By Colombo Telegraph –
“Several times during the discussions with Williamson, different MFA interlocutors stated that after the fall of Kilinochchi, the safety and security of GOSL soldiers became more important to the GOSL than measures to protect civilian life, and this resulted in various reckless practices, such as shelling villages to terrify and evacuate civilians. Another issue raised several times during the day was the U.S. citizenship or green card status of various GOSL leaders, and the Norwegians asked how pressure could be brought to bear on them through this avenue. Ambassador Williamson emphasized that this fell within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice, which does not comment on its investigations.” the US Embassy Oslo informed Washington.
A Leaked “CONFIDENTIAL” US diplomatic cable, dated August 24, 2009, recounts the details of a meeting the US ambassador to Oslo Clint Williamson has had with a variety of high level Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) officials. The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database which is written by acting Deputy Chief of Mission Cherrie Daniels.
Under the subheading “GOSL WAS WORRIED MORE ABOUT SOLDIERS THAN CIVILIANS” Cherrie Daniels wrote “After meeting with the NGOs, Ambassador Williamson met with Tore Hattrem, the current Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, the Norwegian Special Envoy for Sri Lanka, Wegger Strommen, Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S., Mr. Thomas Stangeland, MFA Deputy Director for Peace and Reconciliation Issues, and other MFA staff. Hattrem summarized the Norwegian view of the challenges to finding out about war crimes: that in all likelihood only 2-3 army officers knew about any given illegal action, that orders were given verbally, that government officials will not give evidence, and that the Tamils are afraid to give evidence. Strommen suggested that although Williamson cannot use information given by the ICRC directly, that information may be used as a cross-check against information gathered from other sources. Stangeland said that the Norwegian government was shocked by the extent to which, in the last stages of the conflict, the Sri Lankan army and government (a) said that its actions were proportionate, which turned out to be false, and (b) violated every guaranteed civilian “safe zone” that was supposedly put into place.”
Other stories related to this cable;
WikiLeaks: US – GON Talks On Sri Lanka’s War Crimes
WikiLeaks: LTTE’s Understanding Of International Affairs Was “Close To Zero” – Solheim
WikiLeaks: US State Department Collected Information From INGOs
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000533
SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2019 TAGS: PREL [External Political Relations], PHUM [Human Rights], SL [Sierra Leone], NO [Norway]
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WILLIAMSON MEETS WITH GON AND NGOS ON SRI LANKA
Classified By: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Cherrie Daniels for reaso ns 1.4(b) and (d)
GOSL WAS WORRIED MORE ABOUT SOLDIERS THAN CIVILIANS ——————————————— ——
¶8.(C) After meeting with the NGOs, Ambassador Williamson met with Tore Hattrem, the current Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, the Norwegian Special Envoy for Sri Lanka, Wegger Strommen, Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S., Mr. Thomas Stangeland, MFA Deputy Director for Peace and Reconciliation Issues, and other MFA staff. Hattrem summarized the Norwegian view of the challenges to finding out about war crimes: that in all likelihood only 2-3 army officers knew about any given illegal action, that orders were given verbally, that government officials will not give evidence, and that the Tamils are afraid to give evidence. Strommen suggested that although Williamson cannot use information given by the ICRC directly, that information may be used as a cross-check against information gathered from other sources. Stangeland said that the Norwegian government was shocked by the extent to which, in the last stages of the conflict, the Sri Lankan army and government (a) said that its actions were proportionate, which turned out to be false, and (b) violated every guaranteed civilian “safe zone” that was supposedly put into place.
¶9. (C) Several times during the discussions with Williamson, different MFA interlocutors stated that after the fall of Kilinochchi, the safety and security of GOSL soldiers became more important to the GOSL than measures to protect civilian life, and this resulted in various reckless practices, such as shelling villages to terrify and evacuate civilians. Another issue raised several times during the day was the U.S. citizenship or green card status of various GOSL leaders, and the Norwegians asked how pressure could be brought to bear on them through this avenue. Ambassador Williamson emphasized that this fell within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice, which does not comment on its investigations.
¶10.Ambassador Williamson has cleared this cable. HEG
Donald J Gnanakone / October 12, 2012
These were due to the efforts initiated by Tamils For Justice and it’s attorney who was instructed to get the US DOJ and DHS (Homeland) to commence investigations against US Citizens and Green Cardholders for HR violations, Disappearances, and later War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity..
Efforts and discussions began from the time Tamils For Justice was formed in late 2007, and continued. Need not emphasize the various agencies involved but even after 5 years US shows reluctance in sincerely pursuing their obligations and only litigation will force them to really take action.
So far No Tamil Organization has taken any legal action against any US citizen or resident… Bruce Fein has been working for Sritharan’s Tamils Against Genocide since late 2008, and moving in the wrong legal direction. President Rajapakse has immunity in US Courts and strangely Bruce Fein is fully aware of it… So does Rudrakumar an immigration attorney.
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Mango / October 13, 2012
Donald, thanks to Wikileaks, we know that pro-LTTE disapora groups wanted a huge Tamil civilian death toll.
“Ambassador [Blake] briefed the minister on the results of the meeting Asst Sec Boucher had hosted with American (SL Tamil) Diaspora representatives. He explained that the Diaspora had rejected U.S. calls for them to urge the release of civilians.“
Your group was formed in 2007. So what were you doing from 2007 to 2009 to prevent the LTTE’s fight to the bitter end using your ‘own precious people’s lives’ as bargaining chips?
Who’s Bruce Anna working for now? He was originally working for your group, right? Then he ran off with your money and now he’s working for TAG – or Is he a double agent working for GoSL, spending money donated by SL Tamils in the West? You’d have to have a heart of stone not to laugh, no?
Can’t you ageing zeros of Eelam all get together and act as one group? This sort of nonsense wouldn’t be tolerated if Prabha was still alive. He’d have you whipped into shape. Discipline has completely broken down because (I guess) everyone wants to be the new Sun Goat.
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gamini / October 13, 2012
Mango, between VP and MR, you admit that VP maintained discipline. To quote you, ‘This sort of nonsense wouldn’t be tolerated if Prabha was still alive. He’d have you whipped into shape. Discipline has completely broken down because (I guess) everyone wants to be the new Sun Goat’. You might contain that VP maintained discipline with killing people. Well for your information even MR has been doing the same, killing and assaulting people, yet MR cannot maintain any Discipline. So you have to accept whether you may like it or not, that VP is a better and smart leader than the croocked MR who is a faliure. Don’t you think?
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Mango / October 14, 2012
Gamini,
What exactly has VP achieved for Sri Lankan Tamils whom he claimed to represent? ? Nothing but death, exile, destruction and immeasurable loss.
VP’s stated aim was Eelam, which he failed to achieve after 30 years+ of war. One of Mahinda’s policy aims was the total destruction of the LTTE, which he achieved.
But, MR can’t maintain discipline over the people, because, the people are too unruly. :) We’ve already seen protests, riots etc in the Sinhala south. MR will fall, eventually and the manner of his going will be a reflection of his actions during his term in office.
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Native Vedda / October 14, 2012
gamini:
“VP is a better and smart leader than the croocked MR who is a faliure”.
What was the human costs?
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gamini / October 15, 2012
Mango, I pity for many who believe that MR alone finished the LTTE killing VP. VP was a victim of his own circumstances having connived with MR obviously at the behest of the Americans and the Indians who tacitly helped MR in the War. On the other hand the Americans and the Indians double dealt VP and it is no secret looking back at events leading to the end of the War. So naturally VP lost out on his dream of Eelam. You claim MR can not maintain discipline over the people because the people are too unruly. Come on Mango! if MR was such a strategist to have defeated VP under thirty months he must be a smart Allec and controling the masses should be no issue to him. Does he not get the opponents white vanned? No, such brilliance is not seen in MR as much as VP had no brilliance either and it was all a false facade put up by the Americans and the Indians who carried this War for the last thirty years. Leave alone MR controling the masses, he even can not controll his own Ministers, MPs and their brats, because he is a dud. Now that the Americans and the Indians are hyping MR, his image is all put on, not forgetting the efforts of Bell Pottinger & Co as well. You believe that MR will eventually fall due to his actions during his term of office but more so for his inaction, inefficiency and his dishonesty. Between the two MR and VP, I believe VP was smarter but he fell for International Intrigue. Both MR and VP were Murderers.
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shastri / October 13, 2012
The question is why is the US government giving citizenship to Amy officers in Banana republics like Lanka?
The same policy of cultivating wanna be military dictators was followed by the US in Central and Latin America while the PEOPLE of countries like El Slvador, Guatamala etc, had to suffer the consequences of the US GOvt’s liking for military dictators and DIRTY WARS – the same is true of US policy in Lanka with Fonseka and Gota the white van goon!
The stupid Tamil diaspora should file a case against Gota in the US courts.
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Native Vedda / October 13, 2012
shastri
“The question is why is the US government giving citizenship to Amy officers in Banana republics like Lanka?”
Good question.
Why did India give sanctuary, training, arms and funds to various stupid militant group particularly to LTTE? In addition India also protected Somavansa and thousands of his terrorist comrades in the late eighties. IGP Udugampola lived in India for considerable time to save his neck.
Is it out of goodness of their hearts?
Being a stupid Sri Lankan you still live in the “Cold War” era. The world has moved on and there are other players mimicking US imperialism in South Asia
You are naively recycling old idea about USA and refusing to take a closer look at your neighbours.
You say:
“The same policy of cultivating wanna be military dictators was followed by the US in Central and Latin America ………….”
India trains no less than 600 members of Sri Lankan armed forces annually. The present army commander was given high profile reception when he went on a official visit to India some months ago.
You were mentally conditioned to look at US as the prime suspect. Looking at your neighbour you will see an aspiring imperial power which has blood on its hands, just as the other imperial powers.
Good luck to you.
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gamini / October 16, 2012
Shastri, it is true as Native says not only America even India as it’s Foreign Policy has granted sanctuary to various fugitives, Terrorists and Crminals from time to time. For that matter Great Britain too is guilty as well allowing Somawansa Amarasinghe free entry and exit, while denying other genuine individuals. The duplicity of all these do gooders, their kindness is killing.
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Watcher / October 13, 2012
Donald and his ilk does not care about tamils in SL, all these morons are for money and prestige and living on misery of poor tamils in SL.
If they care they should help poor tamils to get on with their life.
Re. “GOSL WAS WORRIED MORE ABOUT SOLDIERS THAN CIVILIANS” what is wrong with this? Since civilians are used as shield by the ltte.
US used the same case to nuke Japan saying arm forces are not happy to accept US casualties.
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Donald J Gnanakone / October 13, 2012
Only idiots will be dreaming that the 1 Million Tamil diaspora will be pouring in money to redevelop Sri Lanka. (Even if it is NE).
Bloody Morons need to get this very clear.
Tamil diaspora works with all the foreign governments which also assisted the GOSL in the Genocide and War Crimes on Tamils, to continuously provide direct assistance to the Tamils in the NE.
The same with 100 odd NGO’s not to as much as possible provide aid directly to the Tamils and avoid the GOSL.
If morons believe that India agreed on the building of 50,000 homes to the Tamils, thanks to the Rajapakses or Devananda, then they are all dreaming..
The US Dept. of State and India itself are aware of the Tamil diaspora involvement and discussions that was done especially in NY.
Diaspora funds will be spent in the appropriate manner, as spending 10 dollars can generate 1,000 dollars in aid, than direct aid being answerable to the Rajapakses…. That type of policy won’t work..
Mango is a moron and I won’t be provoked. Barking dogs can keep barking… I have no time to stop and throw stones on dogs and shit.
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Mango / October 14, 2012
Donald,
When your children ask you “what did you do in Eelam War 4, Appa”? you can answer: “I promoted Eelam which required other people’s children to die whilst keeping you all safe and alive”.
Look at the difference between what KP is doing, helping the war-affected Tamil civilians in the North & East, whilst your group, Tamils for Genocide chases MR in a futile struggle in the US courts.
“The LTTE has brought about irredeemable harm to the Sri Lankan Tamil people. KP too has played a role in this. Now the shattered and battered Tamil people are trying to pick up the pieces and get along with life amidst drastically altered circumstances. It was easy to wreck and destroy in the name of Tamil liberation but it does require a monumental effort to salvage and re-build in the quest for Tamil restoration.”
http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/dbsjeyaraj-column/22664-kp-moves-from-colombo-to-thamilchelvans-house-in-kilinochchi.html
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Donald J Gnanakone / October 13, 2012
BTW the Tamil diaspora remits 2 Billion dollars officially to private families, schools, churches and temples..
But NO Public projects where the Tamil diaspora would be involved.
That includes KP and his projects.
KP can bring his funds or whatever he has shared with GOSL.
The total inward remittances to SL in 5 Billion dollars and middle east workers send only $2 Billion dollars per year.
As long as there is Military oppression, suppression and repression the Tamil battle against the Sinhala government (not people) will continue and it will get worse with direct action and more legal action in the USA. Unfortunately, that affects the Sinhalese people as well. Tamil diaspora will never be blackmailed….
Tamils are well focused on War Crimes Investigations…. So much so that the Bayagullah president dare not attend the Olympics or the UN. haha ha ha… What a set of cowards all you buggers are?????
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Mango / October 14, 2012
Donald, instead of answering my question, you babble on about diaspora remittances. Your refusal to answer those questions show that the my assertions must be accurate.
Bruce Fein has run away with tens of thousands of your hard-earned dollars! If VP was still alive, Bruce wouldn’t have dared to steal from the LTTE. His life would’ve been short and very painful. Your own brother was very hurt by the whole episode, Ha, ha ha !! :) :)
http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2008/08/on-bruce-fein-episode-carrion-bird.html
Your group, “Tamils for Genocide” did nothing to prevent avoidable Tamil civilian deaths during Eelam War 4 and instead did everything it could to promote an LTTE victory. What else can explain your silence during the Vanni hostage taking in 2009?
And now, you’re engaged in costly and futile legal attempts to overturn sovereign immunity at the UN and in the US. The only people profiting from the Eelam struggle are US lawyers! I can offer you my services at $3000 per day + expenses. At least you can rely on me being honest and not taking you for a ride ! :) :)
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F.L. Waiting / October 16, 2012
@Donald…. After Reading your comments, I am further convinced that… it’s the Tamil Terrorist Diaspora, the TTD, not Velu, that terrorized the Sri Lankans. Thank you for being so open and blunt. I salute that.
To me, if anyone thinks that Tamil terrorism is over, they need to wake up. Tamil terrorism is here to stay in VARIOUS DISGUISES.
Thankfully, the Rajapakses have shown the budding Sri Lankan leaders that we can divide the Tamils to smaller groups and instigate killings within, and reduce the parasite numbers to a manageable level. Also they displayed to the next generation of leaders that we should not hesitate to stand up against the western vultures if the push comes to shove.
How nice to see the whole NE systematically getting Sri Lankanized and the Elaam day dream is shattered.
No matter what you guys propagate, for us Sri Lankans, vaporizing the Tamil terrorists en masse, paved way to peace. So we bow our heads to those who did that solemn duty as the country’s elected leaders.
Your kallathoni money can never buy our pride, patriotism and crave to die for Motherlanka.
So don’t miscalculate.
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Watcher / October 14, 2012
Well, all the barking morons end up in the gutter in 2009 feb eating dirt and grass… Of course we still have some wild dogs to tame including some who use to scrape rust from old ships.. Those rusted morons are parasitic race and dying due to disease called elam.. ( we do have treatment that.. sleeping with the fish.)
Keep on barking since you do not have much time left and clean up already started and it does not matter where you are…..
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thuppahi / October 15, 2012
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NAK / October 16, 2012
Donald and clan has to keep up the rhetoric in order fill the till. Thats what they are doing.So those who take Donald and likes seriousy better ease up. They are not doing anything other than COLLECTING!!
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