Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 03COLOMBO2017, IN VISIT, COMMERCE DAS WILLIAMSON EMPHASIZES

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #03COLOMBO2017.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
03COLOMBO2017 2003-11-21 03:55 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Colombo
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 002017 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR E, EB, SA/INS, SA/RA 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR BERNADETTE BUNDY - ANE/SA, 
USTR FOR AUSTR WILLS; TREASURY FOR SRI LANKA DESK; NSC FOR 
ELIZABETH MILLARD; COMMERCE FOR ARIADNE BENAISSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD BEXP PREL KIPR KTEX CE ECONOMICS
SUBJECT: IN VISIT, COMMERCE DAS WILLIAMSON EMPHASIZES 
IMPORTANCE OF STABILITY FOR INVESTMENT AND GROWTH 
 
REFS: A) Colombo 1983 B) Colombo 1957 
 
Sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. 
 
1. (U) Summary: During her visit, Commerce DAS Williamson 
heard updates on the current political environment and 
emphasized to public and private sector interlocutors the 
importance of a stable, predictable environment for growth 
and investment.  Williamson applauded the government's work 
to date on the peace process and economic reform, urged an 
amicable resolution of the ongoing domestic uncertainty and 
confirmed the USG's commitment to expanding the bilateral 
trade relationship.  End summary. 
 
2. (U) Commerce DAS Molly Williamson, accompanied by DOC 
Sri Lanka Desk Officer Ariadne Benaissa, met with key 
business and government contacts in a two-day visit, coming 
a week after the President took over three ministries and 
suspended Parliament.  She met with officials from the 
Ministry of Commerce, including the Minister, the Board of 
Investment (BoI), the private/public sector IPR Working 
Group, the Ceylon and the American Chambers of Commerce, 
individual business leaders, the Joint Apparel Association 
Forum, and visited a leading edge US software development 
firm. 
 
3.  (U) At all meetings, Williamson delivered the message 
that the US is looking for trading partners with stability, 
predictability, rule of law, a business-friendly 
environment and a trainable workforce.  She noted that Sri 
Lanka had received attention from the USG because it 
tackled its problems on its own, and attracted 
international support for those efforts.  She applauded the 
GSL's commitment to the peace process, economic reform and 
trade liberalization, and expressed appreciation for the 
stance taken at Cancun.  Williamson promoted more 
commercial interaction, including visits to the US to 
explore opportunities and attend trade shows, sending trade 
delegations, and general public relations to promote a 
positive image of Sri Lanka.  She supported the robust TIFA 
relationship, and cautioned the Sri Lankans about the 
realities of potential FTA discussions, explaining the 
constraints of US political dynamics. 
 
Impact of Political Uncertainty 
------------------------------- 
4. (SBU) DAS Williamson's schedule was unaffected by the 
political maneuvering, except for its primacy as a 
discussion topic.  She heard from all parties that the 
moves by President Kumaratunga were unexpected, and had a 
negative effect on the country's international reputation, 
foreign investment and on individual business relationships 
(reftels).  Both private and public sector groups expressed 
the desire that that the President and PM come to a 
resolution quickly, so they could get back on the track of 
development and growth.  Many interlocutors complained that 
business deals were now on hold, pending resolution.  None 
saw a threat of violence or unrest in the current 
circumstances. 
 
5.  (U) Major issues DAS Williamson discussed with these 
representatives included IPR Protection, infrastructure 
development, education, TIFA talks, and the prospect of FTA 
discussions. 
 
IPR 
--- 
6. (SBU) On the day of DAS Williamson's arrival, November 
13, the Parliament Speaker signed the new IPR legislation, 
bringing it into effect.  At the meeting with 
representatives from the private sector and the GSL Offices 
of Intellectual Property, Consumer Affairs, Police and 
Attorney General, DAS Williamson was briefed on current 
efforts to begin implementation of the law.  These efforts 
include: establishment of special IPR units in the police 
and Attorney General's office, a series of public lectures 
about the law, training programs for police and customs, 
newspaper ads and WIPO assistance to conduct a study on 
using IP to become more competitive.  IP Office Director 
Dr. Karunaratna relayed the GSL's desire to become an IPR 
policing hub for the region.  Opportunities for 
implementation support were explored, including Dept. of 
Commerce programs for lawyers and judges, industry 
association programs, training by US Customs in New Delhi, 
and help from the new Microsoft Office, due to open soon. 
Infrastructure Development and Education 
---------------------------------------- 
7. (U) DAS Williamson heard from the private sector, as 
well as from the BoI, about the importance of developing 
infrastructure to enable growth.  Projects are planned or 
are already underway for roads, ports, airports, power and 
water.  BoI Chairman Arjunna Mahendran relayed that five 
infrastructure projects, worth $150 million, were put on 
hold as a result of the current political dispute.  In 
addition to infrastructure, he said he saw growth potential 
in the telecom sector including Back Office Processing and 
call centers, and in textile manufacturing.  The BoI target 
for annual Foreign Direct investment is $1 billion by 2006. 
 
8. (SBU) At the BoI and the Chambers of Commerce, DAS 
Williamson explored the education situation, and heard 
about insufficient capacity at the universities, and how 
many graduates do not emerge with the skills employers 
demand.  English language skills, once very strong, have 
declined, and new programs to bring English back into the 
curriculum are underway.  There is an effort to train a 
core group of workers in English and IT to staff operations 
such as call centers.  Finding educated workers was not a 
problem for Virtusa, an award-winning, growing US software 
development company that DAS Williamson visited, as it 
offers on-the-job training for new employees. 
 
TIFA/FTA 
-------- 
9. (SBU) DAS Williamson emphasized at each meeting that 
there are no bilateral FTA negotiations currently underway, 
but the robust, effective TIFA process has successfully 
addressed many issues that would need to be dealt with in a 
strengthening trade relationship.  Commerce Minister 
Karunanayake confirmed what was said during the TIFA talks, 
that the GSL is close to signing the WTO Information 
Technology Agreement, and was waiting for a response from 
the USG in Geneva.  DAS Williamson also engaged garment 
sector representatives, emphasizing the importance of 
taking steps to reduce the impact of the MFA phase-out, and 
saying they should not expect an FTA to cushion the impact. 
Recommended steps include improving productivity and 
competitiveness, as well as diversification out of 
garments.  She also offered to assist the group with their 
visit (planned for mid-January) to the southeastern US to 
explore options of importing inputs from US mills. 
 
10.  (SBU) Comment: This visit was important for two 
reasons. First, DAS Williamson could see firsthand that the 
political situation was not unstable, as depicted in the 
international media, and that the GSL and business 
representatives are ready to move forward on all fronts. 
Second, she gave a dose of US political reality to those 
anxious to start the FTA process.  Her description of the 
mandated procedure and likely timing was educational for 
most, and appreciated by all.  End comment. 
 
DAS Williamson did not have an opportunity to clear this 
cable. 
LUNSTEAD