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C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000613 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SCA/INS (GOWER) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM CE NO
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA CO-CHAIRS MEETING IN OSLO 
 
 
Classified By: Mike Hammer, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
The following Oslo cable sent May 3, 2006 to the following 
addressees: 
 
Secstate, Bangkok, Berlin, Canberra, Jakarta, London, 
New Delhi, Ottawa, Paris, Phnom Penh, Tokyo, USEU Brussels 
and USMission Geneva has been resent for your information. 
 
QUOTE 
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000551 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INS (GOWER) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016 
TAGS: PTER PGOV PHUM CE NO
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA CO-CHAIRS MEETING IN OSLO 
 
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Mike Hammer, 
               reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1. (C)  Summary.  Representatives of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs 
(Norway, Japan, the EU, and the U.S.) met in Oslo on 
April 28 in an emergency session to discuss the deteriorating 
situation in Sri Lanka and plan for a follow-on meeting in 
Tokyo.  Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian 
Affairs Richard A. Boucher, head of the U.S. delegation, 
pressed for expanded international cooperation, outside the 
Co-Chairs group, to cut off financing and arms supplies to 
the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).  U.S. goals for 
the meeting were to push for new solutions to pressure the 
Tigers and deliver the message that changing their behaviors 
will lead to political acceptance.  The U.S. team also 
initiated discussion on how to make it clear to the 
Government of Sri Lanka that it must address Tamil grievances 
and find a long-term solution to the conflict.  End summary. 
 
---------------------------- 
Briefings and Proposals 
---------------------------- 
 
¶2. (C)  Norwegian Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer briefed on 
the situation on the ground, emphasizing both sides have 
breached the ceasefire and that the Sri Lanka Monitoring 
Mission will present a full report at the next round of talks 
in Geneva.  He said during his last discussions with 
government and Tiger negotiators on April 27, both sides 
indicated they were still committed to the ceasefire and to 
going to Geneva.  He characterized a second round of talks as 
likely to be limited in scope, adding Tiger negotiators will 
want to focus on the ceasefire agreement and the 
government's commitments made at the first round of talks. 
 
¶3. (C)  The Special Envoy indicated discussions on 
arrangements for LTTE consultative meetings leading up to 
Geneva were underway.  He emphasized a standard procedure 
must be established for transporting LTTE cadres for 
consultations for future meetings in order to prevent the 
delays that have plagued this second round of talks. 
 
¶4. (C)  Minister of International Development Erik Solheim 
cautioned that the Sri Lankan government has "promised a lot 
but has not kept its promises" in its dealings with the 
LTTE.  As an example, he noted the government has not 
delivered on Karuna, as they committed to do in the first 
round of Geneva talks.  In contrast, Solheim said the LTTE 
and in particular Prabhakaran, are "brutal and don't value 
human life but keep their promises."  Participants agreed 
the best possible outcome for a second round of talks would 
be a commitment from both sides to additional talks to reach 
a long-term solution. 
 
¶5. (C)  Ambassador Lunstead presented the U.S. proposal that 
the international community do more to cut off LTTE funding 
and weapons procurement.  He proposed countries with large 
Tamil diaspora communities, such as the U.S., Canada, 
Australia, the UK, France, Switzerland, and Germany, share 
information and possibly conduct joint operations to cut back 
on Tiger financing. A similar group to take action on Tiger 
arms procurement would focus on southeast Asian countries, 
including Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia, where the Tiger 
network operates. 
 
¶6. (C)  The other Co-Chairs, especially Norway and Japan, 
responded positively to this suggestion but made it clear the 
Co-Chairs group lacks the mandate for such activities and 
therefore any action must be taken by a new group of 
interested countries.   Assistant Secretary Boucher committed 
to discussing the issue with the Canadians.  Ambassador 
Lunstead suggested the Co-Chairs endorse the new group. 
Participants agreed to discuss the proposal in greater detail 
in Tokyo. 
 
¶7. (C)  Assistant Secretary Boucher pushed for expanded 
participation by interested countries at the Co-Chairs 
meeting in Tokyo and suggested inviting the Canadians.  The 
EU noted the December Co-Chairs meeting in Brussels reached 
consensus not to expand Co-Chairs membership, but did want to 
increase cooperation with interested countries.  The group 
agreed to invite Canada, India, and possibly other interested 
countries to a separate meeting (or meetings) in Tokyo. 
 
¶8. (C)  Assistant Secretary Boucher pressed EU and Norwegian 
participants on the LTTE listing issue.  The EU stressed 
consultations between EU member states on this issue "will 
take time."  Solheim requested the issue be discussed 
outside the Co-Chairs mechanism.  He said Norway's unique 
position as facilitator to the peace process made it 
difficult to consider listing. 
 
¶9. (C)  The EU suggested Karuna leadership be included in 
discussions, if only to use as leverage in negotiations with 
the LTTE.  The other Co-Chairs did not support this proposal. 
 
----------------------------- 
Coordination With India 
----------------------------- 
 
10.(C)  The Co-Chairs met with the Indian Ambassador to 
Norway at a separate meeting after the formal Co-Chairs 
meeting ended. Making it clear he was drawing from 
"instructions," the Indian representative outlined his 
government's position on the peace process in Sri Lanka.  He 
reiterated Indian support for Norwegian facilitation; 
stressed both parties should "commence dialogue" as soon as 
possible; noted the Indian government had advised the 
government of Sri Lanka to exercise restraint, adding 
President Rajapaksa had reassured the Indian High 
Commissioner that there would be no further escalation of 
violence on the part of the government; and urged the 
Co-Chairs to send a strong message to the LTTE that "they 
cannot bomb their way into the talks."  He cautioned that if 
the Tigers accomplished their objectives by an outbreak of 
violence following a long stalemate, such tactics would 
eventually be accepted as a fait accompli. 
 
11.(C)  The Co-Chairs discussed their plans with the Indian 
representative to rethink their role in Sri Lanka and asked 
how India might use its "vital role" in South Asia to take 
on a new role in Sri Lanka as well.  Assistant Secretary 
Boucher stressed the Co-Chairs, priorities were to "keep 
the door open" to peace talks and push both parties to stop 
the violence.  He outlined the U.S. proposal for action 
outside the Co-Chairs, stressing "we look upon India as one 
country that can help."  Turning to the possibility of LTTE 
financing coming from Tamil Nadu, the Indian representative 
noted he "would not rule it out."  He said his government 
is "very concerned" about the situation in Sri Lanka and 
ties to India, suggesting the conflict is playing a role in 
upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu. 
 
12.(C)  Solheim committed to keeping the Indians informed of 
Tokyo arrangements and suggested they send a representative 
from New Delhi to the meeting. 
 
--------------------------- 
Preparations for Tokyo 
--------------------------- 
 
13.(C)  The Co-Chairs agreed to use the follow-on meeting in 
Tokyo, tentatively scheduled for May 30 to allow Under 
Secretary Nick Burns to participate, to re-examine their role 
 
SIPDIS 
in Sri Lanka and develop new ways of doing things. 
 
14.(C)  Special Envoy Jon Hanssen-Bauer delegated seven 
papers that will form the basis of the May 30 meeting and 
volunteered Norway to serve as the clearinghouse to 
coordinate drafting.  The papers and their assigned drafter 
are as follows:  a review of the Tokyo Declaration (Japan); 
definitions of the basic needs of both parties to solve the 
conflict (Norway); a roadmap or timetable outlining possible 
scenarios (Norway); a review of assistance and premises for 
donor assistance (all); an overview of incentive systems, 
including what the Co-Chairs are doing now and new proposals 
(U.S.); a review of the Co-Chairs mandate and role (EU); and 
a review of additional alliances and mechanisms to provide 
support to the peace process (U.S). 
 
--------------------- 
Press Conference 
-------------------- 
 
15.(C)  The four heads of delegation participated in a press 
conference, which Solheim led by characterizing the meeting 
as an "emergency" session and calling on both parties to 
"stop the violence and go back to negotiations."  He 
confirmed both parties continued to discuss the 
transportation issue to allow LTTE cadres to deliberate 
before deciding on whether to go to Geneva.  He also 
summarized Co-Chairs discussions, noting the day's most 
significant outcomes were agreement to meet again in Tokyo 
and preparations for a "plan for the peace process" to be 
finalized in Tokyo. 
 
------------ 
Statement 
------------ 
 
16.(C)  The Co-Chairs also released a statement, the text of 
which follows: 
 
The Co-Chairs of the Tokyo Donor Conference (the European 
Union and the Governments of Japan, the United States, and 
Norway) met in Oslo on 28 April for Consultations. 
 
The purpose of the meeting was to assess the serious 
situation in Sri Lanka and examine how Co-Chairs could most 
effectively respond to it. 
 
Co-Chairs reiterated their deep concern at the recent 
deterioration of the situation in Sri Lanka, condemning all 
acts of violence and calling on this to stop. 
 
The Co-Chairs from the EU, Japan and USA reaffirmed their 
support to the Norwegian peace facilitators. 
 
The Co-Chairs have decided to meet again in Tokyo to further 
discuss steps and concerted actions to encourage the parties 
to pursue a durable solution in Sri Lanka. End text. 
 
¶17. (U)  This message was cleared by A/S Boucher. 
Visit Oslo's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m 
 
WHITNEY 
UNQUOTE 
 
Visit Oslo's Classified website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m 
 
WHITNEY