SWEDISH VIEW ON SECURING PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001019 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV SW SO SUBJECT: SWEDISH VIEW ON SECURING PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS FOR CANADA AND YEMEN IN THE SOMALIA ICG REF: STATE 111933 Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman, reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Polcouns discussed 8/17 reftel proposal to secure Permanent Observer status in the International Contact Group on Somalia (ICG) with MFA Special Adviser for the Horn of Africa Ambassador Marika Fahlen. Fahlen, who is Sweden's representative to the ICG, had no objection to the participation of Canada and Yemen, but believed these counties had already been treated as members in earlier ICG meetings and it would be inappropriate to give them now the label of Permanent Observers. ¶2. (C) Fahlen said Sweden had circulated a proposal to the ICG in January 2007 on rules for its membership and procedures. Fahlen said the ICG meeting in London had shown it was not clear who was an ICG member and who was not. Fahlen made several observations regarding the ICG membership list provided reftel, questioning the presence of some (Kenya -- as a front-line state, and Tanzania -- originally included as the African UNSC member) and the absence of others (including South Africa -- a UNSC member with a stake). Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) Sweden was taken by surprise by the British objections to new ICG membership voiced in London. Although the Swedes have no objection to Canada or Yemen, and believe they can play useful roles in the ICG, they seek clarification on membership rules and procedures. WOOD