WikiLeaks: US State Department Collected Information From INGOs
“Nils Mork of CARE said that the organization had 300 representatives on the ground in Sri Lanka, 95 percent of whom were Sri Lankan nationals. CARE compiled situation reports from staff in the conflict zone once a week, and there were plenty of anecdotes that could be of interest for purposes of the congressionally mandated report. He promised to speak to his director and see if it would be possible to provide this information to the State Department.” the US Embassy Oslo informed Washington.
Ranveig Tveitnes
A Leaked “CONFIDENTIAL” US diplomatic cable, dated August 24, 20o9, recounts the details of a meeting the US ambassador to Oslo Clint Williamson has had with Ranveig Tveitnes, former country director for Forut, and Nils Mork, political advisor for CARE Norway. The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database which is written by acting Deputy Chief of Mission Cherrie Daniels.
“Tveitnes, who was expelled from Sri Lanka without an explanation, explained that Forut, and a number of other international NGOs, had local staff on the ground with satellite phones who were able to provide brief but consistent text message situation reports. Tveitnes also would text specific questions to her contact and receive responses. She had compiled the messages from her contact and provided print outs to Ambassador Williamson. Forut continues to be one of the largest NGOs operating in Sri Lanka, feeding 60,000 Tamils per day. Tveitnes also referred Williamson to Guy Rhodes, a Geneva-based employee of the NGO umbrella organization Solidar, who, she said, had compiled reports from various NGOs which had maintained a presence on the ground in the conflict zone, including staff from Oxfam, CARE, Danish Refugee Council, Forut, ZOA Refugee Care, World University Service of Canada, and Save the Children. Ambassador Williamson later called Rhodes, who has since provided the compiled information. “ the acting Deputy Chief of Mission Cherrie Daniels further wrote.
Other stories related to this cable;
Read the relevent part of the cable; Read More
