SENEGAL: G8 COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP FOCUSES

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAKAR 002477 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CT, INL, G/TIP, AF/RSA AND AF/W LAGOS FOR DEA PARIS FOR POL - D'ELIA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2016 TAGS: PTER SNAR CVIS SMIG KCRM KISL PU SG SUBJECT: SENEGAL: G8 COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP FOCUSES ON CLANDESTINE MIGRATION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING REF: DAKAR 1034 (NOTAL) Classified By: A/DCM Beth A. Payne for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The October 10 G8 Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting focused on the recent wave of clandestine migrants from Senegal to the Canary Islands, rather than ideological extremism. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) both participated again and continued to stress the possible links between terrorism, narcotics trafficking and clandestine migration. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On October 10, the Russian Embassy convened the G8's Counter-Terrorism Action Group (CTAG). All G8 countries as well as Spain were present at the two hour meeting. The European Union, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) also participated. The ADCM and RSO represented the USG. ¶3. (C) After a general opening by the Russian Embassy, the discussion quickly turned to the increase in clandestine migrants traveling by boat from Senegal to the Canary Islands. The newly arrived Spanish political officer, Francisco Javier Nievas Garcia, confirmed reports that in September there were approximately 27,000 illegal migrants primarily from West Africa in the Canary Islands. Hans-Peter Schadek, Chief of Operations and Cooperation with the European Union (EU) Delegation to Senegal, reported that the EU is financing a six month project to assist the GOS conduct surveillance of the coast of Senegal, using Spanish boats and a helicopter. Italy is also providing a plane for surveillance. The French are providing support to the Senegalese police and Gendarmerie for border control. ¶4. (C) Amado Philip de Andres, the UNODC Deputy Representative, noted that clandestine migration from Africa to Europe is not new; instead, the preferred routes have shifted as countries such as Mali and Mauritania made previous routes more difficult for smugglers. In fact, as the GOS has become more effective at monitoring its waters and arresting smugglers, the route is already shifting to Guinea-Bissau. UNODC reported that smugglers range from local fishermen who usually provide food and transport only to the Canary Islands, to well organized criminal enterprises that provide a more complete package to illegal migrants, including false papers upon arrival in Europe. He reported that migrants are from throughout West Africa, giving one example of several Nigerians and Liberians who recently arrived in Cape Verde holding Bissau-Guinean passports. ¶5. (C) Participants were particularly concerned about reports that the GOS recently arrested 100 Pakistanis in Senegal who were en route to Europe using the popular sea route. According to UNODC, South Asian smuggling organizations are the most organized in West Africa. While they have not yet identified any terrorist threats among illegal migrants from South Asian, it would be easy for terrorists to slip into these groups undetected. There was also concern that the same criminal enterprises that smuggle narcotics and migrants would assist terrorist elements for financial gain. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: It is clear the Europeans are much more concerned about terrorists benefiting from criminal smuggling enterprises than local popular support for extremist ideologies. As a result, they have made assistance to the GOS to better control borders and combat criminal enterprises a priority in their counter-terrorism efforts. Given strong public criticism of the GOS for supporting repatriation of thousands of Senegalese in recent weeks from the Canary Islands, President Wade may find stronger border controls and more rigorous enforcement efforts a liability in the February 2007 elections. END COMMENT. JACKSON