SENEGAL: COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP MEETING ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DAKAR 001039 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT, AF/RSA, INL, G/TIP, AF/RSA AND AF/W LAGOS ALSO FOR DEA PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2016 TAGS: PTER SNAR CVIS KCRM KISL EAIR UN PU SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL: COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP MEETING ON IDEOLOGICAL RADICALIZATION AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING IN WEST AFRICA REF: A. STATE 058471 (NOTAL) ¶B. DAKAR 01034 (NOTAL) ¶C. DAKAR 00957 (NOTAL) Classified By: DCM Robert P. Jackson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The April 27 G8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting in Dakar focused as much on narcotics as it did on ideological radicalization. DCM drew on Ref A talking points and briefed the CTAG on counter-terrorism training that we have conducted in 2006. DCM noted that we are opening an FBI office in Dakar. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), both participating for the first time, stressed the links between terrorism and narcotics trafficking, suggesting that Senegalese marabouts, wealth comes not just from the alms gathered by talibes but also from narcotics. UNODC also confirmed that Senegal and four other West African countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea and Mali) have now ratified 12 of the 13 universal instruments on the prevention and suppression of international terrorism. UNODC and the Spanish Charge highlighted the May 25-26 Madrid Ministerial Roundtable for West and Central African Countries on Counter-Terrorism's Legal Framework. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On April 27, the Russian Embassy convened the G8,s Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG). All G8 countries, except Canada, as well as Spain and Switzerland were represented at teh 90 minute meeting. The European Union Acting Delegate, the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also participated. DCM and Regional Affairs Officer represented the United States. ¶3. (C) Russian Charge Alexei Popov opened the meeting by stressing that the fight against international terrorism must be conducted in the context of international law and of the United Nations. He said there must be no double standards, and civil society must be involved. Popov twice mentioned education and use of mass media to combat terrorism. Spanish Charge Carmela Barcia Bustelo highlighted the May 25-26 Madrid Ministerial Roundtable for West and Central African Countries on Counter-Terrorism's Legal Framework. 
 ¶4. (SBU) DCM stated that we have conducted a seminar on terrorism laws in North and West Africa, training on financial investigations and Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) Weapons of Mass Destruction training this year. He also noted that we will open an FBI office in Dakar in July. However, drawing extensively upon Ref A points, DCM cautioned that the CTAG needs to use not only military, intelligence and law enforcement means. ¶5. (C) French Police Commissioner Jean-Charles Lamonica said that France too has is providing training to Senegalese immigration and intelligence officers. He noted that the Organization of the Islamic Conferences (OIC) Summit and the Christian-Islamic Dialogue have been postponed until 2008 or 2009 due to construction delays. In response to a question, he also noted that Senegal has become more Islamic but not &radical8 over the last 30 years, addding that Mali has seen increased Wahibism over the same period because Saudi-financed non-governmental organizations have provided social services that have attracted Malians. ¶6. (C) Japanese DCM Hisanobu Hasama stressed the need for a regional approach to terrorism and noted that it is easy to obtain genuine Senegalese documents for multiple identities. That led to UNODC representatives Amado de Andres and Irune Aguirrezabal making a long presentation on narcotics in the region. De Andres said the UNODC is launching its second DAKAR 00001039 002 OF 002 container security project here, building upon experience in Ecuador. He suggested a link between marabouts and narcotics trafficking, later noting that Senegal,s estimated 100,000 &talibes8 collect significant alms. (NOTE: The GOS estimates that talibes collect USD 4 million each month. END NOTE.) UNOWA representative Allesandra Cabras chimed in, noting that UNOWA is concerned that historic trade routes across the Sahel are now being used for narcotics. ¶7. (U) Aguirrezabal then presented an update on the status of the 13 universal instruments against terrorism, noting that Senegal has signed all 13 and ratified its 12th, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, on April 7. That makes Senegal one of just five West and Central African states to have ratified 12 of the 13 instruments. (NOTE: Guinea-Bissau with just two ratified has the worst score. END NOTE.) Aguirrezabal and de Andres concluded their presentation by noting that planned reforms to Senegal,s penal code should strengthen Senegal,s terrorism legislation. ¶8. (U) British DCM Derek Levoir noted that a British airline will begin direct flights to London in December and asked about recent FAA and TSA inspections. DCM briefed the CTAG on their overall findings (Ref C). ¶9. (C) COMMENT: This was one of the most productive CTAG meetings that we have had in Dakar for sometime. The nexus between terrorism and narcotics and growing evidence of narcotics transshipment through Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Cape Verde has captured the Europeans, attention. END COMMENT. ¶10. (U) Please visit Embassy Dakar,s classified website at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/af/dakar/. JACOBS