AMBASSADOR COURVILLE'S MEETING WITH CORE GROUP ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000191 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL IO MOPS SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR COURVILLE'S MEETING WITH CORE GROUP ON SOMALIA ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. During a January 23 USAU hosted initial meeting of Partners of the African Union (AU), representatives discussed how to support the AU and Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to deploy to Somalia. The following delegations were represented: Canada, European Union Commission, France, Germany, Italy, NATO, and the United Kingdom. ¶2. (U) Core Group representatives agreed that in order to create a conducive environment for AMISOM to deploy in the short term that: (1) there has to be a political process in parallel with the military deployment; (2) the current UNSC Resolution 1725 had to be revised to authorize the deployment of an AMISOM vice IGASOM force to Somalia and that the updated/revised UNSC Resolution 1725 make no mention of a follow-on UN mission to allow for quick passage; (3) that the UNDPKO send representatives to the AU immediately to assist in planning the deployment; (4) that the Core Support Group be inclusive vice exclusive to garner maximum regional and international support; (5) the delegates regroup after the AU Summit for further discussions. ¶3. (U) The Core Support Group representatives agreed that there has to be a political process in parallel with the military deployment. An inclusive broad based political process that allowed participation of the business community, academics, the Diaspora, women,s groups, etc., would offer the basis for genuine reconciliation, stability, and increased international support. ¶4. (U) The current UNSC Resolution 1725 had to be revised to authorize the deployment of an AMISOM vice IGASOM force to Somalia and that the updated/revised UNSC Resolution 1725 make no mention of a follow-on UN mission to allow for quick passage. The German Ambassador drew on the conclusions of the Somalia-Council of the European Union, which met on 22 JAN, to state that the EU is ready to consider positively the scope to provide support for AMISOM including authorization by the UN. EU delegates were in agreement that the updating of the UNSC Resolution 1725 would be in agreement with Somalia-Council conclusions. All delegates present were in general agreement that by omitting any reference to a follow-on UN mission to the AMISOM deployment it would allow for speedier passage. ¶5. (U) It is critical to instruct UNDPKO in additional to sending representatives to the AU for Darfur that also immediately send planners to assist in planning the deployment. USAU Ambassador stated that the AU must strengthen its capacity and that there was now a small window of opportunity to do so. The UK Ambassador stated that the AU needed to transfer political will into practical help. He stressed and many of the other EU delegates agreed, that the AU needed to prioritize short-term requirements, provide detailed lists of needs, determine what it will take for 6-month self-sustainment, develop an achievable timeline for deployment. He continued that Chairman Konare had requested that UNDPKO come to Addis quickly to assist in the deployment planning process. All members were in agreement that UNDPKO immediately send representatives to the AU to augment the planning cell and oversee the rapid deployment of the Ugandan force to Somalia. ¶6. (U) Core Support Group representatives agreed that participation/membership should be inclusive vice exclusive to garner maximum regional and international support. There was initial discussion by the German Ambassador concerning membership in the CSG. Who should belong? What were the rules of membership? The delegates discussed the possible inclusion of the Arab States, African countries, China and Russia. Agreement was reached that the CSG would operate on an open forum. If other partner/donors requested to participate in the CSG, they would be welcome. ¶7. (U) The Core Support Group delegates agreed to regroup after the AU Summit, which concludes on 31 JAN 2007, for further discussions. ADDIS ABAB 00000191 002 OF 002 COMMENT: I recommend that IO/USUN draft limited revised language for UNSC resolution 1725 that simply states that the UN authorizes the deployment of AMISOM. It should also be noted that the UK expressed a willingness to explore the possibility of supporting Nigeria. COURVILLE YAMAMOTO