ADMIRAL HUNT DISCUSSES SOMALIA AND MILITARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000096

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2017
TAGS: PREL MASS PTER PARM SO YM
SUBJECT: ADMIRAL HUNT DISCUSSES SOMALIA AND MILITARY
ASSISTANCE WITH YEMENI SECURITY FORCES

REF: A. SANAA 31

B. 2005 SANAA 2817

Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D).


1. (C) Summary: On January 21, visiting Combined Joint
Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Commander Rear Admiral
Richard Hunt and Ambassador met with Defense Minister
Mohammad Nasser Ahmed Ali to discuss Somalia and
military-military cooperation. Ali expressed concern that
violence in Somalia would lead to increased terrorist
activity in Yemen and voiced ROYG support for efforts to
create a stable and inclusive Somali government. RADM Hunt
also met with Interior Ministry officials Colonel Yahya
Saleh, Commander of the Central Security Force, and Brigadier
Ali Rasa'a, Chairman of the Yemen Coast Guard (YCG). Both
expressed their appreciation, saying Yemen's success against
terrorism would not have been possible without USG
assistance. End Summary.

-------------- -
MOD on Somalia: Cooperation Needed to Prevent
"Terrorist Swamp"
-------------- -


2. (C) Ali expressed appreciation for the December 2006
visit of several top Yemeni military officials to the United
States, adding that USG support helps "improve military
skills and the bilateral relationship." Ali especially
welcomed more cooperation on Somalia. "We expect terrorists
to return" to Yemen, he said, so the military strengthened
its presence along the Gulf of Aden to prevent Somali
extremists from escaping to Yemen. RADM Hunt thanked the
ROYG for its support on Somalia, noting that President
Saleh's "excellent" suggestion to Assistant Secretary Frazer
during a recent visit (ref A) to refrain from disarmament
until security was established was well-received by the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG).


3. (C) RADM Hunt shared that the USG supported a
three-pronged approach to securing stability: 1) Capturing
remaining Al-Qaeda and extremist Council of Islamic Courts
(CIC) elements in southern Somalia; 2) Providing security in
major cities and creating an inclusive government; and 3)
Restoring humanitarian assistance. Ali voiced support for
the strategy, stressing that the international community
could not afford to "make the same mistakes again" and allow
Somalia to become a "terrorist swamp." Director of Military
Intelligence Siyani added that the TFG must not become "a
government of ex-warlords" and should reach out to CIC
moderates.


4. (C) Ambassador noted that there was now "a real
opportunity" to bring lasting peace, which Somalia and the
international community cannot waste. Hunt added that donor
support would be crucial, including the creation of a
stabilization force under the African Union and public
support for the TFG, especially from the Arab League. Ali
anticipated that Arab League presidents would soon discuss
possible support for the TFG, but stated that Yemen would not
provide troops for the stabilization force because UNSCR 1725
prevents participation by surrounding countries.


5. (C) In response to Ambassador's question on the current
refugee situation, Ali noted that the number of Somali
refugees decreased dramatically since the end of December,
which he attributed to the military's "stricter policies."
(Comment: Ali is likely referring to the increased military
presence along the Gulf of Aden coast and a December 27, 2006
incident in which the Yemeni Navy and smugglers exchanged
gunfire, resulting in the capsizing of one boat and the
disappearance at sea of another. UNHCR estimates the number
of confirmed and presumed dead at about 150. End Comment)
Ali said, however, that Yemen
continues to grant refugee status to Somalis who reach the
shore.

-------------- --------------
Counterterrorism Success Stories: CSF-CTU and YCG
-------------- --------------


6. (C) In a separate meeting, Commander Yahya Saleh thanked
the USG for its support to the Central Security Force -

SANAA 00000096 002 OF 002


Counterterrorism Unit (CSF-CTU),saying its successes against
Al-Qaeda (ref B) would not have been possible without the
training and equipment provided under the Foreign Military
Financing program. RADM Hunt commended the "courage and
skill" of the elite unit's soldiers, saying the United States
was committed to supporting their efforts. Saleh, a nephew
of President Saleh, noted that other Yemeni agencies were
beginning to recognize the unit's abilities, but more
cooperation was needed, especially in terms of intelligence.
Saleh expressed frustration with the lack of cooperation from
the intelligence services, especially when the CSF-CTU is
asked to execute a mission on short notice with incomplete
intelligence. He hoped to soon organize a seminar, with U.S.
and British support, to bring together the CSF-CTU and the
intelligence services to explore ways to improve the flow of
information.


7. (C) YCG Chairman Rasa'a also expressed his appreciation
for USG support and anticipated that the YCG would soon
complete establishing bases in the Aden and Bab al-Mandeb
region, giving them control of over 500 kilometers of coast.
(Note: Both the CSF-CTU and YCG were established and
developed under the FMF program, and have quickly become
Yemen's most capable security forces. End Note).



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