PRE-BRIEF ON UPCOMING AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT -

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 000163 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS AU SUBJECT: PRE-BRIEF ON UPCOMING AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT - JANUARY 22-31, 2007 ¶1. (U) AU will meet again on January 19 to finalize preparations for Summit. ¶2. (U) Restricted access: the plenary hall will be limited to head of delegation plus one, although up to 5 plus one can watch on TV monitors for sessions. ¶3. (U) USAU submitted to Ethopian protocol the following: Ambassador Courville plus USAU staff; Assistant Secretary Frazer plus 2 staff. ¶4. (U) Ethiopians will accept scanned photo and copy of passport pages for delegation members not yet in Ethiopia - last day for badge issuance will be January 22. Badges will be available for pickup on January 25; same date will be the first day for "car passes." ¶5. (U) Venue: The UN building (UN Economic Commission for Africa) will be the site for the AU Summit. ¶6. (U) Tenative Schedule: January 29 afternoon - Science Technology for Development two presentations: President Wade of Senegal, Minister of AU Council of Ministers on Science and Technology President Kagame (Ppossibly presentation by Zimbabwe's Callisto Madavo) Secondary Theme: "Climate Change in Africa" UK's Sir Nicholas Stern UNESCO Director General presenting ¶7. (U) AU noted that the theme of "Climate Change in Africa" was added to the first theme as it had special resonance with development in Africa. Remarks/open debate will follow. ¶8. (U) Observer Issues: Request for greater access to AU papers produced at the Summit. AU said until the AU Council issued a final document, text including Chairpersons report were considered "working" documents which all participants are forbidden to share or distribute. ¶9. (U) Request for readout for Permanent Observers during and after Summit: It was noted that Chairperson Konare had not provided the requested readout after the Banjul Summit. Request for daily briefings on what transpired, much as AU does for press corps. Request for readout by Chairman Konare immediately following the Addis Summit. Losistical Problems: Partners noted heavy traffic problems as well as restrictive security are expected in Addis Ababa. Request for alternate street routes for permanent observers to access the summit sites in a timely manner. Ethiopia is expected to close many roads as up to 30 heads of State are expected to attend Summit. Unsuccessfully, partners asked for more access to papers. ¶10. (U) Integration of NEPAD/Harmonization of RECs: Some progress seen on NEPAD integration into AU, with group of 5 to meet ahead of AU Summit, then group of 20 member states to review and Submit top Summit. REC harmonization was seen by AU as "politically alarming" so reduction in number at this Summit unlikely until member states and the REC officials are comfortable. A first step will be more harmonizing of programs and activities. COURVILLE YAMAMOTO