Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI2165
2006-05-17 13:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
U.S. ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE FIGHTING IN
how-toVZCZCXRO8020 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHNR #2165/01 1371346 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 171346Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1771 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 002165
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2026
TAGS: PREL PTER PINS SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S. ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE FIGHTING IN
MOGADISHU
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 002165
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2026
TAGS: PREL PTER PINS SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S. ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE FIGHTING IN
MOGADISHU
Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Reasons 1.4
(B) and (D).
1. (C) Extensive press reports, including the front-page
piece in today's Washington Post, convey the misleading
impression that the USG is funding warlords to fight
extremists in the streets of Mogadishu as part of the Global
War on Terrorism. Initial fighting in February between the
Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Combat Against
Terrorism (Alliance) and the Union of Islamic Courts (Union)
was sparked by an attack by Union forces on Alliance members.
Fighting began again May 7 after Union forces came out of
their own areas to attack Alliance members. The week's
fighting may have caused as many as 150 deaths, mainly
civilians. Fighting has largely stopped as Union forces are
running out of ammunition and Alliance forces have blocked
their supply routes. Traditional elders brokered a ceasefire
on May 14.
2. (C) U.S. spokespersons have correctly noted on many
occasions that the U.S. works with a wide array of partners
in Somalia, in Mogadishu and elsewhere, in efforts to bring
to justice al-Qaida terrorists harboring in Somalia. The
al-Qaida terrorists in Mogadishu, few in number, constitute
the core of the AQ East Africa cell. They masterminded and
directed the bombing of our Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es
Salaam in 1998, the twin attacks near Mombasa in 2002, and
the planned attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in
2003. The extremists protecting them today are those leading
the fighting in Mogadishu under the banner of the Union.
Despite this title, the extremists represent but a small
fraction of the Islamic courts operating in Mogadishu.
3. (C) In the past two weeks, Embassy Nairobi has consulted
repeatedly with the Somali President, Prime Minister, and
Speaker of the Parliament to discuss possible approaches by
the Transitional Federal Government to mediate between the
two sides in this conflict. We have coordinated these
consultations with the United Nations' Special Representative
of the Secretary General for Somalia. While the conflict has
currently subsided, such mediation will be necessary to
arrive at a long-term solution to the fighting. Ideally,
this role will also serve to strengthen the nascent
Transitional Federal Government.
4. (SBU) Post proposes the following press guidance in
response to public queries or assertions regarding our role
in Mogadishu:
- The U.S. Government did not instigate, nor does it support,
the fighting in Mogadishu.
- We have issued both public and private appeals for an end
to the fighting.
- We support the ceasefire brokered by local elders, which
appears to be generally holding.
- This fighting serves no one's interest except that of the
Islamic extremist militias, who are attempting to gain
territory in Mogadishu and to destabilize Somalia's fledgling
governing institutions.
- We stress that the United States has no objection to
Islamic courts, or other independent voluntary organizations,
providing support for and necessary services to the
long-beleaguered people of Somalia. We do not oppose any
specific clan or sub-clan in Mogadishu.
- The United States is in close, ongoing contact with the
Transitional Federal Government in Somalia. We have
discussed with the President, Prime Minister, Parliament
Speaker and other officials of the TFG ways to end the
fighting in Mogadishu. We have also met with members of the
business community and have contact with a number of
different Somali clans.
- We are in close contact as well with the United Nations
Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia and
SIPDIS
are coordinating with him appeals to cease fighting.
- Several members of the Alliance for the Restoration of
Peace and Combat Against Terrorism (ARPCAT) are also
parliamentarians and cabinet ministers. We urge them to take
up their governing responsibilities and join with the
President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and other TFG
officials in efforts to counter extremism and stabilize the
situation in Mogadishu.
NAIROBI 00002165 002 OF 002
BELLAMY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2026
TAGS: PREL PTER PINS SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S. ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE FIGHTING IN
MOGADISHU
Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Reasons 1.4
(B) and (D).
1. (C) Extensive press reports, including the front-page
piece in today's Washington Post, convey the misleading
impression that the USG is funding warlords to fight
extremists in the streets of Mogadishu as part of the Global
War on Terrorism. Initial fighting in February between the
Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Combat Against
Terrorism (Alliance) and the Union of Islamic Courts (Union)
was sparked by an attack by Union forces on Alliance members.
Fighting began again May 7 after Union forces came out of
their own areas to attack Alliance members. The week's
fighting may have caused as many as 150 deaths, mainly
civilians. Fighting has largely stopped as Union forces are
running out of ammunition and Alliance forces have blocked
their supply routes. Traditional elders brokered a ceasefire
on May 14.
2. (C) U.S. spokespersons have correctly noted on many
occasions that the U.S. works with a wide array of partners
in Somalia, in Mogadishu and elsewhere, in efforts to bring
to justice al-Qaida terrorists harboring in Somalia. The
al-Qaida terrorists in Mogadishu, few in number, constitute
the core of the AQ East Africa cell. They masterminded and
directed the bombing of our Embassies in Nairobi and Dar es
Salaam in 1998, the twin attacks near Mombasa in 2002, and
the planned attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in
2003. The extremists protecting them today are those leading
the fighting in Mogadishu under the banner of the Union.
Despite this title, the extremists represent but a small
fraction of the Islamic courts operating in Mogadishu.
3. (C) In the past two weeks, Embassy Nairobi has consulted
repeatedly with the Somali President, Prime Minister, and
Speaker of the Parliament to discuss possible approaches by
the Transitional Federal Government to mediate between the
two sides in this conflict. We have coordinated these
consultations with the United Nations' Special Representative
of the Secretary General for Somalia. While the conflict has
currently subsided, such mediation will be necessary to
arrive at a long-term solution to the fighting. Ideally,
this role will also serve to strengthen the nascent
Transitional Federal Government.
4. (SBU) Post proposes the following press guidance in
response to public queries or assertions regarding our role
in Mogadishu:
- The U.S. Government did not instigate, nor does it support,
the fighting in Mogadishu.
- We have issued both public and private appeals for an end
to the fighting.
- We support the ceasefire brokered by local elders, which
appears to be generally holding.
- This fighting serves no one's interest except that of the
Islamic extremist militias, who are attempting to gain
territory in Mogadishu and to destabilize Somalia's fledgling
governing institutions.
- We stress that the United States has no objection to
Islamic courts, or other independent voluntary organizations,
providing support for and necessary services to the
long-beleaguered people of Somalia. We do not oppose any
specific clan or sub-clan in Mogadishu.
- The United States is in close, ongoing contact with the
Transitional Federal Government in Somalia. We have
discussed with the President, Prime Minister, Parliament
Speaker and other officials of the TFG ways to end the
fighting in Mogadishu. We have also met with members of the
business community and have contact with a number of
different Somali clans.
- We are in close contact as well with the United Nations
Secretary General's Special Representative for Somalia and
SIPDIS
are coordinating with him appeals to cease fighting.
- Several members of the Alliance for the Restoration of
Peace and Combat Against Terrorism (ARPCAT) are also
parliamentarians and cabinet ministers. We urge them to take
up their governing responsibilities and join with the
President, Prime Minister, Parliament Speaker and other TFG
officials in efforts to counter extremism and stabilize the
situation in Mogadishu.
NAIROBI 00002165 002 OF 002
BELLAMY