VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0424 1132225
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 232225Z APR 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6404
INFO RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0271
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2572

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000424 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF CE
SUBJECT: VIJAY NAMBIAR BRIEFS THE COUNCIL ON SRI LANKA 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: On April 22, the Security Council met in an 
"informal interactive discussion" format to discuss the 
humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka.  The Secretary-General,s 
chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar, briefed on his recent visit to 
Sri Lanka.  The Sri Lankan Ambassador also briefed on behalf 
of his government.  Following conclusion of the meeting, 
Council members agreed unanimously for the Mexican President 
of the Council to brief the press on the following points: 
strong support for the efforts of the UN and the 
Secretary-General in Sri Lanka; condemning the LTTE and 
demanding that they lay down their arms; expressing deep 
concern about the humanitarian situation; urging all parties, 
including the government of Sri Lanka, to abide by their 
obligations under international humanitarian law; and urging 
further steps be taken to allow for the safe evacuation and 
treatment of IDPs.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Vijay Nambiar briefed the Council on his recent trip 
to Colombo.  He noted the government,s refusal to call for 
another humanitarian pause because the government says it 
would be exploited by the LTTE.  He also discussed the UN,s 
possible role in assisting the government, and said the 
government had committed to allowing a UN team into the 
conflict area, but said the modalities of that were still to 
be worked out.  Nambiar expressed disappointment that, 
despite assurances, the government of Sri Lanka did not 
"consistently or fully" implement measures to minimize risks 
to trapped civilians.  These civilians, said Nambiar, are in 
"extreme peril."  He stated that "both sides have failed in 
their responsibility to protect civilians."  Nambiar urged 
the Council to act together to address this issue.  He added 
that the government needed to look beyond the current 
situation to achieve long-term political reconciliation. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Palihakkara of Sri Lanka defended his 
government,s actions, and said the Defense Ministry told the 
government that it had not fired deliberately on civilians. 
Palihakkara also said the government had no plans for a 
large-scale movement by the military to enter the remaining 
safe zone.  He expressed openness for a UN role and said the 
government will pursue other options for an end to the 
fighting with the LTTE. 
 
¶4. (SBU) On substance, Council members largely shared the 
same views.  All countries called on both sides to uphold 
international humanitarian law, condemned the LTTE, and 
supported the role of the UN.  China, Russia and Vietnam were 
more muted than previously in their support of the government 
of Sri Lanka, and dropped their opposition voiced during the 
last interactive discussion to allowing the President of the 
Security Council to present a summary of the discussion to 
the press.  France, the United States and the United Kingdom 
pointedly underscored the responsibility of the Sri Lankan 
government to protect civilians.  Japan entered into a 
lengthy discussion supporting the decision of the government 
of Sri Lanka not to allow another humanitarian pause, and 
along with China, Russia and Vietnam, emphasized that the 
LTTE was wholly to blame for the situation. 
 
¶5. (SBU) At the conclusion of the meeting, Council members 
unanimously agreed that the Mexican President should brief 
the press on the meeting.  The Mexican Ambassador noted the 
following points: the Security Council expressed strong 
support for the efforts of the UN and the Secretary-General 
in Sri Lanka, condemning the LTTE and demanding that they lay 
down their arms, expressed deep concern about the 
humanitarian situation, urged all parties, including the 
government of Sri Lanka, to abide by their obligations under 
international humanitarian law and urged further steps be 
taken to allow for the safe evacuation and treatment of IDPs. 
Rice