SOMALIA: PM MELES PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGES "DEFENSIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 003390 SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDING IGAD COLLECTIVE AS ADDRESSEE SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF AND AF/E LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS MOPS KISL ET SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: PM MELES PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGES "DEFENSIVE MEASURES" IN SOMALIA REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 3289 ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 3240 ¶C. ADDIS ABABA 3211 ¶D. ADDIS ABABA 3115 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. In a national address broadcast live on December 24, Prime Minister Meles acknowledged that Ethiopia had launched military operations within Somalia, describing them as "defensive measures" taken against "terrorist forces" who had infiltrated insurgents into Ethiopia. Citing the TFG's decision to exercise jurisdiction over its airspace and territorial waters Meles said Ethiopia's intervention would be limited in duration, and underscored that Ethiopia had no intention of establishing a government in Somalia. He affirmed support for international efforts to promote dialogue between the TFG and the UIC, and stated that Ethiopia had "no enmity" against the Somali people. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- "DEFENSIVE MEASURES" WILL BE "LIMITED AND PROPORTIONAL" -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) On the evening of December 24, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, in a live broadcast via state-run media, announced that the Ethiopian military was taking "defensive measures" within Somalia, against "terrorists" associated with the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). He explained that the move was in response to "large-scale offensives" by the UIC on December 20, aimed at controlling Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG),Puntland, and Somaliland, as well as destabilizing Ethiopia and other countries in the Horn of Africa. Meles asserted that the UIC had infiltrated large numbers of insurgents into Ethiopia, and had launched attacks while peace envoys were traveling between Baidoa and Mogadishu. ¶3. (U) In his public address, Meles underscored the limited duration and scope of Ethiopian military intervention, stating that the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) would immediately withdraw upon accomplishment of their mission, which was limited to defending Ethiopia. "Defensive measures" would be "limited and proportional to the attacks launched against us and the dangers facing our country, as well as in line with international laws," he said. Citing previous efforts at fostering dialogue between the TFG and the UIC, Meles affirmed support for efforts by the UNSC, African Union, and the European Union to enable the TFG and UIC to form a coalition government. He stated that Ethiopia had "no enmity" with the people of Somalia, nor with the majority of members and supporters of the UIC. State-run media highlighted the PM's statement that Ethiopia had no intention of establishing a government in Somalia, but only intended to counter the threat to Ethiopia's national security posed by "jihadist and terrorist groups." ¶4. (U) In a separate statement issued on December 24 by the MFA and attributed to the defense ministry, the GOE announced that the ENDF were taking "defensive measures against terrorist forces" in Somalia, who had "attempted to infiltrate into Ethiopia to launch attacks." The statement acknowledged ENDF attacks "in various parts of Somalia," including Buurhakaba (between Baidoa and Mogadishu), Beledweyne, Dinsoor (southwest of Baidoa),and Bandiiradley. -------------- -- ETHIOPIA CITES TFG'S JURISDICTION OVER AIRSPACE -------------- -- ¶5. (U) While not explicitly confirming press reports of military operations against airports in Mogadishu, the Ethiopian MFA issued a statement on December 26 highlighting a December 22 decision by the TFG Council of Ministers (as well as a presidential proclamation by TFG President Yusuf) to ban unauthorized use of Somali airspace and terroritorial waters, and that grants "any sympathetic and friendly nation or country" permission to assist the TFG in intercepting or stopping "any aircraft, ship or vessel suspected to be carrying or possessing arms or other ammunitions or any other goods or equipment unlawfully bound into the Somali republic for terrorists or any other organization." ADDIS ABAB 00003390 002 OF 002 ¶6. (U) Ethiopian state-run media also highlighted a December 24 press conference by TFG PermRep to the AU Ambassador Abdikarin Farah, in which Farah reportedly stated that measures taken by Ethiopia against the UIC were justified, as the UIC was receiving support from terrorists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan. ¶7. (U) The GOE's public announcements came one month after Prime Minister Meles publicly addressed parliament to outline the national security threat posed by the UIC and by its support for Ethiopian insurgents (ref D),resulting in three-fourths of parliamentarians approving "any measures necessary" against the UIC ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT: The GOE's statements are its first public acknowledgement of combat operations within Somalia. Meles' public assertion that Ethiopia's intervention would be limited in duration and scope, is consistent with earlier statements that Ethiopia's military strategy would be to "downsize" UIC forces to provide "breathing space" for TFG negotiators (ref B). END COMMENT. WILGUS