Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KHARTOUM2140
2006-09-05 17:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:  

SOMALIA: COMMUNIQUE FROM SECOND ROUND OF SOMALI

Tags:  PREL PGOV IGAD MOPS EAID SU SO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 002140 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IGAD MOPS EAID SU SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: COMMUNIQUE FROM SECOND ROUND OF SOMALI
TALKS IN KHARTOUM

REF: KHARTOUM 01477

KHARTOUM 00002140 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 002140

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV IGAD MOPS EAID SU SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: COMMUNIQUE FROM SECOND ROUND OF SOMALI
TALKS IN KHARTOUM

REF: KHARTOUM 01477

KHARTOUM 00002140 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and
(d)


1. (C) Summary: The final communique released on September 4
by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Union of
Islamic Courts (UIC) at the closure of the second round of
talks in Khartoum calls for peaceful co-existence between
factions and the cessation of encouragement and assistance to
&warlords.8 The communique also calls for the
reconstitution of the Somali National Army and national
police force and the integration of TFG and UIC forces. As a
confidence building measure, a joint TFG-UIC committee will
be formed to monitor follow-up of the communique,s provisos,
and a technical committee, composed of representatives of the
Arab League, will be established. A third negotiating round
is scheduled to begin on October 30 in Khartoum to address
political and security issues, including power-sharing. Key
issues remaining include the presence of foreign troops,
including potentially those of IGAD. End summary.

-------------- --------------
Second Round of Inter-Somali Talks Yields Results
-------------- --------------


2. (C) Following talks between representatives of the Union
of Islamic Courts (UIC) and the Transitional Federal
Government (TFG) September 2-4 in Khartoum, agreement on
several points of discussion was reached late on the night of
September 4-5. This included a reaffirmation of the results
of the first round of talks held in Khartoum held on June 22,
2006, (reftel) as well as progress on a variety of security
arrangements.

--------------
Text of the Communique
--------------


3. (C) The text of the eight-point communique ) informal
German Embassy translation from Arabic ) is as follows:

(Begin text)

FINAL COMMUNIQUE OF THE 2ND ROUND OF TALKS HELD FOR THE
DELEGATION OF THE TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ISLAMIC

COURTS BY THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES COMMITTEE ON SOMALIA

KHARTOUM, 2)4 SEPTEMBER 2006

On 2-4 September 2006, the second round of talks for the
delegation of the Transitional Federal Government and Union
of Islamic Courts was held in Khartoum to complement the
first round that was convened in Khartoum on 22 June 2006.
To ascertain the aspirations of the Somali people in
attaining peace, stability, and reconstruction, the talks has
been conducted in a mutual and brotherly atmosphere. The two
sides agreed on the following:


1. To honor and implement provisions of the agreement signed
jointly in Khartoum - Sudan on 22 June 2006.


2. To reconstitute the Somali National Army and the national
police force and work towards reintegration of the forces of
the Union of Islamic Courts, the TFG, and other armed
militias in the country. This will be realized through an
agreed framework that will be in place during the agreement
on the political program.


3. The two sides agreed to practice the principles of being
a good neighbor and observing peaceful co-existence between
Somalia and its neighboring countries as well as
non-interference in each others' affairs so as to create an
atmosphere conducive to building understanding and confidence.


4. The two sides should refrain from helping, rearming, and
encouraging warlords.


5. The two sides should honor the unity and the nationhood
of the Somali people.


6. The two sides should honor the will of the Somali people

KHARTOUM 00002140 002.2 OF 003


wherever they are.


7. The remaining aspects of this agreement, including
discussions on political, power-sharing, and security issues,
will be deliberated on the third round of the talks.


8. Institute a joint committee that would follow-up the
agreement and at the same time exchange visits to build
confidence and mutual collaboration.


9. The two sides agreed formation of a technical committee
consisting of the Arab League Presidency ) Sudan, Arab
League General Secretariat, Arab League Committee on Somalia,
and others from the Transitional Federal Government and Union
of the Islamic Courts.


10. The two sides agreed to meet again in Khartoum -Sudan
for the third phase of the talks on 30 October 2006.


11. Present at the meeting were: the United Nations,
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),European Union,
African Union, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD). It was also agreed that the above stated
organizations would participate in the upcoming meetings that
would discuss the aforementioned issues.


12. The two sides expressed their gratitude to the people
and the Government of Sudan as well as President Omar Hassan
al-Bashir for hosting the talks and at the same time
reaffirmed their commitment in pursuance of measures to
ascertain the aspirations of the Somali people.

Dr. Abdullahi Shiekh Ismail

1st Deputy Prime Minister of the

Transitional Federal Government

Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Adow
Head of the UIC Delegation

Signed as Witness


Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sudan

Signed as Witness

Amb. Dr. Salah Abdirisak Halima
Advisor to the Secretary General of the Arab League

Done in Khartoum, Tuesday, 4 September 2006.

(End text)

-------------- --------------
3rd Round of Talks to Take Place in Khartoum Oct. 30
-------------- --------------


4. (C) The second round concluded with an agreement to
discuss power sharing, political issues, and security
arrangements at a third round to commence on October 30 in
Khartoum. Although there will not be mediators, it was
agreed that several entities would serve as observers at the
third round: UN, IGAD, AU, OIC, and EU. Local press
accounts in Arabic cite Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lam Akol as expressing trust that both sides would abide by
commitments made, and that the third round would be the last.


-------------- --------------
UIC: Presence of Foreign Troops Impedes Progress
-------------- --------------


5. (C) During a September 3 briefing of representatives from
the U.S., UK, Germany, Finland, and Sweden, as well as
Italian Special Envoy to Somalia Mario Rafaeli, EU Assistant
Field Officer for Somalia Operations Ahmed Khalif, and Arab
League Ambassador to Kenya and Special Envoy for Somalia
Salim Mohammed Salim al Khussaibi, UIC delegation head and

KHARTOUM 00002140 003.2 OF 003


Secretary General for Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Hassan Adow

SIPDIS
stated, in English, that talks were proceeding in a relaxed
environment marked by mutual respect. Misconceptions had
been cleared up, and discussion took up where it had left off
in the first round in June. His main concern was that
Ethiopian troops had entered Somalia at the TFG's invitation,
and now were present in seven or eight places within Somalia,
with human rights abuses and killings taking place. Adow
said that foreign forces had no place in Somalia, and served
only to isolate the TFG and complicate the political
situation, while threatening to expand TFG-held areas. He
doubted the presence of Eritrean forces with Somalia, and
said that they should be removed if found.


6. (C) Adow closed by inviting participants to visit
Mogadishu, which he said was now safe. The people of Somalia
are in need of immediate help, and the international
community should become involved, while remaining politically
neutral. Somalia's family is divided, and we want to make it
one again.

-------------- --------------
TFG: Committed to Agreement, Despite Serious Differences
-------------- --------------


7. (C) That same evening, Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden of the
TFG advised the same audience through translation from Arabic
that the TFG was determined and committed to a resolution of
the "serious differences" between the parties. He expressed
hopes for an agreement, and noted that the parties had been
meeting continuously since arrival in Khartoum. Aden said
the TFG aspired to the maximum achievable agreement, while
admitting that agreement could not be found for all issues.
He said the TFG delegation would not leave Khartoum without a
communique, and would consult those present if roadblocks
occurred. Aden stated that he was not aware of foreign
troops in Somalia now, and added that the need for them may
be eliminated; he had heard reports of the presence of
troops, but had not seen verification. Their presence is a
fundamental issue that has to be resolved through dialogue,
although ultimately resting with parliament.


8. (C) Aden observed that during the second round the TFG
wished to discuss political issues first, and then security
matters, while the UIC sought the opposite. After much
discussion the TFG agreed to the latter approach. The second
round of talks started with a mutual reaffirmation of the
first round's agreement; the TFG has a formula for power
sharing and is willing to accommodate the UIC. He said that
both sides regarded the presence of IGAD troops as an issue
yet to be resolved; IGAD is divided, as is the international
community. He urged the international community to be
constructive, and to speak forthrightly by asking IGAD to
accept the situation as it is. Conflict among IGAD states is
being transferred in to Somalia, he added. The TFG, he
concluded, is a weak government that cannot protect itself
from its neighbors; it is a victim of regional aggression and
insecurity.

--------------
Comment
--------------


9. (C) In both briefings, Contact Group representatives
expressed support for ongoing dialogue, a formal communique
outlining areas where progress was reached, and a commitment
by both parties to a subsequent negotiating round. Also, in
both briefings guests were made to feel welcome by their
interlocutors, with the presence of a U.S. diplomat expressly
appreciated. End comment.


10. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
HUME