Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NAIROBI213
2007-01-12 05:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
ICRC LETTER ON SOMALIA
how-toVZCZCXRO6307 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #0213 0120549 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 120549Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6602 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000213
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET KE
SUBJECT: ICRC LETTER ON SOMALIA
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000213
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET KE
SUBJECT: ICRC LETTER ON SOMALIA
1. On January 11 Embassy Nairobi received a letter from the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) informing the
USG that the ICRC considers U.S. actions in Somalia to be
governed by the rules applicable to situations of
non-international armed conflict. Full text follows in para
2.
2. Begin Text:
The Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) in Nairobi presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to
draw its attention to the following.
The ICRC is of the opinion that the military operations
carried out by the American forces in the context of the
armed conflict currently taking place in Somalia are governed
by the rules applicable to situations of non-international
armed conflict.
The ICRC as promoter and custodian of international
humanitarian law, and pursuant to the specific mandate
conferred on it by the international community, wishes to
recall the Government of the United States of America that
military operations must be conducted in accordance with
Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and customary
principles and rules applicable in such situations of
non-international armed conflicts. The annexed memorandum
sets out fundamental provisions of international humanitarian
law that must be respected. Similar documents have been
communicated on 24.12.06 to the Transitional Federal
Government of Somalia, on 25.12.06 to the Government of
Ethiopia and on 24.12.06 to the Somali Islamic Courts Council.
The ICRC is confident that the Government of the United
States of America will take every measures required to
facilitate the humanitarian action of the ICRC and to respect
its obligations under international humanitarian law.
The International Committee of the Red Cross avails itself of
this opportunity to convey to the Embassy of the United
States of America in Nairobi the assurance of its high
consideration.
Nairobi, January 9, 2007
End Text.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET KE
SUBJECT: ICRC LETTER ON SOMALIA
1. On January 11 Embassy Nairobi received a letter from the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) informing the
USG that the ICRC considers U.S. actions in Somalia to be
governed by the rules applicable to situations of
non-international armed conflict. Full text follows in para
2.
2. Begin Text:
The Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) in Nairobi presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to
draw its attention to the following.
The ICRC is of the opinion that the military operations
carried out by the American forces in the context of the
armed conflict currently taking place in Somalia are governed
by the rules applicable to situations of non-international
armed conflict.
The ICRC as promoter and custodian of international
humanitarian law, and pursuant to the specific mandate
conferred on it by the international community, wishes to
recall the Government of the United States of America that
military operations must be conducted in accordance with
Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and customary
principles and rules applicable in such situations of
non-international armed conflicts. The annexed memorandum
sets out fundamental provisions of international humanitarian
law that must be respected. Similar documents have been
communicated on 24.12.06 to the Transitional Federal
Government of Somalia, on 25.12.06 to the Government of
Ethiopia and on 24.12.06 to the Somali Islamic Courts Council.
The ICRC is confident that the Government of the United
States of America will take every measures required to
facilitate the humanitarian action of the ICRC and to respect
its obligations under international humanitarian law.
The International Committee of the Red Cross avails itself of
this opportunity to convey to the Embassy of the United
States of America in Nairobi the assurance of its high
consideration.
Nairobi, January 9, 2007
End Text.
RANNEBERGER