CODEL INHOFE DISCUSSES BURUNDI, ARTICLE 98, AU

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000687

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/4/15
TAGS: PREL MARR OREP TZ BY
SUBJECT: CODEL INHOFE DISCUSSES BURUNDI, ARTICLE 98, AU
STANDBY FORCE WITH FOREIGN MINISTER KIKWETE

Classified by Charge d'Affaires Michael S. Owen for reasons
1.5 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Senator James Inhofe (OK),Senator Mike Enzi (WY),
and Congressman John Boozman (AR) met with Foreign Minister
Jakaya Kikwete during a brief stop-over in Dar es Salaam on
April 1. Kikwete had just returned from parliamentary
capital Dodoma, where he had deposited his nomination
papers to seek the ruling CCM party nomination for the
presidency, and was in a decidedly upbeat mood.


2. (C) Asked about regional stability, Kikwete voiced
some optimism about Burundi rebels FNL-Palipehutu coming to
the bargaining table. Acknowledging that there would be
"ups and downs" in the process, he said nonetheless the
first signs are encouraging. He noted that senior FNL
negotiators are currently in Dar es Salaam, and that talks
would proceed for at least the following week. The
Minister said the FNL leadership realized that "the train
is already leaving the station," and that failure to
negotiate now could even further marginalize the group. He
said the GOT is suspicious of the FNL leadership, but is
nonetheless prepared to play a helpful role, within the
context of overall South African leadership.


3. (C) Senator Inhofe noted that Tanzania is losing US
military assistance because of its refusal to sign an
Article 98 agreement, and asked if that decision might be
reconsidered when a new President is elected later this
year. Weighing his words carefully, Kikwete claimed that
the decision on Article 98 was not a Foreign Ministry
decision, but rather had been made by the Justice Ministry
and the "leadership," presumably President Mkapa. Although
he stopped short of saying the decision could be
reconsidered, by distancing himself from the decision he
held out the possibility that if he becomes President
Kikwete later this year, he could reconsider without having
to reverse himself.


4. (C) Senator Inhofe voiced strong USG support for the
African Union's standby peacekeeping brigades. Kikwete
said only that the standby brigades were a good idea, but
would need a great deal of support.


5. (U) Codel Inhofe departed post before this cable was
drafted and did not clear on it.

OWEN