1. (U) On January 11, Acting Senegalese Minister of Foreign
Affairs Claude Absa Diallo told Charge that Senegal will
participate in the Liberia Partners' Forum (reftel) and plans
to make at least a symbolic pledge to underscore Senegal's
support for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's government.
Johnson Sirleaf visited Dakar in December and was the main
attraction at the Foreign Ministry's annual diplomatic gala.



2. (C) Ambassador Diallo thought Liberia might be discussed
at the African Union summit at the end of January in the
context of transferring peacekeepers from Liberia to Cote
d'Ivoire, where national reconciliation is not advancing and
"no progress is being made toward elections."



3. (C) Diallo and Charge also discussed recent events in
Bissau. Both were concerned about rising political and
religious tensions following the murder of former Navy Chief
of Staff Lamine Sanha and former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes
Junior's assertions that President Joao Bernardo "Nino"
Vieira was responsible.
JACKSON