Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANJUL472
2006-07-24 12:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:  

THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON REACTION TO MIDEAST VIOLENCE

Tags:  PREL ASEC PTER GA LE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9349
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHJL #0472 2051251
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241251Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6854
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000472 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC PTER GA LE
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON REACTION TO MIDEAST VIOLENCE

REF: A. BANJUL 459 ET AL


B. BANJUL 439

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (D)

PRESIDENT JAMMEH SPEAKS OUT
----------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000472

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/24/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC PTER GA LE
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UPDATE ON REACTION TO MIDEAST VIOLENCE

REF: A. BANJUL 459 ET AL


B. BANJUL 439

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (D)

PRESIDENT JAMMEH SPEAKS OUT
--------------


1. (U) Following the resident Lebanese community's July 18
statement denouncing Israel for the ongoing Mideast violence
(reftel),President Jammeh has also condemned the Israelis.
In a televised statement marking the anniversary of his 1994
coup, Jammeh expressed concern over the clashes, but
portrayed them as "Israeli aggression." Omitting any mention
of the U.S., Jammeh expressed sympathy for "Lebanese and
Palestinian" victims and called for UN intervention to halt
the fighting.

JOINT STATEMENT WITH IVOIRIAN LEADER
--------------


2. (C) The topic of Mideast violence also surfaced in a joint
communique issued at the close of the July 21-23 visit here
by Cote d'Ivoire's President, Laurent Gbagbo. In a
perfunctory statement devoid of anti-Israeli criticism, the
two leaders registered concern over the violence and called
on "all sides" to exercise restraint and pursue a "peaceful
and lasting solution." They also "reaffirmed their
condemnation of terrorism everywhere in the world." In brief
comment to Ambassador, Ivoirian Foreign Minister Bakayoko
took credit for the relatively mild tenor of the communique,
saying that, during its drafting, he had insisted to the
Gambians that there be "no criticism of anyone" over the
Mideast fighting.

OVERALL GAMBIAN REACTION REMAINS SUBDUED
--------------


3. (C) The Gambian President's and Lebanese community's
statements notwithstanding, our contacts indicate that the
Mideast turmoil has yet to gain much traction with the
Gambian public generally. Meanwhile, coverage in the local
media is, for the most part, factual and drawn from foreign
wire service reports. However, the journal "Daily Observer,"
which serves as the GOTG's mouthpiece, featured an editorial
July 24 endorsing Jammeh's criticism of Israel and accusing
it of "the most heinous and barbaric treatment of Lebanon and
Palestine." Referring to "the continuous killing and maiming
of innocent Muslims," the author echoed Jammeh's call for UN
intervention.

COMMENT
--------------


4. (C) At this point, we judge that Jammeh's statement --
and his denunciation of Israel - likely represents a gesture
to the local Lebanese community rather than a manifestation
of sharply rising concern over the Mideast crisis among
Gambians. However, the statement is also consistent with the
less moderate foreign policy moves by Jammeh of late -- as
highlighted by his reaching out to Iran and Venezuela (ref b)
-- as part of his anti-U.S. reaction following the suspension
of The Gambia's MCA eligibility. While we continue to judge
that the Mideast crisis is not likely to generate anti-U.S.
protests or other threats to U.S. interests, careful
monitoring remains in order. END COMMENT.
STAFFORD