VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0646 1221428
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021428Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5969
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0929
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 7645

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000646 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS, CA, SCA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF PREL AORC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING:  APRIL 29 ATTACK ON PETROLEUM 
FACILITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR FUTURE LTTE AIR ATTACKS 
 
REF: A. COLOMGO 637 
     ¶B. COLOMBO 636 
 
 ¶1.  (SBU) On May 2, 2007, Charge chaired a meeting of the 
Colombo Emergency Action Committee.  Representatives from 
RSO, Consular, Management, Political, Econ, Public Diplomacy, 
IPC, USAID, DAO, ODC, IBB, and CSI attended.  The EAC was 
convened to discuss the April 29 attack by LTTE light 
aircraft on two Colombo petroleum facilities (reftels) and 
measures to be taken in the event of future air attacks by 
the LTTE attacks. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The AC first addressed procedures to be followed 
at he Chancery and the American Center.  The military 
ordered power to be cut in the greater Colombo ara for 
approximately one hour during the April 29air attacks to 
reduce visibility for the LTTE aicraft.  While to date no 
written request has bee received from the Government of Sri 
Lanka (GSL) Sri Lankan army personnel asked the local guard 
orce to turn off the Embassy generator on April 29during 
the blackout.  We did not comply with thi verbal request. 
(Note: In response to previous TTE air attacks, the GSL has 
directed high-rise otels and office buildings to refrain 
from using heir generators.)  The EAC determined that due to 
the need to maintain communications and security systems, the 
Embassy would not cut its generator in the event of a future 
air attack.  We are, however, reviewing the feasibility of 
turning off some, although not all, exterior lights in the 
event of a blackout triggered by another air strike.  In 
addition, a Mana 
gement Notice will advise employees to turn off office lights 
when leaving for the night, leaving only the corridor lights 
on during the night time hours. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The EAC determined that similar procedures would be 
followed at residences of Mission personnel.  Generators 
would not be turned off, but interior lights would be reduced 
to the extent possible.  We are reviewing the possibility of 
turning off some exterior lights at residences in the event 
of a power blackout triggered by an air strike. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The EAC discussed new security measures in the area 
of communications and general safety procedures during an 
aerial attack.  Specifically, EAC decided new Security 
Notices would go out to all employees recommending that 
emergency radios be carried at night.  Post One will send a 
message by the emergency radio network advising personnel 
whether a blackout is due to "normal" power supply 
fluctuations or the result of an air attack.  The Security 
Notices will also advise staff in the event of an air attack 
to reduce illumination and move to lower level of residences 
near structural support, and if away from their residences to 
take appropriate cover.  These measures were agreed upon to 
limit injury from falling anti-aircraft fire or debris of a 
wreckage should the LTTE planes be successfully targeted and 
destroyed.  (Note: Several persons in Colombo were injured on 
April 29 by falling anti-aircraft fire.)  Similar language 
will be issued in the form of a Warden Message for AMCITS in 
country. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) The EAC discussed moves by several air carriers to 
suspend service or reduce flights to Colombo.  Cathay Pacific 
and Emirates airlines have both suspended operations, while 
Singapore Airlines has stated it will go to daytime flights 
only. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) RSO will discuss these measures with other foreign 
missions in Colombo and with U.S. businesses and U.S 
contractors in country.  Several other missions in the 
immediate vicinity of the U.S. Mission have received similar 
verbal requests from the military to refrain from the use of 
generators. 
MOORE