Cablegate: Sri Lanka/Maldives: Designation of Iranian

VZCZCXRO8781
RR RUEHBI
DE RUEHLM #0984 3040703
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 300703Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8833
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1123
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 8125
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 6330
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2362
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 8758
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 2403
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 6166

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000984

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ISN, T, AND NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN MNUC PREL PARM KNNP CE MV
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA/MALDIVES: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN
ENTITIES UNDER E.O. 13382

REF: SECSTATE 114408

1. (SBU) On October 28 the Ambassador delivered reftel
points and FATF 1803 guidelines to Foreign Secretary
Palitha Kohona. The Ambassador strongly urged the GSL to
take local action against the Export Development Bank of
Iran (EDBI) and to cease any activities the GSL may have
with this institution and/or its affiliates. Kohona asked
if these new U.S. restrictions would affect the GSL's
future payments to Iran for oil. (Note: Sri Lanka imports
approximately seventy percent of its oil needs from Iran.
End Note.) Econ Chief noted that we would need specifics
on exactly how Sri Lanka is transacting payments to Iran to
know; however, any attempt to make payment via a U.S.
financial institution to EDBI or its affiliates will be
blocked. The Ambassador also explained that any entity
within the GSL's jurisdiction that conducts business with
EDBI or its affiliates may be subject to designation under
E.O. 13382. He also underscored the GSL's responsibility
under UNSCR resolutions, in particular UNSCR 1803. Kohona
agreed to review the information provided and share it with
appropriate agencies.

2. (U) Points were also delivered on October 28 to Lauza
Ali, First Secretary of the Maldives High Commission in
Colombo for transfer to the Maldives Monetary Authority and
other relative government agencies, as well to Mr.
Karunaratne, Director of the Sri Lankan Financial
Intelligence Unit within the Central Bank.

Blake

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