REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM SOMALI PRIME MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002190 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2026 TAGS: PREL PINS EAID SO KE SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM SOMALI PRIME MINISTER REF: STATE 77563 Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (C) Embassy Nairobi received May 16 a letter from Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi requesting, in general terms, U.S. support for the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Post has sent a generic interim response expressing USG support for the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and for efforts to bring peace to Mogadishu. ¶2. (C) As Post prepares its response to reftel, we request more specific feedback from Washington on what tangible support to the TFIs may be possible in the near term. As the TFIs continue to exhibit signs of durability, however subtle, they will need more noticeable encouragements for progress than our simple statements of good will. Other players in the international community are noticeably increasing their engagement with the TFIs, including high-level travel into Somalia. Post is able to engage with TFI officials, and USAID REDSO is able to conduct a certain level of activity with partners operating inside Somalia, but our travel restrictions and development assistance hurdles place us on an unequal footing with our international counterparts, some of whom can exert a notably negative influence over the direction of events in Somalia. It is becoming clear that we must consider a higher level of engagement, both in our political contacts and our development activities, if we are to maintain a proportional voice in international interactions with the TFIs. Such engagement will not be possible without Washington-level decisions on how to deal with existing restrictions on direct assistance to the TFIs. ¶3. (U) Following is the text of the Prime Minister's letter: Dear Ambassador Bellamy, The strategic vision and planning for the transitional period is to secure an enabling environment that sustains in Somalia a lasting peace which leads to democratic elections, national recovery and regional integration, through the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement signed in Eldoret (Kenya) in October 27, 2002 and also in October 10, 2004, and the attainment of a cohesive, accountable and adequately resourced Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of the Republic of Somalia at the services of its Somali citizens. The Transitional Federal Government of Somalia cannot materialize the above objectives unless it gets substantial support from the friendly organizations and countries like the United States of America. The immediate priorities which require US Government intervention are the following: Reconciliation Political/diplomatic recognition Security, protection of natural resources and conflict resolution Cpapcity building for the Transitional Federal Institutions Health and education sectors Humanitarian assistance As a matter of fact, conflict resolutions can be achieved through compromise but it requires a grantor of the process. To this end, only a super power like the US Government can be a mediator/grantor of such a process to reward and encourage those abiding by the terms of the compromise or to impose punitive measures and sanctions against the violators of the process. Therefore, the international community support with the leadership of the US Government is an absolute necessity for the security and stabilization of Somalia. Please accept, Mr. Ambassador, the assurances of my highest consideration. Ali Mohamed Gedi Prime Minister BELLAMY