Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DAKAR2477
2006-10-13 13:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Dakar
Cable title:
SENEGAL: G8 COUNTER-TERRORISM ACTION GROUP FOCUSES
how-toVZCZCXRO8716 PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPA RUEHPW DE RUEHDK #2477 2861256 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131356Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6570 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0131 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0141 RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0019 RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RUEHNA/DEA HQS WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0772
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).
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
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