Cablegate: Copenhagen Follow Up - Maldives On Board, Sri

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P 201327Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
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UNCLAS COLOMBO 000039

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DREW NELSON, RACHEL KASTENBERG, KATE LARSEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG IO CE MV
SUBJECT: COPENHAGEN FOLLOW UP - MALDIVES ON BOARD, SRI
LANKA CONSIDERING

REF: STATE 3079

1. Charge Fowler discussed the Copenhagen meeting with the
Vice President and Foreign Minister of the Maldives on
January 13, noting the Maldives' assistance in crafting the
Copenhagen Accord. EconOff subsequently shared reftel points
with officials with the Governments of the Maldives and Sri
Lanka and urged both nations to formally associate themselves
with the Copenhagen Accord. Mr. Ibrahim Zaki, Special Envoy
to Maldivian President Nasheed, reiterated the President's
support for association with the Accord and noted the
government's "intense efforts" both in Copenhagen and since
to gain the support of other governments for the Accord.

2. Mr. Jayathilake, Secretary of Sri Lanka's Ministry of
Environmental and Natural Resources, noted that his
government has some concerns about the Accord and "the
process" in Copenhagen. He expects to deliver written points
to the United Nations in the coming weeks, noting that next
week's presidential election may slow things down somewhat.
In general, though, Jayathilake emphasized Sri Lanka's desire
to support efforts to slow and reverse global climate change.

3. Post will continue working closely with the Governments of
the Maldives and Sri Lanka to support our climate change
goals. Action officer for environmental issues in Colombo is
Ken Kero-Mentz.
BUTENIS

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