Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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07NAIROBI2098 | 2007-05-16 11:14:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Nairobi |
VZCZCXRO6795 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #2098 1361114 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161114Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9741 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL |
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002098 |
1. (C) On May 14 the Ambassador met with Jean-Christophe Belliard, the Personal Envoy for Somalia of Javier Solana, EU Secretary-General. Belliard first visited Cairo and Addis Ababa before coming to Nairobi. In Addis Ababa Belliard met with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who reportedly expressed skepticism about Somalia and a desire to extricate Ethiopia from what is turning out to be a costly and intractable problem. 2. (C) According to Belliard, Meles said that Transitional Federal Government (TFG) Prime Minister Gedi has "outlived his purpose" and is not the right person for the primary job now of ensuring an inclusive political process. The removal of Gedi would best be an outcome of the National Reconciliation Congress. Meles, Belliard said, agreed that there needs to be more Hawiye in the government, including in the security services. Meles spoke to Belliard of standing up a Somali army and security services, and notably did not mention the AU Peace Support Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) or a potential follow-on UN mission. 3. (C) Belliard said the Ethiopians and the AU recognize that credible Hawiye leaders have to be a part of the political process, but they draw the line at including Hassan Dahir Aweys, Hassan al Turki, or Adan Hashi Ayrow. On the other hand, Belliard told us that when they speak in Cairo of holding an "all inclusive process" they include Aweys as a part of that process. In fact, Belliard claimed Cairo is in "permanent contact" with Aweys, and that Aweys even called Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Gheit while Belliard was meeting with Gheit. The Saudis are also in close contact with Aweys, Belliard said. 4. (C) Belliard said Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), is focused on building up AMISOM and he does not appear interested in transitioning AMISOM to a UN operation. Konare is working hard to arrange for 1,700 troops from Burundi and a battalion from Nigeria. The Ugandans are doing very well, but they need additional financial and troop support. 5. (C) Europe is a complicated family, said Belliard. Solana reportedly "discovered Somalia" on January 2 when he met with Secretary Rice. As Belliard tells the story, the Secretary opened the discussion with Somalia, a subject SIPDIS Solana was totally unprepared for. After the meeting Solana immediately worked to get up to speed on Somalia, and he tasked his staff to work closely with the U.S. to ensure close and coordinated E.U.-U.S. policy on Somalia. The Ambassador reviewed U.S. policy points on Somalia (reftel). Belliard expressed full agreement. 6. (C) Solana is concerned about the so-called Saudi initiative, the details of which remain unknown, because he wants to avoid a parallel track that puts the Islamic Courts back into the equation. Belliard quipped that some Europeans in Nairobi -- he named Italian Envoy Mario Raffaelli, the EC delegation, and the Swedes -- apparently still view the Islamic Courts as rightfully deserving a role in a political solution. Belliard, and the Ambassador, agreed that bringing the Islamic Courts into the political dialogue would prove to be a distraction and do nothing but lend legitimacy to a spent force. RANNEBERGER |