WikiLeaks: Mahinda Confident That He Can Manipulate The JVP, We Hope He’s Right – US
“Rajapakse, more energetic and articulate than we’ve seen him, is supremely confident that he can control and manipulate the JVP to suit his electoral purposes. We hope he’s right. The problem is that he seems oblivious to our point that ‘words matter’ and that interested international partners (and, presumably, the LTTE) cannot help but read his pact with the JVP as a renunciation of the peace process and economic reform, even when viewed through the prism of electoral opportunism. Our counsel that ‘words matter’ seemed to fall on deaf ears but we will continue to make it. At several points during the conversation Rajapakse also made clear his resentment of the Bandaranaikes, the manner in which they have treated him, and their presumption, as he sees it, that the SLFP is family property.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Rajapaksa and the US Ambassador Lunstead
A Leaked “CONFIDENTIAL” US diplomatic cable, dated September 12, 2005, updated the Secretary of State on Sri Lanka’s presidential election 2005. The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable was signed by the US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead. The cable details a US meeting with Prime Minister and the Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Under the subheading “Trust Me” the ambassador wrote “Rajapakse concluded discussion of his pact with the JVP by stating, ‘I will deliver the goods. I come from the village and got here the hard way. Trust me. The peace process will continue.’ The Ambassador said he appreciated the words of reassurance but reiterated his suggestion that the PM make similar public assurances, especially to the international community.”
“The Ambassador noted that the economic tenets of the JVP agreement seemed to endorse major steps backwards on economic reform and privatization. Rajapakse dismissed such concerns, noting that the agreement ‘endorses globalization’ and only finds fault with privatization of key government entities. Asked about the agreement’s endorsement of a ‘non-aligned’ foreign policy, Rajapakse sputtered a bit about the need for Sri Lanka to ‘not be aligned exclusively with any foreign country.’ The Ambassador noted that the JVP’s role models included Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez and Kim Jong Il, all representing countries that had done nothing to further Sri Lanka’s development. The PM laughed off the Ambassador’s comments, noting that the JVP, following a trip by several of its leaders to Japan, is “now more interested in Japan as a model.” Jeffrey Lunstead further wrote.
Read the cable below for further details;
Related post to this cable;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001605 Read More
