WikiLeaks: US Invites Fifteen Other Governments To Address Tiger Financing And Weapons Procurement
“The Ambassador told Palihakkara that the US is inviting fifteen other governments to form overlapping contact groups to address Tiger financing and weapons procurement. Palihakkara agreed to reinforce Sri Lanka’s interest in working with the international community to bring an end to the conflict by reaching out to these nations’ foreign offices after the US has made initial proposals, but to ‘be economical’ in discussing the initiative until the USG wishes to make it known.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
LTTE Leader
A Leaked ‘Confidential’ US diplomatic cable, dated June 13, 2006, updated the Secretary of State regarding and a meeting Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead had with Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara. The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable is signed by the US Ambassador to Colombo Jeffrey J. Lunstead.
The ambassador wrote; “Ambassador impressed upon Palihakkara the importance and uniqueness of this initiative, since the LTTE does not pose a world-wide threat or a terrorist threat to the US. As the move represents a big step outside of the vital national interests of the US, the GSL must do everything in its power, the Ambassador stressed, to make sure that the GSL’s human rights record is clean. Palihakkara said he understood and would use the Ambassador’s message to influence others in the GSL.”
“Palihakkara was visibly pleased with the US’s contact group initiative, saying ‘We value your commitment to do peacemaking in a practical way.’ The Ambassador stressed the need not to announce or leak this initiative, and Palihakkara said he would keep the news in close-hold.” he further wrote.
Related posts to this cable;
