Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANAA175
2007-01-31 13:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

REAR ADMIRAL HUNT DISCUSSES SOMALIA AND SECURITY

Tags:  PREL MASS PTER PARM SO YM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3615
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHYN #0175/01 0311313
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 311313Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6282
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000175 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: PREL MASS PTER PARM SO YM
SUBJECT: REAR ADMIRAL HUNT DISCUSSES SOMALIA AND SECURITY
WITH ADEN OFFICIALS

REF: SANAA YM 101225Z

Classified By: DCM NABEEL KHOURY, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000175

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: PREL MASS PTER PARM SO YM
SUBJECT: REAR ADMIRAL HUNT DISCUSSES SOMALIA AND SECURITY
WITH ADEN OFFICIALS

REF: SANAA YM 101225Z

Classified By: DCM NABEEL KHOURY, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary: On January 22, visiting Combined Joint
Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander Admiral
Richard Hunt traveled to Aden to meet with the governor and
local security officials. Governor Ahmed al-Kohlani
expressed appreciation for USG support to the Yemeni Coast
Guard, saying security was crucial to Aden's economic
development. Southern Regional Military Commander MG Madhi
Maqwala expressed support for US efforts to stabilize Somalia
and hoped an international peacekeeping force under the
African Union would soon be deployed. Colonel Lotf
al-Baraty, Director of the Yemeni Coast Guard (YCG) - Aden
District, thanked the USG for its support and briefed the
Admiral on the YCG's expansion plans. End Summary.

--------------
Governor: "Aden Deserves Our Cooperation
--------------


2. (C) Governor Kohlani told Hunt that "security
cooperation is excellent" in the Aden province, especially
with the Yemeni Coast Guard. He hoped to expand cooperation
with the United States to economic development, saying "Aden
deserves our cooperation." He noted that the people of Aden
appreciate USG support because they want to prevent another
incident like the 2000 USS Cole attack and the resulting
economic devastation the attack caused for the Aden port.


3. (C) On Somalia, Hunt stressed that the Transitional
Federal Government (TFG) must take advantage of the current
opportunity by controlling warlords and establishing an
inclusive government. Kohlani agreed, saying that Aden
acutely felt the impact of Somali instability because of the
large numbers of refugees living throughout the province. He
hoped that the TFG would soon create a national army out of
the various tribes, so that the Ethiopian troops could
withdraw from Somalia.

-------------- --------------
Military District Commander: "Do Not Leave Somalia Alone"
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Hunt provided a short brief of USG efforts on
Somalia, saying he hoped that an African Union stabilization
force could soon be deployed to Somalia in support of an
inclusive federal government. Maqwala agreed, adding that
the Ethiopian forces must withdraw immediately so they are
not viewed as "occupiers." Maqwala expressed confidence that
once security was established with a strong national army,
the Somali people and the Arab League would rally behind the
government. "Do not leave Somalia alone," he cautioned, or
instability would return.


5. (C) Maqwala said that his primary concern with Somalia
was the large number of refugees living in the Aden province,
but noted that some refugees, especially TFG supporters, were
returning to Somalia. He was unaware of any plans from the
Ministry of Defense to increase security around Aden, as was
done in the Eastern Military Region where the majority of
refugees arrive to Yemen (ref A).

--------------
YCG: Expansion Plans on Target
--------------


6. (C) Colonel Baraty expressed appreciation for USG support
through the Foreign Military Financing program, including a
recent two-week training course in Aden on boat operation and
maintenance. While cooperation is excellent, he hoped that
the United States could provide more training opportunities
to lower ranking and enlisted officers, especially on
maintenance. Office of Military Cooperation Chief replied
that Post was exploring the possibility of providing a
full-time advisor to satisfy that request.


7. (C) Baraty briefed Hunt on the YCG's expansion plan in
the Aden District. He anticipated that the majority of new
bases would be operational by the end of 2008, giving YCG
control over 550 kilometers of coast. Baraty also said that
a Vessel Trafficking System, being constructed with funding
from the Italian government, should be completed in the Aden

SANAA 00000175 002 OF 002


District by the end of 2007, boosting YCG's efforts to secure
the crucial shipping lanes in the Bab al-Mandeb.



8. (U) This cable was cleared by Rear Admiral Hunt.
KRAJESKI