THE GAMBIA: ENGAGING AU ON AMIS REHAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000019

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PREL KPKO SU GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: ENGAGING AU ON AMIS REHAT

REF: STATE 1351

Classified By: Ambassador Joseph Stafford, reason 1.4 (b and d)


1. (SBU) Given The Gambia's status as a troop contributing
country for AMIS, Ambassador, in January 10 meeting, drew
from reftel points to brief Foreign Affairs Permanent
Secretary Ebou Taal on U.S.support of UN rehatting of the

SIPDIS
AMIS operation. Ambassador stressed U.S. objectives of
promoting movement ahead toward a UN operation while working
to strengthen AMIS in the interim and highlighted our desire
to use our UNSC presidency in February to present a
resolution authorizing planning for rehatting. He asked that
the GOTG, in its contacts with other AU member states, look
for ways to promote support for U.S. stance on rehatting.


2. (SBU) Taal expressed thanks for the briefing and
undertook to share it with the GOTG leadership and get back
to us with a substantive reaction.


3. (C) COMMENT: We view the GOTG as a potentially useful ally
in our efforts on behalf of rehatting and recommend that we
keep them abreast of our thinking on this dossier. END
COMMENT.
STAFFORD