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