Cablegate: Colombo Eac Meeting March 25, 2003

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

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000503

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/SA, DS/DSS/ITA, DSERCC AND SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AEMR PTER CASC CE
SUBJECT: COLOMBO EAC MEETING MARCH 25, 2003

REF: (A) COLOMBO 465

1. (SBU) On March 25, 2003 Colombo Emergency Action
Committee (EAC) met to discuss the local security situation.
The DCM chaired the EAC.

2. (SBU) The EAC agreed that the situation in Colombo is
calm. The anti-U.S. protest on March 21, 2003 mobilized
about 2000 people and was non-violent. No other protests
are planned, however mission expects another will take place
this Friday afternoon.

3. (SBU) The RSO briefed the EAC on the status of the
security upgrades reported in reftel. The EAC decided to
continue with Sri Lanka Police coverage on all residences.
The EAC also agreed to continue using an LAV shuttle for
transport to and from the Embassy for at least one more
week. The RSO also informed the EAC that the Ambassador is
now travelling with a police Special Task Force (STF) follow-
car.

4. (SBU) RSO also noted that the British and Australian
Embassies - reacting to our request for police coverage -
now have police and military at all their official
residences as well.

5. (SBU) The EAC agreed to maintain the current
restrictive travel policy for at least one more week.
Polchief noted that although the political situation is
stable, reaction to a potentially bloody battle for Baghdad
is unpredictable.

6. (SBU) The EAC agreed to meet again as needed, but no
later than April 1.

Wills

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