Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RABAT419
2007-03-02 20:25:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
GOM SAYS NIGER ASKS FOR HELP VS TERROR GROUP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0419 0612025 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 022025Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6007 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 4341 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 1145
S E C R E T RABAT 000419
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG, AF FOR RSA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2017
TAGS: PTER PTBS MOPS AL MO NG
SUBJECT: GOM SAYS NIGER ASKS FOR HELP VS TERROR GROUP
INFILTRATING FROM ALGERIA
Classified By: Polcouns Craig Karp. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(S/NF) MFA Africa Chief Abdelatif Bendahane (strictly
protect) told Polcouns Feb. 26 that the GOM had been
approached by the president of Niger for assistance in
dealing with a group of terrorists. They had entered Niger
from inside Algeria, not far from the Libyan border.
(Comment: These could be possibly newly branded Al-Qaeda in
the lands of the Islamic West, i.e. ex-GSPC, but he did not
specify.). The Niger government has sent a letter asking the
GOM for arms and other material assistance to deal with these
terrorists. Bendahane was transmitting this to his Minister
and anticipated some type of positive response, but asked
that this be kept close hold as he was not authorized to
convey it. He implied, less credibly, that the Algerians
somehow knew what this group was up to.
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Riley