Somalia - Meeting with President Yusuf

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002326 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON PASS TO A/S FRAZER E.O. 12958: DECL: 060517 TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL SO SUBJECT: Somalia - Meeting with President Yusuf CLASSIFIED BY AMB FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D ¶1. (C) Summary. During a June 5 meeting, President Yusuf welcomed as positive the joint A/S Frazer/Lord Triesman letter to him and agreed with its key points, including on the need for inclusive reconciliation on an urgent basis. Yusuf promised to send a written communication to the Contact Group laying out key points. End summary. ¶2. (C) Following up on the joint letter from A/S Frazer and the UK's Lord Triesman to Somalia President Yusuf, I met Yusuf (jointly with the UK High Commissioner) on June 5 when he transited Nairobi en route back to Mogadishu. ¶3. (C) Supported by the High Commissioner, I reviewed key points in the letter. I started by noting the strong statement we issued in reaction to the assassination attempt against PM Gedi and offered our support for the investigation. I stressed the need to move forward urgently on national reconciliation, including opening the Congress without further delay. I emphasized our support for Yusuf's continuing outreach to the Hawiye leadership council and to the sub-clans, and indicated that we were also in contact with key Hawiye leaders to emphasize the need to respond constructively. I underscored that - while we will continue to pursue efforts against terrorists as demonstrated by the recent actions in Puntland - the only way to bring about a stable security situation is through inclusive national reconciliation. Once achieved, reconciliation will marginalize radicals and terrorists seeking to disrupt the Somali political process. I emphasized the need for the national reconciliation congress to deal with key issues related to power-sharing and the way forward for the 2009 transition. I stressed the importance of ensuring the independence of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Ali Mahdi. I expressed appreciation for Yusuf?s efforts to cooperate in delivery of humanitarian assistance. ¶4. (C) Yusuf referred to the three points raised in the Frazer/Triesman letter, demonstrating that he had reviewed it carefully. He made the following key points: -- There is a narrow window of opportunity to achieve reconciliation, which is the only way to ensure security. "We need to marginalize the terrorists," Yusuf said. He added that "the terrorists come from many different sub- clans; it was an Abgal who carried out the suicide attack against Gedi. The problem is that radicals among the sub- clans do not listen to their elders, so it is difficult to control them." -- Funding is urgently needed so that the Congress can start on time. (The High Commissioner and I noted the funding that we are providing.) The High Commissioner said he would push his EU colleagues on the funding issue. -- Yusuf said he will do what the joint letter requests (re dialogue and reconciliation),and he will respond quickly. -- He will continue dialogue with both the Hawiye leadership council and the sub-clans. "I have been meeting daily with the Ayr," he said. -- He specifically stated that the Congress can and should discuss political issues, including power-sharing (but without changing the Transitional Federal Charter),and the preparations for the 2009 transition. -- Yusuf said he strongly supports the independence of Ali Mahdi and his reconciliation committee. He said that, contrary to speculation, PM Gedi also supports their independence. -- He reiterated that any Somali leader who renounces violence can participate in the Congress. ¶5. (C) The Ambassador suggested that it would be helpful for Yusuf to send a written message to the Contact Group laying out these points. Yusuf said that he would do so. We are following up with his staff. RANNEBERGER