THE GAMBIA: NIA HEAD REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO

S E C R E T BANJUL 000033

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DAKAR PLS PASS RAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC PREL PGOV GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: NIA HEAD REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO
COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION

REF: 05 BANJUL 779 ET AL

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B, C, AND D)


1. (S/NF) Ambassador, accompanied by SIMO/DAKAR chief, paid
introductory call January 17 on Pa Jallow, recently appointed
to head the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) as Director
General (see reftel for previous reporting on Jallow's
appointment). Ambassador stressed that the GOTG had long
served as a valued partner in the Global War on Terrorism
(GWOT) and that we would continue to do our part to promote
our counterterrorism (CT) cooperation. At the same time, he
continued, we needed to be sure that the Gambian side also
continued to value our partnership on CT and would also do
their part to maintain it.


2. (S/NF) Jallow, who displayed awareness of specific
bilateral CT efforts, responded without hesitation that the
GOTG remained committed to our CT relationship. He
emphasized that the Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh, had
personally instructed him to maintain the cooperation. The
NIA head went on to express gratitude for U.S. aid to the NIA
and remarked, "we know that we must earn your assistance,"
i.e., via the NIA's contribution to joint CT activities.


3. (S/NF) COMMENT: Jallow's reaffirmation of the GOTG's
commitment to our CT relationship is positive, but it goes
without saying that we will need to continue our careful
monitoring of the NIA's behavior. Jallow assumed charge of a
NIA beset by turmoil following the failed coup plot in March;
there are signs that Jallow is acting decisively to stabilize
NIA operations and personnel and thereby ensure that it
remains an effective partner in the GWOT. As for President
Jammeh, his increasingly erratic behavior -- including his
overtures to Iran and Venezuela -- and his ongoing
resentment at the U.S. over loss of MCA eligiblity in June
2006 -- indicate that his reliability as a partner on CT
cannot simply be taken for granted. END COMMENT



4. (S/NF) Specific CT programs discussed in the meeting will
be reported in SIMO channels.
STAFFORD