"FINAL" ADC AND MALI AGREEMENT SIGNED IN ALGIERS

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