VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0464/01 1270053
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 070053Z MAY 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6472
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0272
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2590
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000464 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF CE
SUBJECT: U/SYG HOLMES BRIEFS ON THE "HORROR" OF THE 
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SRI LANKA 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Security Council met on April 30 in an 
"informal interactive" format to consider the situation in 
Sri Lanka.  U/SYG Holmes briefed on his latest visit there, 
and Sri Lankan PR Palihakkara briefed on the government,s 
position.  Following the meeting, the Mexican Presidency 
briefed the press on the following themes: grave concern at 
the humanitarian situation, support to the UN,s efforts in 
Sri Lanka, condemnation of the LTTE,s actions, calling on 
the government to work with the UN on assisting civilians, 
and concern regarding allegations of violations of 
international humanitarian law.  Holmes gave his strongest 
statement yet to the Council: he said the "horror" of the 
situation in Sri Lanka is not provoking sufficient reaction 
by the government and the LTTE, and he hoped that any further 
violations of international humanitarian law would not go 
unpunished.  Ambassador Rice thanked Holmes for the UN's 
high-level attention to this issue, and strongly emphasized 
the deep concern of the U.S. to this "growing and extremely 
grave humanitarian crisis."  Continued controversy at the end 
of the session on the thrust of these press elements led both 
the UK and French Ambassadors to float the idea of referring 
Sri Lanka to the formal agenda of the Council.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) U/SYG Holmes reviewed his visit and said Sri Lanka 
currently was suffering from two crises: the crisis of the 
civilians still trapped in the conflict area and the crisis 
of the approximately 175,000 internally displaced civilians 
heading to or currently in camps.  Regarding those trapped in 
the conflict area, Holmes said their "daily reality is beyond 
what any human being can or should bear."  He noted 
furthermore that the 175,000 IDPs were an "exhausted and 
traumatized" population.  Holmes asked that the Security 
Council speak with one voice and send an unambiguous signal 
to all parties that international human rights law should be 
fully respected and that further violation of this law would 
not go unpunished.  He expressed deep disappointment that the 
government refused access to a UN humanitarian team, and 
pointedly said that despite assurances, the government 
continued to use heavy weaponry. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Sri Lankan PR Palihakkara told the Council that 
Holmes, concerns "are shared concerns."  He did not refute 
Holmes, statements, although he said the Sri Lankan 
government did not allow the UN team in because of security 
concerns, not because of policy concerns.  He said the 
government,s top priority was to make the LTTE respond to 
demands to surrender.  Palihakkara assured Council members 
that the government has no plans to use heavy weaponry, and 
has no plans to launch a large military operation. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Led by UK, the U.S. and France, the majority of the 
Council expressed deep concern regarding the situation and 
demanded that both sides uphold international humanitarian 
law.  UK PR Sawers said the government of Sri Lanka "needs to 
take on board" the concerns of the international community, 
and noted the allegations of violations of international 
humanitarian law.  France said the government "did not stand 
by its word" to refrain from using heavy weaponry, and 
underscored the government,s obligation to respect 
international humanitarian law.  Ambassador Rice thanked 
Holmes for the UN's high-level attention to this issue, and 
directly addressed the Sri Lankan PR in emphasizing the deep 
concern of the U.S. to this "growing and extremely grave 
humanitarian crisis."  She urged the government of Sri Lanka 
to reverse its decision not to allow a UN humanitarian team 
into the conflict zone, and pointedly emphasized "in the face 
of this worsening crisis" that both the LTTE and the Sri 
Lankan government have responsibilities to meet, as do all 
Council members. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Supporting the P3 position were Uganda, Croatia, 
Austria, Costa Rica and Mexico.  Libya, Japan and Turkey also 
expressed similar worries, although they asked that the press 
elements prioritize the calls to the LTTE.  Russia, China and 
Vietnam supported the government and condemned the LTTE, and 
voiced no displeasure at any action by the government.  China 
said it "commended the government for its efforts to protect 
civilians."  After warnings by the UK and France that an 
inability by the Council to agree on press elements would 
force them to consider more formal actions - e.g. placing Sri 
Lanka on the agenda of the Security Council - China and 
Vietnam broadly accepted the UK-drafted elements.  In 
contrast to its previous, less emotional role, Russia 
continued to press a hard line, and insisted that there be no 
mention of support for the UN humanitarian team to enter the 
conflict zone.  Council members finally agreed on the 
following themes: grave concern at the humanitarian 
situation, support to the UN,s efforts in Sri Lanka, 
 
condemnation of the LTTE,s actions, calling on the 
government to work with the UN on assisting civilians, and 
concern regarding allegations of violations of international 
humanitarian law. 
Rice