Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA1579
2006-06-09 13:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA: DEPUTY FM SAYS HIGH-LEVEL MIL-TO-MIL

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPKO MOPS CASC 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3730
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #1579 1601351
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 091351Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1014
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0896
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001579 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO MOPS CASC
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: DEPUTY FM SAYS HIGH-LEVEL MIL-TO-MIL
NEGOTIATIONS WAY FORWARD FOR CONTINUED CJTF-HOA OPERATIONS


Classified By: Charge Vicki Huddleston for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001579

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO MOPS CASC
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: DEPUTY FM SAYS HIGH-LEVEL MIL-TO-MIL
NEGOTIATIONS WAY FORWARD FOR CONTINUED CJTF-HOA OPERATIONS


Classified By: Charge Vicki Huddleston for reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Deputy Foreign Minister Tekeda Alemu told
the Charge and CJTF-HOA Commander Rear Admiral Richard Hunt
June 9 that the USG military civil affairs team activities
need to be defined in terms of the broader US-Ethiopia
counterterrorism relationship. Tekeda called into question
the reality of the US-Ethiopia relationship, saying the world
had an impression of a "hand-in-glove" counterterrorism
cooperation, but little to show in reality. He noted that
the US and Ethiopia should revisit its relationship to
determine the level of cooperation. Tekeda reiterated that
there was no better counterterrorism partner for the US, but
the relationship will need to be nurtured. The Minister
recommended that an upcoming June 18-19 visit by General
Abizaid to Ethiopia may be the appropriate forum to begin
such a dialogue. End Summary.


2. (C) The Charge accompanied by Combined Joint Task
Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander Rear Admiral Hunt
met with Minister Tekeda to discuss a request from Ethiopian
National Defense Forces (ENDF) Chief of General Staff Lt.
General Samora Yonus that USG civil affairs teams pull out of
the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Tekeda indicated that he and
Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin were unaware of any movement
to discontinue the civil affairs activity though, he said,
they have not always been "in the loop" regarding these
issues. Tekeda noted that Samora may be uncomfortable with
the impression among some that civil affairs projects have
helped the insurgent group Ogaden National Liberation Front
(ONLF). Tekeda said he was not "too concerned" about this
impression but recommended that the US work to better to
illuminate ENDF's contribution to the civil affairs projects.


3. (C) Tekeda said the issue of continued CJTF-HOA operation
in the Ogaden region was just a localized part of the overall
US-Ethiopia military relationship. According to the
Minister, the relationship, however, needed to be nurtured.
He recommended high-level military-to-military discussions on
the "context" of the countries overarching counterterrorism
cooperation. Tekeda noted some progress and a better
understanding of the relationship after Assistant Secretary
Jendayi Frazer visited Ethiopia in January 2006. The Charge
asked Tekeda if General Abizaid might be the appropriate
person to discuss such issues. Tekeda suggested that a
meeting between Abizaid and Samora followed by a meeting with
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi would be good way forward. The
MFA, he said, would then assist with the development of the
greater national policy. Tekeda commented that a positive
resolution on the issue of whether or not to continue
CJTF-HOA operations in the Ogaden region would likely be a
byproduct of this dialogue.
HUDDLESTON