

Currently released so far... 6230 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AF
AE
AR
AORC
AJ
AU
AM
ABLD
AL
AMGT
ASUP
AFIN
APER
ABUD
AVERY
APCS
AEMR
ADCO
APECO
ASIG
AG
AA
AS
AFFAIRS
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AMED
AO
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ATRN
AID
AC
AGMT
CH
CO
CS
CE
CU
CLINTON
CG
CVIS
CMGT
CI
CJAN
CF
COM
CASC
CA
CBW
CM
CDG
CR
COUNTER
CD
CWC
CKGR
CN
CPAS
CJUS
CV
CONS
CT
CY
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
ECON
EFIN
EAIR
EUN
EINV
ENRG
EG
ETRD
EPET
ETTC
ELAB
EU
ER
ET
EAGR
ECPS
ECIN
ELTN
EAID
EMIN
EWWT
EFIS
EIND
EC
ES
EN
EI
ENVR
ENGR
ENIV
EUNCH
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELN
EZ
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EINT
EUR
ECINECONCS
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EK
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IN
IC
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
IT
ICTY
IO
IA
IWC
ID
ICRC
ILC
INTELSAT
IMO
ISRAELI
IACI
ILO
ITRA
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
ICAO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
INTERPOL
IV
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KDEM
KCRM
KJUS
KTIA
KWBG
KPAL
KIPR
KTIP
KE
KNNP
KGHG
KICC
KV
KTFN
KU
KCFE
KDRG
KWMN
KSCA
KGIC
KCOR
KFRD
KPKO
KSUM
KPRP
KPAO
KBCT
KIRF
KCFC
KISL
KREC
KSPR
KHIV
KBIO
KMCA
KMPI
KFLU
KSTH
KBTR
KS
KOMC
KOMS
KSEP
KPRV
KFLO
KHLS
KN
KWWMN
KUNR
KLIG
KSTC
KZ
KG
KRAD
KOLY
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KAWK
KCIP
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KIDE
KSAF
KX
KWMNCS
KNEI
KCRS
KVPR
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KACT
KO
KFSC
KR
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MO
MX
MCAP
ML
MTCRE
MR
MP
MY
MU
MIL
MAR
MC
MRCRE
MTRE
MA
MEPI
MV
MPOS
MD
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OREP
OVIP
OFDP
ODIP
OPDC
OAS
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPRC
OVP
OSCI
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PREF
PTER
PARM
PBTS
PINR
PINS
PHSA
PK
POL
PM
PINT
PE
PINF
PEL
PA
PARMS
PO
PLN
PROP
PALESTINIAN
PAO
PL
POV
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
SENV
SY
SZ
SOCI
SO
SR
SNAR
SA
SP
SW
SMIG
SU
SCUL
SC
SAN
SN
SL
SG
SYR
SEVN
SF
SI
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TRGY
TU
TBIO
TH
TS
TSPL
TT
TPHY
TSPA
TI
TK
TIP
TERRORISM
TZ
TX
TW
TD
TP
TC
TO
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TURKEY
UK
UNGA
UN
UNHRC
UNMIK
UNO
UZ
UNSC
UP
UG
UNHCR
UNDC
US
UNAUS
USTR
UV
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UAE
USEU
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09COLOMBO106, INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER STRESSES
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09COLOMBO106.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09COLOMBO106 | 2009-01-29 12:12 | 2011-03-17 01:01 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Colombo |
Appears in these articles: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article1544202.ece |
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLM #0106/01 0291227
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 291227Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9274
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2588
INFO RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 4630
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3736
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 3160
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0887
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000106
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PREF PHUM IN CE
SUBJECT: INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER STRESSES
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS TO SRI LANKAN LEADERSHIP
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr. for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) Summary: In a briefing on the January 27 visit to Sri Lanka of External Affairs Minister Mukherjee, Indian Deputy High Commissioner stressed that Mukherjee registered deep concern over the current humanitarian crisis in the Vanni, where Tamil civilians are caught in the crossfire between military forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He insisted that the military ensure that medical supplies reach the safe zone, that exit routes for civilians be clearly marked and communicated, and that every effort be taken to avoid civilian casualties. President Rajapaksa was receptive to these humanitarian concerns. The short notice on which this visit was organized and the fact that it came on the heels of the January 16-17 visit for Indian Foreign Secretary Menon sent a clear signal to Colombo of the Indian government's deep concern, domestic political considerations notwithstanding, over the perilous situation for civilians in the Vanni. End summary.
------------------------------------------
Lightning Visit Organized on Short Notice
------------------------------------------
¶2. (C) Indian Deputy High Commissioner Vikram Misri briefed DCM and other diplomatic colleagues on the January 27 visit to Colombo of External Affairs Minister Mukherjee. The visit was organized on short notice, with the Indian High Commission only learning of it 24 hours in advance. Mukherjee arrived at 2030, met with senior GSL officials, briefed the press, and departed after less than five hours on the ground. Sri Lankan participants in the two-hour meeting at the President's residence were President Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona, Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, the Chief of Defense Staff, the service chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police.
--------------------------------------------- -------------
Concern Over Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation Foremost
--------------------------------------------- -------------
¶3. (C) Army Commander Fonseka briefed on the progress of the war since 2006, but his presentation soon gave way to a frank discussion that focused heavily on the humanitarian situation in the Vanni. Mukherjee stressed that he had come to Colombo with no objective other than to ensure that the human rights and safety of civilians were protected. Mukherjee emphasized four points related to the humanitarian situation: - The current ""safe zone"" is not functioning as a safe zone; - The military must create a humanitarian corridor and ensure that medical supplies reach the safe zone and the hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) remain open; - Exit routes for civilians who want to come out of the Vanni should be clearly marked and communicated; and - Every effort must be made to avoid human casualties.
¶4. (C) The President was receptive to these humanitarian concerns. He acknowledged that the army is shelling LTTE gun positions in the northeastern portion of the safe zone, but claimed that no civilians are permitted in this area. He flatly denied the claim that 300 civilians had been killed in recent days. Minister Samarasinghe said he had spoken with Dr. T. Varatharajah, the Regional Director of Medical Services in Mullaitivu, who allegedly issued a written statement making this claim. Samarasinghe said the doctor insisted he had issued no such statement and had neither a fax nor email, both of which are listed on the bottom of the statement. (Comment: While the statement itself may possibly have been disinformation, UN officials on the ground have stated that there have been numerous civilian casualties (approximately 50 deaths and more injuries per day) during the last week. They acknowledge that some of the dead may be LTTE cadres, but indicate that most are civilians. End comment.)
---------------------------------------
President Says APRC Process Nearly Over
---------------------------------------
¶5. (C) On the political front, President Rajapaksa said he supports a 13th Amendment-plus approach, but did not specify what the ""plus"" would entail. According to Misri, the President indicated that the APRC process in its current form is nearly at an end and that he plans to tell APRC Chairman Tissa Vitharana what he wants in the proposal and instruct him to issue such a proposal.
--------------------------------------------- ----------
Beyond Domestic Political Calculations, Serious Concern
--------------------------------------------- ----------
¶6. (C) When asked by DCM the degree to which domestic political considerations were behind Mukherjee's visit, Misri acknowledged that these were a factor but stressed that New Delhi is deeply worried about the humanitarian crisis in the Vanni. He added that Indians throughout the country, not just in Tamil Nadu, are troubled by the high level of causualties sustained by Tamil civilians caught in the crossfire.
---------------
Press Statement
---------------
¶7. (U) Before departing the country, Mukherjee made the following statement to the press. Begin text: I had detailed, useful and productive discussions with H.E. President Rajapaksa and am pleased with the comprehensive briefing by the Sri Lankan side. We covered recent developments in Sri Lanka, the entire gamut of India-Sri Lanka relations and regional issues of mutual interest. India-Sri Lanka relations are developing strongly. It is particularly important at this time of transition and change that we should continue to strengthen our ties. The President mentioned his hopes for future developments in Sri Lanka. I stressed that military victories offer a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka, after twenty three years of conflict. The President assured me that this was his intent. We will work together with the Government of Sri Lanka to enable all Sri Lankans, and particularly the Tamil community who have borne the brunt of the effects of the conflict, to lead normal lives as soon as possible. For our part, I expressed our readiness to participate in the reconstruction of northern Sri Lanka so as to overcome the ravages of war and also to lay the economic and political foundations of a strong peace in which all communities feel comfortable. We will be working together on a reconstruction plan for these areas which will involve infrastructure and other support. I was happy to be informed of progress towards the establishment of a 500 MW thermal power project near Trincomalee by NTPC from India. H.E. President Rajapaksa assured me that it was his intention to move as quickly as possible to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, which, you would recall, followed the Indian-Sri Lanka agreement of 1987. In fact, he would explore the possibility of going further and improving upon those devolution proposals. We also reviewed the humanitarian situation as a result of the conflict. The Sri Lankan Government has reassured that they would respect the safe zones and minimize the effects of conflict on Tamil Civilians. As you know, India has extended its relief supplies to civilians caught up in the zone of conflict and intends to continue doing so. After our conversation H.E. President Rajapaksa was good enough to extend a personal invitation to an all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu led by Chief Minister Karunanidhi and Ms. Jayalalitha to see for themselves the situation on the ground and to persuade the LTTE to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream. (Note: It is not clear that this invitation extended to the Vanni; we imagine this would be unlikely. End note.) An early restoration of normal democratic life in the areas affected by the conflict would be a major contribution to peace and stability. India will do all that it can bring this about, working with all those who work for this goal with us. End text
-------
Comment
-------
¶8. (C) The short notice on which Mukherjee's trip was organized and the fact that it came little more than ten days after the visit of Foreign Secretary Menon clearly signaled to the Sri Lankan governnment the seriousness with which New Delhi views the current humanitarian situation in the Vanni. Despite the diplomatic niceties of Mukherjee's press statement, the Indian High Commission's readout of the visit indicated that it was all about the need for better protection for Tamil civilians.
Blake