Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
07BANJUL197 | 2007-04-17 15:28:00 | SECRET | Embassy Banjul |
VZCZCXRO8177 RR RUEHLMC DE RUEHJL #0197 1071528 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 171528Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7463 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0013 RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2// |
S E C R E T BANJUL 000197 |
1. (U) Following February reports that The Gambia and Iran would soon exchange embassies (ref a), GOTG officials confirm the official opening April 15 of The Gambian Embassy in the Iranian capital. We are told that Gambian Foreign Minister Bala Garba Jahumpa headed the GOTG's delegation at the event. The Gambian Ambassador is former Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Lamin Kaba Bajo. At the opening ceremony, Iranian media quoted GOI Foreign Minister Mottaki as saying Tehran would open its Embassy in Banjul "in the near future." EXPANDING GAMBIAN/IRANIAN TIES -------------------------- 2. (S) The Embassy's opening underscores the expanding Gambian/Iranian relationship following Iranian President Ahmadinejad's attendance at the GOTG-hosted African Union Summit here in July 2006. Subsequently, in December/January, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh exchanged visits with Ahmadinejad, and the two sides signed various economic and other cooperation agreements. As previously reported (ref a), there is currently a small Iranian military training mission here; we note reporting in other USG channels indicating a recent Iranian arms shipment to The Gambia. According to a knowledgeable source, Iranian commercial activity, involving Lebanese-origin Shia residents, in particular, has expanded considerably here in recent months. TIES WITH VENEZUELA -------------------------- 3. (S) Like Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan President Chavez attended the July 2006 AU Summit here at the Gambian leader's personal invitation (ref b). Compared to the Iranian relationship, though, the development of Gambian/Venezuelan ties has proceeded at a more modest pace in past months. Following the Summit, there was talk of a commitment by Chavez to supply oil to The Gambia at concessionary prices, but, to our knowledge, the Venezuelans have yet to provide any such oil-related assistance. (COMMENT: Per ref a, the Iranians, by contrast, have provided some oil-related aid, according to reporting in other USG channels. END COMMENT) On April 12, the Gambian National Assembly ratified a bilateral "framework agreement on cooperation," whereby the two sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in a wide array of areas, ranging from energy to military affairs, but made no mention of specific projects. The local media gave lavish coverage to Dakar-based Venzuelan Ambassador Eddy Jose Cordova-Corega's presentation of credentials, also on April 12. COMMENT -------------------------- 4. (C) It is likely that the mercurial Gambian President initially reached out to Iran and Venezuela as part of his angry reaction to the USG's June 2006 suspension of The Gambia's eligibility for the Millenium Challenge Account program due to slippage in the GOTG's performance on various eligibility criteria, particularly in the area of human rights and governance. So far, as Jammeh has pursued links with Ahmadinejad and Chavez, the GOTG has indicated its desire to maintain cooperation with us in such key areas as counterterrorism. Whatever Jammeh's intentions, though,his overtures to Iran and Venezuela make clear that his reliability as a partner on CT or other areas cannot simply be taken for granted. END COMMENT. STAFFORD |