SOMALIA: TFG, UIC REACH AGREEMENT, PARTIES TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001477 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, AF/FO, AF/E, AF/SPG, AF/RSA, AND IO ADDIS ABABA PLS PASS A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER SO US AL SU SUBJECT: SOMALIA: TFG, UIC REACH AGREEMENT, PARTIES TO MEET AGAIN ON JULY 15 IN KHARTOUM REF: CAIRO 03849 KHARTOUM 00001477 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: President Yusuf said the Transitional Federal Government and the Union of Islamic Courts agreed on June 22 to cease hostilities, recognize each other, and meet again in Arab League-sponsored talks in Khartoum on July 15. He characterized the Union as a complex, multi-faceted organization that includes hardline and terrorist elements. Finally, Yusuf expressed a desire for an improved relationship between his government and the USG. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Yusuf: First Round an Ice Breaker, Second on for July 15 -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 23, Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Somali Republic President Abdullahi Yusuf told Pol/Econ Counselor that the first round of talks held in Khartoum on June 21-22 had been successful, and served as an "ice breaker" for future meetings. The talks took place under the auspices of the Arab League Consultative Committee for Somalia. He noted that the second round of talks would take place on July 15, also in Khartoum. Yusuf appreciated broad Arab League support for the process, which included participants from Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen, in addition to Sereary General Amre Mousa and President Bashir, current Arab League Chairman. He said that TFG Foreign Minister Abdullahi Shaykh Ismail had led the TFG delegation; Deputy Chairman Muhammad Ali Ibrahim led the delegation of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Although the talks had been "a bit difficult," Yusuf observed that the UIC delegation had been willing to discuss issues constructively, and was committed to the process. -------------- -------------- Seven-Point Agreement Sets Ground Rules for Further Talks -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Abdirizak Adam Hassan, President Yusuf's Chief of Staff, listed the seven points of the agreement signed at Friendship Hall on the evening of June 22: -- Recognition of the legality of the TFG: -- Recognition of the reality of the UIC; -- Continuation of the talks without conditions; -- Recognition of the need to take to trial "war criminals" (Note: left undefined. End note.); -- Cessation of antagonistic propaganda and hostilities; -- Issuance of a joint appeal for peace; and -- Continuation of dialogue on security, politics, and blockages to peace through the establishment of technical committees designed to address specific issues. -------------- -------------- UIC Characterized as Tactical, Secretive, and Diverse -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) President Yusuf characterized the UIC as a loose amalgamation of forces within the Hawia clan; it is "tactical, secretive, and diverse." He said that the delegation for the first round was a small group of moderates; no hardliners had ventured to Khartoum. Particularly important for the second round would be the level and extent of UIC representation; he expressed hope that UIC Chairman Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmed would lead the UIC delegation. Yusuf said that the UIC might participate in the TFG, by negotiating seats in the cabinet and parliament through the established system of seats being allocated by clan. The UIC includes a broad array of individuals, he said, including those who would have Somalia become a Taliban KHARTOUM 00001477 002.2 OF 002 state. Some UIC hardliners are supported by foreign sheikhs, he added, and the organization includes both al-Qaida and al-Ittihad members. -------------- -------------- Yusuf: TFG Seeks Improved Relationship with U.S. -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) President Yusuf described Somalia's immediate neighbors, the front-line states of Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, as being "friendly" toward the TFG. The TFG, however, is interested in developing an improved relationship with the U.S. Government; he urged the USG to look beyond "quick wins" in anti-terrorism to the need to develop a positive, long-term relationship with the TFG. ¶6. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. HUME