This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 08 COLOMBO 002064 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS, S/CT; NSC FOR E. MILLARD 
 
LONDON FOR POL/RIEDEL 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL: 11-04-2002 
TAGS: PGOV PTER EAID KPAO CE NO TH LTTE
SUBJECT:  Second session of talks between the Sri Lankan 
government and the LTTE makes significant progress 
 
Refs: (A) Colombo/Ops Center 11-03-02 telecon 
-     (B) Colombo 2055, and previous 
 
(U) Classified by Ambassador E. Ashley Wills. 
Reasons 1.5 (b,d). 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY:  The second session of GSL-LTTE talks 
made significant progress, with the two sides agreeing 
to form sub-committees focusing on humanitarian, de- 
escalation, and political issues.  The two sides also 
agreed to a meeting schedule stretching into March 2003. 
In another constructive development, the chief LTTE 
negotiator announced that the group wants to enter Sri 
Lanka's "political mainstream."  Observers have welcomed 
the outcome of the talks.  Based on the positive 
vibrations, both sides seem to be buying into the peace 
process now more than ever.  Mission's proposed press 
statement is contained in Para 10.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------- 
Talks Make Solid Progress 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) The second session of talks between the Sri 
Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 
Eelam (LTTE) made significant progress in moving the 
peace process forward.  (Note:  The session took place 
in Thailand from October 31 - November 3.)  In a 
November 4 phone call from Tokyo, Milinda Moragoda, a 
key member of the government's delegation, told the 
Ambassador that "the dynamics and chemistry at the talks 
were excellent."   Moragoda said the talks went so well 
that it was "sort of scary."  (Note:  The Ambassador 
meets Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg, who was a 
member of the Norwegian facilitation team in Thailand, 
tonight to review the talks.) 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Itemizing what was achieved, the Norwegian 
government issued a statement at the close of the talks. 
The statement, text contained in Para 11, included the 
following highlights: 
 
-- The statement said the two sides had "demonstrated a 
positive, pragmatic, and conciliatory approach" at the 
talks and added that the two sides continued to move 
deliberately toward achievement of "a lasting political 
settlement." 
 
-- The two sides confirmed "their strong commitment to 
the (February 2002) ceasefire agreement and their 
support for the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission." 
 
-- Commenting on the tense situation in ethnically-mixed 
eastern Sri Lanka, the statement said the two sides were 
committed to accommodating "the needs of all three 
communities in the east - Tamils, Muslims, and 
Sinhalese."  (Note:  The Norwegian government issued 
another statement with additional information on plans 
to ease tensions in the east.  This statement is 
contained in Para 12.) 
 
-- The two sides agreed to form the following three sub- 
committees: 
 
- (i) "Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs 
in the North and East" Sub-Committee:  This sub- 
committee will work to identify and prioritize 
assistance-related projects in the north and east.  It 
will also decide on financial allocations and 
implementing agencies for the projects.  The sub- 
committee will also work with the Norwegian government 
on preparations for the November 25 meeting of donor 
governments in Oslo.  The chief GSL representative on 
the sub-committee will be Ambassador Bernard 
Goonetilleke, head of the government's Peace 
Secretariat.  The GSL side will include Muslim 
 
SIPDIS 
representation.  The LTTE's chief representative will be 
S.P. Thamilchelvam, the head of the LTTE's political 
wing.  (Note:  As far as we understand, this sub- 
committee replaces the "Joint Task Force" announced at 
the first round of talks.  Mission had previously heard 
that V. Balakumaran would be the lead LTTE 
representative on this joint body, but Thamilchelvam got 
the nod.  The two sides also reportedly discussed the 
idea of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and LTTE 
negotiator Anton Balasingham meeting on the margins of 
the Oslo conference.  This would be the highest-level 
GSL-LTTE contact in years if it took place.  End Note.) 
 
- (ii) "De-escalation and Normalization" Sub-Committee: 
This sub-committee will focus on "facilitating the 
resettlement of internally displaced persons" and easing 
the burden on local communities of the GSL military's 
"high security zones."  The chief government 
representative on this sub-committee will be Defense 
Secretary Austin Fernando and the chief LTTE 
 
SIPDIS 
representative will be V. Karuna, the LTTE military 
commander in the east. (Note:  Again, as far as we 
understand, this sub-committee replaces the "Joint 
Committee" focused on "high security zones" announced at 
the first round of talks.) 
 
- (iii) Sub-Committee on "Political Matters":  This sub- 
committee will examine "complex political 
matters...including constitutional, legal, political, 
and administrative issues."  G.L. Peiris, a senior 
minister, will be the chief GSL representative on the 
sub-committee, while the chief LTTE representative will 
be Anton Balasingham, the group's spokesman.  Muslim 
leader Rauf Hakeem will also serve on this sub- 
committee. 
 
-- The two sides agreed to the following schedule of 
future talks: 
 
- December 2-5 in Oslo 
- January 6-9, 2003 
- February 7-10, 2003 
- March 18-21, 2003 
(Note:  The December and January timeframes had 
previously been agreed to at the first session of talks 
in September.  The February and March timeframes are 
new.) 
 
--------------------------------- 
Positive Tone at Press Conference 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Aside from the constructive results 
encapsulated in the Norwegian statement reviewed above, 
the press conference held at the end of the talks on 
November 3 also set a positive tone.  Noteworthy 
comments included: 
 
-- LTTE senior negotiator Balasingham stated:  "It is 
the ultimate aim of the LTTE to finally enter into the 
democratic political mainstream.  Since we are committed 
to enter the political mainstream, which is of course a 
democratic political mainstream, we have to accept and 
assimilate other political groups and to allow them free 
exercise in the electoral processes.  So, we will allow 
other political parties and groups to participate in the 
north and east." 
 
-- Balasingham also stated, "We may or may not go for an 
interim administration.  What is important is a solution 
that would immediately address humanitarian issues." 
 
-- Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen 
stated, "The parties are now looking ahead toward peace 
and the prospects look good." 
 
-- Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Hakeem stated, "The 
spirit of consensus and compromise...was very much there 
and that was the most redeeming feature of the 
discussions."  Hakeem went on to note that the peace 
process was still at a very early stage. 
 
-- G.L. Peiris, head of the government's delegation, 
stated, "It is a fresh start.  (The two sides) have 
virtually agreed to everything.  We have made progress 
that no one thought possible.  We have tangible 
results." 
 
¶5.  (C) (((Note:  Despite the positive noises at the 
press conference, there were some discordant notes heard 
on the margins of the talks.  In what was no surprise, 
for example, LTTE participants in the talks 
categorically rejected a trial court's October 30 
decision convicting V. Prabhakaran, the group's leader, 
in absentia of involvement in a 1996 terrorist attack. 
Balasingham stated that the government should not "dig 
up the past."  Thamilchelvam warned that the LTTE could 
also charge GSL officials with human rights abuses if it 
wanted.  For its part, the government has already 
announced that the court ruling will have no impact on 
the peace process -- see Ref B.  In addition to 
complaints about the court ruling, the LTTE has also 
expressed concern about the GSL's arrest of six LTTE 
cadre who were on a boat off the eastern coast over the 
weekend.  The government asserts that the boat was 
carrying arms.  End Note.))) 
 
---------------------------------- 
Talks make Big Splash in Sri Lanka 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) The talks engendered a positive reaction in 
Sri Lanka.  The results of the talks were widely 
publicized on TV, radio, and in the newspapers.  Media 
reaction was very positive, with most editorials 
praising the talks.  Symbolizing the positive coverage, 
several papers published on their front-page color 
photos of beaming GSL and LTTE officials planting a tree 
commemorating the talks outside the Thai conference 
site.  (Note:  TamilNet, the pro-LTTE website, also 
carried these photos.)  Jehan Perera, the head of the 
National Peace Council, a well-known local think-tank, 
told us he was impressed by how well the two sides 
worked together.  He thought they had formed a real 
"partnership" focused on "getting on with the business 
of peace."  Rohan Ediresinha, an analyst at the Center 
for Policy Alternatives, another well-known think-tank, 
told us that he was "pleasantly surprised by how much 
progress was made at the talks."  He said the two 
delegations "seem to understand each other" and "seem to 
want to make the process work, which was not the case 
during past peace processes." 
 
¶7.  (C) (((Note:  President Kumaratunga's office has not 
yet issued a formal public reaction to the talks.  Harim 
Peiris, one of her press spokesmen, told us that the 
president's office would announce its stance after it 
receives an "official" briefing from the government. 
Mission has also tried to contact Tamil politicians, but 
they are involved in the celebrations surrounding 
Diwali, a Hindu festival, which is taking place on 
November 4.))) 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Based on the positive vibrations emanating from 
the talks, both sides seem to be buying into the peace 
process now more than ever.  Anton Balasingham, in 
particular, seems to want to be perceived as being as 
accommodating as can be.  For the GSL, the results of 
the talks were very encouraging, especially as its peace 
initiative was coming under some criticism of late.  The 
LTTE's apparent dedication to the peace track is a big 
help to the government in quelling concerns in the 
south.  At this point, the two sides seem to have formed 
a symbiotic relationship with the aim of strengthening 
the peace process.  While our assessment of the 
situation is not quite as effusive as that of some of 
the press coverage, we are becoming more confident about 
the shelf life of the peace process.  It would seem 
difficult for either side to jettison all that has been 
gained in favor of a return to conflict.  Despite 
Balasingham's reassuring words, however, it is still 
extremely difficult to read the LTTE's long-term 
intentions. 
¶9.  (C) (Note:  Mission will wait to speak to Norwegian 
Ambassador Westborg before assessing what role the sub- 
committee on humanitarian issues gives the LTTE in the 
distribution of assistance to the north and east.  Some 
of the press coverage indicates that the LTTE 
essentially agreed to allow the GSL authority over this 
sub-committee.  The language setting up the sub- 
committee is somewhat vague and needs further 
explanation, however.)  END COMMENT. 
 
------------------------- 
Suggested Press Statement 
------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (U) Mission plans to issue the following press 
statement on November 5: 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
The U.S. has carefully reviewed the statement issued by 
the Norwegian government outlining the results of the 
second session of negotiations held between the Sri 
Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil 
Eelam (LTTE) in Thailand from October 31 - November 3. 
We praise the commitment of both sides to sustain the 
ceasefire and move forward with the peace process.  It 
is positive that the two sides have agreed to an 
expanded schedule of meetings in the coming months. 
The U.S. also welcomes the decision of both sides to 
form sub-committees focused on humanitarian, de- 
escalation, and political issues. 
 
The U.S. looks forward to participating in the 
November 25 conference in Oslo, which is focused on 
improving the humanitarian and developmental situation 
in the north and east.  The U.S. is committed to 
continuing its support of these vital objectives through 
projects yielding an immediate impact.  We note, for 
example, that the Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) 
recently completed its highly successful efforts in 
Jaffna.  The U.S. is also working with the Sri Lankan 
government on establishing a humanitarian mine clearance 
training program for civilians and military personnel 
that is scheduled to begin operations in early 2003. 
 
We hope that the negotiating process will lead to a 
permanent end to the conflict based on the principles of 
democracy and respect for human rights, while 
maintaining Sri Lanka's territorial integrity.  We are 
very encouraged by the efforts of the two sides to 
resolve the conflict, thus far, and remain convinced 
that conditions are favorable for a desirable outcome 
now more than ever.  We again salute the Norwegian 
government's able facilitation of the talks and the Thai 
government for hosting them. 
 
END TEXT. 
 
------------------------------------ 
GoN Statement issued at End of Talks 
------------------------------------ 
¶11.  (U) The text of the Norwegian government statement 
issued at the end of the talks follows: 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
November 3, 2002 
 
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation 
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted the second 
session of the Sri Lanka Peace Talks at the Rose Garden 
in Thailand from 31 October to 3 November 2002. 
 
The parties demonstrated a positive, pragmatic and 
conciliatory approach in discussing a wide range of 
issues, including present challenges as well as matters 
relating to long-term solutions. The parties thereby 
continued the dual approach of moving step by step 
towards a lasting political settlement, while remaining 
fully focused on the ground situation. The parties 
reconfirmed their strong commitment to the Ceasefire 
Agreement and their support for the Sri Lanka Monitoring 
Mission. 
 
Against the backdrop of recent tensions among the ethnic 
communities in the east, the parties agreed on immediate 
measures to improve the security situation, inter-ethnic 
co-operation and respect for human rights in the north 
and east. Acknowledging that peace belongs to all 
peoples of Sri Lanka, the parties are committed to 
accommodate the needs and aspirations of all three 
communities in the east; Tamils, Muslims, and Sinhalese. 
The agreed measures are outlined in a separate statement 
issued by the Royal Norwegian Government on 1 November 
¶2002. 
 
In their determination to move the peace process 
forward, the parties reiterated that the process will be 
a long and demanding one. Throughout the process, the 
parties will continuously monitor the ground situation, 
thus enabling necessary action to be taken at all stages 
to ensure further progress. 
 
In the quest for a final settlement, a broad range of 
issues must be addressed with considerable attention to 
detail. For this purpose, the parties agreed on 
establishing, whenever needed, sub-committees to act on 
specific matters under the auspices of the negotiation 
teams. The sub-committees will be continually active and 
report at the sessions of the talks, in order to 
accelerate progress and give in-depth attention to 
issues. 
 
Following the agreement at the first session of talks to 
set up a joint task force, the parties agreed to 
establish this in the form of a Sub-Committee on 
Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the 
North and East. The role of the Sub-Committee will be to 
 
- Identify humanitarian and rehabilitation needs 
- Prioritize implementation of activities to meet these 
needs 
- Decide on the allocation of the financial resources 
for such activities 
- Determine implementing agencies for each of the 
activities. 
 
The Sub-Committee will ensure the involvement of all 
ethnic communities so that their needs and aspirations 
are considered, and it will give priority to the 
mobilization of local labor and local institutions in 
the implementation of activities. The activities 
initiated by the Sub-Committee will be financed by a 
fund, which will be set up in accordance with 
arrangements to be agreed upon with donor governments. 
The Sub-Committee will consist of four members selected 
by the LTTE and four by the GOSL. Two members of the 
respective negotiating teams, Mr. Tamilselvan of the 
LTTE and Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke of the GOSL, will be 
leading members of the Sub-Committee. Other GOSL 
representatives will include Mr. M.D.D. Peiris, Mr. 
M.I.M. Rafeek, and an additional member of the Muslim 
community. Other LTTE representatives will include Mr. 
Jay Maheswaran. The Sub-Committee will be assisted by a 
secretariat to be located in the Government Agent's 
 
SIPDIS 
Office in Killinochchi. Meetings of the Sub-Committee 
will be held in Killinochchi, Colombo, Batticaloa, and 
Kalmunai at the discretion of the committee. 
 
As its first task the Sub-Committee will assist the 
Royal Norwegian Government in preparing for a political- 
level meeting of key governments to take place in Oslo, 
Norway on 25 November 2002. As the first ever of its 
kind, the meeting will demonstrate the unprecedented 
level of international support to Sri Lanka and to the 
parties in their present peace efforts. The meeting will 
aim at mobilizing financial support for immediate 
humanitarian and rehabilitation action in three priority 
areas agreed by the parties: 
 
- Resettling and rehabilitating Internally Displaced 
Persons 
- Rehabilitating war-affected women and children 
- Providing livelihoods for war-affected people in the 
North and East. 
 
The international community will further be encouraged 
to increase investment in Sri Lanka and respond 
positively to new challenges in the south resulting from 
the peace process. 
 
In line with the overall objective of facilitating the 
resettlement of internally displaced persons, the 
parties acted on the decision made at the first session 
of peace talks to address matters relating to high 
security zones and other areas made inaccessible to the 
public. To this end, a Sub-Committee on De-Escalation 
and Normalization was set up as a mechanism for a 
structured dialogue between the parties. While 
accommodating the security concerns of each party, the 
Sub-Committee will examine ways and means to ensure 
resettlement, the return of private property and the 
resumption of economic activities in these areas. This 
Sub-Committee will include high-level civilian and 
military personnel on both sides, including Mr. Austin 
Fernando of the Ministry of Defense and Mr. Karuna of 
the LTTE. 
 
As another issue relating to the restoration of 
normalcy, the status of Tamil prisoners held under the 
Prevention of Terrorism Act was discussed. 
 
The parties remain committed to building peace on the 
ground through practical steps to improve security and 
opportunity in people's daily lives. At the same time, 
the parties acknowledged that the peace talks must 
address a series of complex political questions in order 
to reach a negotiated solution to the ethnic conflict, 
including constitutional, legal, political and 
administrative issues. Following discussions, the 
parties agreed to establish a Sub-Committee to commence 
work in connection with relevant political matters. The 
parties agreed that access to expertise on political 
matters will be important in order for them to enter 
into negotiations on issues central to the peace 
process. The parties will jointly and separately address 
in depth, at the current stage of the peace process, 
relevant subjects such as other peace processes, 
political solutions to ethnic conflicts, models and 
systems of government, issues of post-conflict 
transition, co-ordination of international assistance, 
and reconciliation processes. To this end, the parties 
will interact with relevant experts and practitioners in 
these fields, as a basis for the formulation of 
approaches to the critical political issues for 
consideration in the future sessions of the peace talks. 
 
The Sub-Committee on Political Matters will be chaired 
by the heads of delegations to the peace talks, Mr. 
Anton Balasingham and Mr. G.L. Peiris. Other government 
representatives will include Mr. Rauf Hakeem, leader of 
the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. 
The third session of talks will take place on 2&5 
December 2002 in Oslo, Norway.  The following sessions 
will be held on 6&9 January 2003, 7&10 February 2003, 
and 18&21 March 2003. 
 
END TEXT. 
 
---------------------------------- 
GoN Statement re Situation in East 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (U) The text of the Norwegian government statement 
focusing on the situation in the east follows: 
 
BEGIN TEXT: 
 
November 1, 2002 
 
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation 
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) initiated the second 
session of the peace talks in Thailand with an 
evaluation of the implementation of the Ceasefire 
Agreement over the past eight months. In their 
determination to consolidate the ceasefire and advance 
the peace process, the parties agreed to a set of 
measures to improve the security situation, inter-ethnic 
cooperation and respect for human rights in the North 
and Eastern Provinces. 
 
In this context, the parties emphasized in particular 
their commitment to accommodate the needs and 
aspirations of all three communities in the east - 
Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese. The parties set out 
specific measures to improve relations between the 
Muslim and Tamil communities. 
 
The parties agreed to continuously monitor the 
implementation of each of the agreed measures and to 
report on progress at future sessions of the peace 
talks. 
 
In light of the principal challenges in implementing the 
Ceasefire Agreement at this stage, the parties agreed to 
reconstitute the SLMM Local Monitoring Committees, 
established in accordance with paragraph 3.7 of the 
Ceasefire Agreement. To this end, the parties agreed to 
replace a number of their appointees to the Committees 
with senior representatives from both sides. 
 
The parties are pleased to note that the SLMM has 
established Points of Contact (POCs) in the north and 
east as sub-offices of the SLMM district offices, in 
order to improve access to SLMM for local communities. 
The parties agreed to request the SLMM to consider 
establishing additional sub-offices, particularly in 
Batticaloa and Ampara districts. 
 
The parties agreed to establish direct communications 
between the commanders of the LTTE and the GOSL Special 
Task Force in the east, in order to improve the security 
situation. 
The parties agreed to establish a process of regular 
consultations between LTTE leaders and Muslim political 
leaders. 
 
Mr. Hakeem and Mr. Karuna agreed to work together in the 
east to meet with local communities and address their 
specific concerns and aspirations, including matters 
relating to the occupation and cultivation of land. They 
will work in accordance with the Memorandum of 
Understanding reached between the leader of the LTTE, 
Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, and the leader of the Sri 
Lanka Muslim Congress, Mr. Rauf Hakeem, on 13 April 
¶2002. The parties further agreed to remove any 
impediments to the pursuit of traditional economic 
activities of the Tamil and Muslim communities, such as 
fishing, farming and trading. 
 
The parties took special note of the need to address 
fully and cater for the interests and concerns of the 
Sinhala community in the Eastern Province, in the 
context of the ongoing peace negotiations. 
 
The parties agreed to establish peace committees at the 
community level in order to facilitate the resolution of 
local problems, contribute to inter-ethnic communication 
and reconciliation, and promote respect for human 
rights. The committees may include local community 
leaders, such as religious, political, business and 
civil society leaders. The committees will include local 
LTTE and GOSL leaders. 
 
END TEXT. 
 
¶13.  (U) Minimize considered. 
 
WILLS