Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI2063
2006-05-11 15:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

SOMALIA: BRIEFING THE INTERNATIONALS

Tags:  PREL PINS PTER EAID PGOV SO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHNR #2063/01 1311517
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111517Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1615
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002063 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2026
TAGS: PREL PINS PTER EAID PGOV SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: BRIEFING THE INTERNATIONALS


Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Reasons 1.4
(B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002063

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2026
TAGS: PREL PINS PTER EAID PGOV SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: BRIEFING THE INTERNATIONALS


Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Reasons 1.4
(B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Bellamy briefed a small group of
ambassadors and special envoys on U.S. policy toward
Somalia on May 9. The group responded largely favorably to
the briefing, with several finding areas of convergence
between their policy priorities and ours. In response to
concerns that a short-term counterterrorism focus could
imperil long-term governance goals, the Ambassador
emphasized that our efforts to eliminate the foreign
terrorist threat inside Somalia were occurring concurrently
with efforts to empower Somali governing institutions. We
believe this meeting has opened the door to more productive
coordination, commensurate with the anticipated expansion
of our activities, with our counterparts on Somalia
issues. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) The Ambassador was invited by the Special
Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia
Francois Fall to address a session of the international
contact group on Somalia on May 9. (NOTE: The contact
group was established by Fall shortly after his arrival to
serve as a discussion and advisory body smaller in scale
than the international community group that meets regularly
to discuss Somalia. END NOTE.) Present at the meeting
were the Austrian ambassador (attending as current
president of the European Union),the European Commission
head of delegation, the Swedish deputy chief of mission,
the Arab League special envoy for Somalia, the Arab League
ambassador to Somalia, the African Union special envoy for
Somalia, and the Kenyan ambassador to Somalia.


3. (C) The Ambassador provided the group an overview of
current U.S. policy toward Somalia. Drawing on the outcome
of the Deputies Committee meeting, the Ambassador outlined
our priorities in the areas of security, humanitarian
assistance, and institution building. He discussed the
extent of our concern about the small number of foreign Al
Qaida members finding sanctuary in Mogadishu, our

willingness to work with anyone in Somalia who would help
counter the terrorist threat, and our recent meeting with
Ayr community leaders about weeding out the destructive
foreigners in their midst. He acknowledged that the best
long-term solution to the terrorist threat is to have a
functioning Somali government, but the known activities and
capabilities of the Al Qaida operatives are strong
arguments against waiting for this ideal end-state. The
Ambassador also informed the group of the extent of our
assistance activities, both current and projected,
highlighting the $80 million in food aid provided thus far
this year in response to the drought. He emphasized that
we want to support the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG),but for a variety of reasons are unable to do so
directly. We are, however, prepared to discuss individual
projects and issues, such as piracy, on which we may be
able to engage through mechanisms other than direct support
to the government. The Ambassador in particular emphasized
our desire to explore how more effective linkages can be
established between groups in Mogadishu and the TFG.


4. (C) Responses to the Ambassador's remarks were generally
favorable. The Arab League saw this meeting as the opening
of a new chapter in dealing with Somalia and urged the
group to work together to provide moral support to the
fledgling governing institutions. The European Commission
representative emphasized the need to work with the Somali
Parliament. He further suggested that meetings such as
this be continued on a regular basis. The Kenyan
ambassador noted that the institutions in place are the
best possible in Somalia at the moment, and all engagements
should be directed through them. He expressed Kenya's
concerns about the expansion of radical Islam in Somalia,
particularly as extremists were re-establishing themselves
close to the Kenyan border.


5. (C) The African Union envoy presented the only overt
criticism of the U.S. ordering of priorities. He expressed
concern about placing the short-term counterterrorism
strategy ahead of the long-term goal of strengthening
governance. The short-term goal, he believed, was damaging
the long-term and the consolidation of the TFG instead needs
to
take priority. The Swedish representative agreed on the
need to empower the government, but sought to identify
constructive ways of achieving this as a common group. He
urged the group to identify ways of reaching out to the
renegade ministers in Mogadishu and urge them to play a
constructive role. He suggested that international

NAIROBI 00002063 002 OF 002


engagement on developing the National Security and
Stabilization Plan (NSSP) could serve as an entry point to
facilitate dialogue between the Baidoa and Mogadishu
groups.


6. (C) The Ambassador assured the meeting participants that
the U.S. agrees about the need to do everything possible
now to empower the TFG. He emphasized the limits on what
the international community could achieve, noting that we
could offer encouragement and incentives for positive
political behavior, but ultimately Somalis must make the
changes necessary to create a functioning government. He
expressed interest in the suggestion that the internationals
try to use the NSSP as a tool for engagement. The Ambassador
also inquired of the group whether they thought the TFG could
serve a useful mediating role in the current conflict in
Mogadishu. Regarding the recent fighting, he advised that we
had conveyed messages to the Mogadishu warlords requesting
that
they not undertake any offensive moves. He reiterated that
the
U.S. is not attempting to combat all extremists in Somalia,
only
a small, tight group of foreigners.


7. (C) COMMENT: Although very low key, this meeting was an
excellent opportunity to inform international partners of
our policy direction, dispel misinformation, and lay the
groundwork for future cooperation. From this foundation,
we hope to engage in follow-on discussions to determine
what coordinated approaches may be possible to advance
those goals we and our international counterparts have in
common. END COMMENT.

BELLAMY