GHANA CHOOSES PUBLIC SILENCE ON IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000559

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2013
TAGS: PREL PTER GH
SUBJECT: GHANA CHOOSES PUBLIC SILENCE ON IRAQ

REF: A. STATE 71798 (NODIS)


B. STATE 70678

Classified By: Ambassador Mary C. Yates, reason 1.5 (B,D)


1. (C) Ambassador Yates delivered reftel B demarche on
possible NAM involvement in a UNGA Special Session on Iraq to
Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyemang on March 19.
Ambassador stressed the counterproductive nature of any such
session while the Security Council remains seized with the
issue, and that the USG and its coalition partners had
sufficient legal authority to disarm Iraq under several
Security Council resolutions. The Minister replied that
Ghana was, "off the record," in sympathy with the USG on
Iraq. Given what he termed "national politics" and the
tremendous pressure the GOG was under from various sources,
NAM, Africa Group and others to oppose any intervention in
Iraq, the GOG would not make any public statement on Iraq.


2. (C) Owusu-Agyemang noted the confusion in the local media
over a false report of a call from the Presidency to the
White House expressing support for USG actions to disarm
Iraq. There had been no such phone call made, he said.
Additionally, in violation of the GOG's decision to remain
silent publicly on Iraq, statements by a Presidency press
spokesman stating that more time should have been given to UN
inspectors had been repudiated by the Chief of Staff in later
remarks to the press, he noted. Owusu-Agyemang said that the
local "anti-war machinery" was in "overdrive," and his
government had to exercise caution. However, in regard to
any public demonstration that might threaten or impinge upon
Mission activities (none are planned that this Mission is
aware of),"it would be well contained."


3. (C) Ambassador also delivered reftel A demarche on Iraqi
agents to the Foreign Minister, who pledged to communicate
our concerns to GOG security forces "immediately." The
Ambassador thanked the Minister for the fine level of
cooperation on security matters. The Minister concluded by
saying, "we recognize the depth of conviction of the United
States on Iraq," and reaffirmed the GOG's cooperation on
security matters. He said he would be briefing the President
this afternoon on the details of these demarches.
YATES