they will not move forward without "something solid."
2004-09-20 04COLOMBO1558 NORWEGIAN ENVOY SOLHEIM FINDS GSL AND LTTE COMMITTED TO PEACE PROCESS
Solheim said that Thamilchelvan complained about "bias" from the international community. ... (COMMENT: Good, the Tigers are getting the message.)
2004-11-29 04COLOMBO1919 NORWEGIANS CONCERNED BY JVP-ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN AGAINST THEM
`The Norwegian Government has thus openly contravened the United Nations Resolution 1373 of 2001 relating to the suppression of terrorism.'
2004-12-06 04COLOMBO1948 "LOW KEY" NORWEGIAN VISIT TO WANNI; THREE CO-CHAIRS TO DISCUSS JVP ANTI-NORWAY CAMPAIGN WITH PRESIDENT
Co-chair representatives agreed that Japan, the EU and the U.S. would call on President Kumaratunga to express concern over the JVP-orchestrated anti-Norway campaign.
2005-08-18 05COLOMBO1453 SRI LANKA: NORWEGIAN FACILITATORS SEND LETTER TO LTTE LEADER PRABHAKARAN VIA LONDON, GSL ASKS EU TO LIST LTTE AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
The EU missions in Colombo plan to endorse the idea strongly to Brussels.
2006-01-23 06COLOMBO137 U/S BURNS REVIEWS SRI LANKAN PEACE PROCESS WITH NORWEGIAN FACILITATOR ERIK SOLHEIM
Burns expressed U.S. support for the Norwegian facilitation effort
2006-05-25 06COLOMBO872 TOKYO CO-CHAIRS PRE-MEETINGS
Unexpectedly, Netherlands Ambassador Van Dijk said that a Co-Chairs statement should not mention "terrorism," ... Van Dijk's position seemed to surprise everyone, and Ambassador strongly refuted it.
2006-06-23 06COLOMBO1047 NORWEGIANS RUNNING OUT OF STEAM, EU MONITORS TO LEAVE IN 30 DAYS
Norwegians more depressed than we have ever seen them.
2007-05-18 07COLOMBO728 SRI LANKA: GSL COMPLICITY IN PARAMILITARY FACTIONS' HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
President Rajapaksa's government, strapped for cash, has cut direct payments to paramilitaries initiated by former President Kumaratunga and instead turns a blind eye to extortion and kidnapping for ransom by EPDP and Karuna.
2007-06-12 07COLOMBO830 SRI LANKA: TAMIL TIGERS SIPHON OFF PART OF INTERNATIONAL RELIEF FUNDS
The TRO representative withdraws the money from the local NGO's account, provides a cut to the LTTE, and distributes the rest to accomplish the particular project
2009-05-12 09COLOMBO516 SRI LANKA: PROCUREMENT OF LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM NORTH KOREA AND IRAN
points concerning possible GSL purchase
2009-07-13 09COLOMBO695 DOCTORS RECANT EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
The doctors said they were "pressured" by the LTTE to release the casualty figures during the fighting, and that in reality the number of killed and wounded civilians was much lower. Many international observers doubt the veracity of this "confession"
2009-08-24 09COLOMBO830 DOCTORS FROM NO-FIRE ZONE RELEASED ON BAIL
Four government doctors, held by the police Criminal Investigation Division since the end of the war in May for allegedly filing false reports on civilian casualties in the No-Fire Zone during the last several months of the war, were released on bail today.
2009-10-21 09COLOMBO968 SRI LANKA DENIES NEGOTIATIONS TO PROCURE LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM IRAN
Notwithstanding the DG,s vehement denial of GSL procurements and negotiations from Iran, the GSL,s recent interactions with Iranian military officials raise questions.
2010-01-15 10COLOMBO32 SRI LANKA WAR-CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY: THE TAMIL PERSPECTIVE
accountability has not been a high-profile issue
2010-01-22 10COLOMBO50 SRI LANKA: ASSESSING PROGRESS ON KEY ISSUES
U.S. assistance to Sri Lanka, particularly military assistance, is tied to progress by the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) on several key issues, including treatment of IDPs, human rights, political reconciliation, and accountability for alleged crimes perpetrated by GSL troops and officials during the war with the LTTE.
2009-05-07 09LONDON1082 SRI LANKA: UPDATE ON UK ACTION AND THINKING
Waite said that with UK elections on the horizon and many Tamils living in Labour constituencies with slim majorities, the UK Government is paying particular attention to Sri Lanka
2006-04-11 06OSLO467 "GRIM" PROSPECTS FOR SRI LANKA PEACE TALKS
Geneva Two will likely be postponed, if not canceled.
2006-06-12 06OSLO759 SRI LANKA TALKS DISINTEGRATE IN OSLO
the talks did not occur for a variety of reasons, including the LTTE's ... dissatisfaction with the EU's recent designation of the LTTE as a terrorist organization
2009-05-08 09STATE46946 SRI LANKA NEGOTIATING TO PROCURE LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM NORTH KOREA AND IRAN
Some of these proposed arms imports appear to violate UNSCR 1718.
2006-05-31 06TOKYO2987 CO-CHAIRS APPEAL TO SRI LANKA TO PULL BACK FROM CRISIS
the history of Sri Lanka shows that war is not winnable for either side