Cablegate: Informal Presence in the Northern City Of

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000333

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/SA/EX; SA/INS; DS/CIS/PSP; DS/IP/FPO AND
DS/IP/SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC ABLD AFIN CE
SUBJECT: INFORMAL PRESENCE IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF
JAFFNA

1. With continuing progress toward peace, this Mission
finds it highly desirable to establish an informal
presence in the northern city of Jaffna. This will
facilitate coordination of AID activities in the areas
of economic development and humanitarian assistance;
help us carry out public diplomacy programs; and allow
us to monitor events/activities important to US foreign
policy objectives.

2. To date, Mission personnel on temporary duty to
Jaffna have had to use the UN guest quarters, which
still is the only lodging in town. With UN activities
increasing rapidly, this option is not available to us
any longer. Post therefore plans to lease a residential
property for lodging by Mission staff during short
periods of TDY. While this property will not be used as
a venue for official meetings, it may be used for
occasional lunches with contacts. It will have two or
three bedrooms, kitchen facilities, etc. It will also
have a telephone, fax, TV, radio and a PC. Total
leasing cost and operating expenses such as salary for a
cook cum caretaker/ gardener in addition to utilities
would be about $3,500 per year, which would be funded by
ICASS.

3. The Mission will look at renting an appropriately
secure residence. When a property is located, RSO will
conduct a detailed security inspection of the residence
and approve or veto its addition to our housing pool.
Residential security upgrades will be identified and
reported, and the residence will meet all residential
security standards prior to occupancy.

4. Post requests the Department's prompt approval and
funding for this initiative.

Wills

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