Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ALGIERS234
2007-02-21 17:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:  

"FINAL" ADC AND MALI AGREEMENT SIGNED IN ALGIERS

Tags:  PREL PINR PINS PGOV ML AG 
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VZCZCXRO3535
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAS #0234 0521737
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 211737Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3082
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 1637
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 6489
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS ALGIERS 000234 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR PINS PGOV ML AG
SUBJECT: "FINAL" ADC AND MALI AGREEMENT SIGNED IN ALGIERS

REF: A. 2006 ALGIERS 1278 (NOTAL)

B. 2006 BAMAKO 1359 (NOTAL)

UNCLAS ALGIERS 000234

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR PINS PGOV ML AG
SUBJECT: "FINAL" ADC AND MALI AGREEMENT SIGNED IN ALGIERS

REF: A. 2006 ALGIERS 1278 (NOTAL)

B. 2006 BAMAKO 1359 (NOTAL)


1. (U) On February 20 in Algiers, the government of Mali and
the Democratic Alliance for Change (ADC) signed a "final"
agreement on the disarmament and reintegration of the Tuareg
rebels in northern Mali. Malian Minister of Territorial
Administration Kone Kafougouna and ADC Secretary General Iyad
Ali signed in the presence of Algerian FM Bedjaoui what was
described by the Algerian press as an agreement implementing
the broader terms agreed to between the parties in July. The
accord reportedly included provisions on the incorporation of
ADC forces into Malian security units. According to ADC
spokesman Akbibi Akmada and Algerian Ambassador to Mali
Abdelkrim Ghrib, the security units will be empowered to deal
with "any armed foreign presence" on Malian soil, including
al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),as the GSPC is now
called. Ghrib, who served as the mediator between the
signatories and was present at the signing ceremony, noted
that Algeria might help equip the new security units.


2. (U) According to press reports, the agreement also
encompassed assistance for 3,000 "marginalized" Tuaregs,
including the provision of Algerian aid for construction of a
camp to house 3,000 people at Kidal. In addition, Algeria is
prepared to contribute to a special fund aimed at
reintegrating youth in northern Mali. Malian Minister
Kafougouna publicly touted the new "confidence" between the
ADC and government of Mali. ADC delegation member Mohamed
Aharib for his part said the ADC was "very confident and full
of hope" that the February 20 agreement represented the
"finalization of the (peace) process." Aharib praised in
particular the funds to be set aside for youth as a means to
address the socioeconomic problems of the region. ADC
spokesman Akmada added that the stability of Mali and the
region was very important and thanked Algeria for its
steadfast mediation. He shied away from answering questions
on the "sensitive" issue of ADC disarmament, but underscored
the ADC's desire to lay down its arms and participate in the
next Malian legislative and presidential elections.


3. (SBU) Comment: We pushed February 21 for information on
the agreement from the MFA's Africa division, only to be told
late in the day that the division was working to clear
guidance to brief foreign officials. We will attempt to get
the briefing when it is available.
FORD