SOMALIA: ARAB LEAGUE TO HOLD MINISTERIAL MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 003849

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS PTER ARABL EG SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: ARAB LEAGUE TO HOLD MINISTERIAL MEETING
JUNE 21-22 IN KHARTOUM; SENIOR SOMALI POLITICAL FIGURES
EXPECTED TO ATTEND

REF: CAIRO 3819

Classified by ECPO Counselor John Desrocher for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).


1. (C) The Arab League will hold a ministerial meeting in
Khartoum, Sudan June 21-22, to discuss political and security
developments in Somalia, according to senior Arab League
contacts. League Secretariat staffer Talal Elameen (protect)
told Poloff that the meeting of the League's 11-member
Somalia Follow-up Group will be hosted by Sudan as the
League's current Summit president, and will be attended by
Somali President Yousef, the Chair of the Union of Islamic
Courts (UIC),and other senior Somali political figures.
Elameen opened the conversation by stating "we are dealing
with this situation in our own way: we can't just sit around
and watch what is happening in Somalia."


2. (C) Elameen said that the Arab League committee was
comprised of Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Oman,
Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Also
participating would be AL Secretary General Amre Moussa. The
meetings would begin with an evening meeting in Khartoum June
21, with additional meetings and consultations June 22.
Asked about non-Arab League participation, Elameen said it
was an "Arab League-only" gathering. Poloff stressed the
importance of coordinating international political efforts
vis-a-vis Somalia. We would expect the League to coordinate
and consult with the U.S. and other key players interested in
Somalia issues. Elameen, who will travel in the afternoon to
Khartoum with Moussa and Arab League African Affairs Office
Director Samir Hosni, committed to providing the Embassy with
a full readout upon conclusion of the Khartoum meeting.


3. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
RICCIARDONE