LIBYAN VIEWS ON REGIONAL AFRICA DEVELOPMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TRIPOLI 000568 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/MAG, AF/SPG E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/2/2016 TAGS: PINS PREL PGOV KDEM SU SO LY SUBJECT: LIBYAN VIEWS ON REGIONAL AFRICA DEVELOPMENTS REF: A) STATE 164613 B) STATE 162369 CLASSIFIED BY: Elizabeth Fritschle, Pol/Econ Chief, United States Embassy, DOS. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Ali Treki, Under Secretary of African Affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation (de facto MFA),called in Charge on October 1 for a discussion of regional African issues. Treki said that Foreign Minister Shalgam instructed him to reach out to the U.S., U.K. and France to learn more about their perspectives. Charge noted the Africa-related discussions between Secretary Rice and Shalgam at UNGA, and shared a copy of the Secretary's 9/27 speech at the Africa Society. Charge urged Treki to consider that a peacekeeping force under UN aegis could be comprised in a way that would not catalyze terrorist activity in central Africa. The Libyans continue to emphasize their belief that "rehatting" the AU troops could spark a terrorist threat against "non-Africans" involved in peacekeeping operations. ¶2. (C) Treki said that Libya continued to encourage strengthening of the AU forces and that the AU Peace and Security Council agreed to send a few thousand more troops, perhaps from Tanzania and Botswana. He also said Libya might give 70 million dollars in additional support, and that the UAE and Algeria had been approached for additional funding. "Don't apply too much pressure, the U.S.-Sudanese relationship must be carefully managed," Treki continued. The U.S. is in too much of a hurry to apply Chapter 7 and "we don't like that at all," Treki exclaimed, arguing that Chapter 6 could be used to persuade the Sudanese to take gradual steps. ¶3. (C) Noting the divisions within almost all groups and negotiating parties, Treki said that when delegations traveled to Tripoli, the Libyans encouraged them to implement the CPA. He said that the Libyans were trying to organize another round of Tripoli-based negotiations and mentioned receiving a letter from Mini Minawi the last week of September. Treki said that past Libyan engagement had significantly reduced cross-border tension between Chad and Sudan. ¶4. (C) Asked about recent developments in Somalia, Treki said that Sheikh Ibrahim visited Libya for the African Union Anniversary on 9/9 and stayed for 2-3 days. He characterized the Islamic Courts as controlling most of Somalia and "they are not fanatics, not linked to radical elements, they only want to end the crime and chaos brought about by the warlords." Treki believed that Ibrahim and his associates would continue dialogue with the TFIs and hold elections. According to Treki, Ibrahim and other Somalis strongly oppose Ethiopian troop presence, particularly given past history. He said he told PM Malas it would not be helpful to send troops. ¶5. (C) Referencing talks in Eastern Sudan, Treki said that Libya encouraged those negotiations. While Libya didn't have a representative participating, he believed "it shouldn't be difficult to reach agreement on how the government can development infrastructure and share power in Eastern Sudan." Acknowledging ongoing divisions among the negotiating parties, he didn't feel that the talks in Eastern Sudan would exacerbate longstanding rivalries and was hopeful that it might help move forward other tracks. ¶6. (C) Treki asked Charge to relay a request to Washington that the U.S. government refrain from engaging with "subgroups" of the African continent. Citing a proposed November China-Africa Summit, Treki said the Libyans oppose this type of engagement as inappropriate and "humiliating". He said Libya was also against any proposed India-Africa, France-Africa activities since it was off balance to have one country in discussions with one continent. It would only be appropriate for summits to be held between the EU and the AU or similar regional organizations. He said Libya submitted a resolution to the AU calling for broad cooperation, noting that an AU summit with Latin American countries was in the planning stages. (COMMENT: Treki's comments are a variant on Libya's continuing rhetoric calling for Africans to reject outside influence and assistance programs. END COMMENT.) ¶7. (C) Similarly, Treki said diplomats at the Libyan People's Bureau (Embassy) in Washington appreciated a recent State Department briefing on U.S. regional objectives in Africa. However, he urged reconsideration of geographical divisions; "Libya takes issue with subdividing Africa, we don't like the terminology North Africa or Sub-Saharan Africa." He said Libya would also present resolutions at international organizations to eliminate these distinctions. (NOTE: The Libyans have told senior-level Department visitors that they believe Libya, along with the rest of north Africa, should be included in an Africa-wide bureau instead of NEA. They feel the present arrangement treats them as separate from their African colleagues. END NOTE.) BERRY