From: <a href="http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/wikileaksdokumenter/article3954344.ece">Aftenposten</a>

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7/15/2003 2:48
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001262
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, S/CT NSC FOR E. MILLARD E.O. 12958:
DECL: 07-18-13
TAGS: PGOV, PTER, PHUM, PINS, CE, NO, LTTE - Peace Process
SUBJECT: Tigers still refusing request from monitors to vacate
forward base; Another military informant killed
Refs: (A) FBIS Reston Va DTG 170326Z Jul 03
- (B) FBIS Reston Va DTG 150248Z Jul 03
- (C) Colombo 1256, and previous
(U) Classified by James F. Entwistle, Charge d´Affaires. Reasons 1.5 (b, d).

1. (C)
SUMMARY: The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has not yet
been able to convince the Tamil Tigers to vacate a base the
group has established in the east.  The Tigers say the base is
within their zone and not in a GSL-demarcated area. In other
peace process developments, another military informant was
killed late July 17. The Tigers are almost certainly to
blame. The controversy over the base is causing strains in the
SLMM´s relationship with the Tigers. END SUMMARY.

2. (C)
CONTROVERSY OVER TIGER BASE: The Norwegian-run SLMM is
becoming increasingly concerned over the Liberation Tigers of
Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization´s refusal to vacate a forward
base the group has established in the east. The base, which is
variously referred to as the "Wan Ela" or "Manrasakulam" camp,
is near Kinniya, a town located roughly 15 kilometers to the
southwest of Trincomalee city. It is not clear when the LTTE
established the base, but the group apparently did so in the
past year. The LTTE has reportedly taken steps to enlarge the
base in recent weeks.  The base is believed to contain several
bunkers which are possibly filled with arms and ammunition.

3. (C)
Reacting to complaints from the GSL and local Muslims, the
SLMM began to investigate the LTTE´s establishment of the base
several weeks ago. (Note: Kinniya has a large population of
Muslims. Muslims, in general, are very worried about any
indications of increased Tiger influence in the east -- see
Ref C.)  According to Hagrup Haukland, the Deputy Chief of the
SLMM, the basic rule the monitors are using in examining the
dispute comes from the February 2002 ceasefire
agreement. 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.  After examining
records and completing a site survey of the base on July 16,
the SLMM ruled that the Tigers´ base was built after the
ceasefire agreement came into force and that it encroaches on
government-controlled territory.

4. (C)
For their part, the Tigers have vociferously denied that the
base is in a government-controlled area.  In recent meetings
with SLMM officials, including Chief Tryggve Tellefsen, the
LTTE´s political chief S.P.  Thamilchelvam has underscored
that the Tigers have no plans to vacate the area. Exasperated
by the Tigers´ hard-line stance, Haukland has given several
interviews to the press in which he has lashed out at the
LTTE, asserting that the group must vacate the site as soon as
possible (see Refs A-B). Among other concerns, Haukland has
also complained that the LTTE is not allowing the monitors
access to sites in all the areas it controls.  In recent
conversations with polchief Haukland asserted that the
monitors´ relationship with the Tigers is not approaching the
breakdown stage despite his harsh comments. When asked about
next steps, Haukland said the SLMM would continue to try to
convince the Tigers to withdraw from the area through private
and public communications.  (Note: The SLMM´s Tellefsen
briefed Prime Minister Wickremesinghe about the dispute in a
July 17 meeting.)

5. (C)
ANOTHER INFORMANT SLAIN: In other peace process developments,
another military informant was killed late July 17. The
informant, a Muslim named Abdul Baheer Fowzie, 38, was gunned
down by two men at a site north of Trincomalee city. The
slaying of Fowzie appears to be part of the spate of killings
of military informants and Tamil Tiger opponents that has
gained pace in recent months (see Ref C). The Tigers have not
taken responsibility for any of the killings, including that
of Fowzie. Given the seemingly organized nature of the
killings and the victims´ occupations and/or political
leanings, there is little doubt that the Tigers are
responsible, however.

6. (C)
COMMENT: The controversy over the base near Kinniya is
sparking strains in the SLMM´s relationship with the Tigers.
In their public comments, there is little doubt that the
monitors are getting increasingly exasperated with the
Tigers. The SLMM essentially feels that the LTTE is not living
up to its part of the ceasefire agreement bargain by acceding
to the monitors´ rulings.  The SLMM has made the Tiger
leadership aware of its concerns, and it is now up to
Thamilchelvam and others to react in a constructive manner. If
the Tigers do not play ball, the SLMM´s mandate will become
increasingly difficult to fulfill. END COMMENT.

ENTWISTLE 
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