EU SUPPORTS NEW OBSERVERS FOR SOMALIA CONTACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L USEU BRUSSELS 002708 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF/E:NGAREY E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV SO EUN SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTS NEW OBSERVERS FOR SOMALIA CONTACT GROUP WITH CAVEATS REF: STATE 111993 Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Vincent Carver for reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) A European Commission official said the EC supports the bids of Canada and Yemen for Permanent Observer status in the International Contact Group on Somalia, though it would like Canada to clarify its potential financial contributions to AMISOM and the reconstruction of Somalia. Jeremy Lester, Head of Unit for East Africa and the Horn of Africa, told Poloff that Commission officials believe both Canada and Yemen are "useful" countries to have on the Contact Group. The Commission will support their inclusion at the planned September meeting in Rome. ¶2. (C) The Commission's support for the new members is tempered with concern that expanding the Contact Group risks making it unwieldy and ineffective. Lester said the Commission will encourage the Contact Group to focus on being operational and not just an international assembly for lengthy discussions. MURRAY .