AMB KHALILZAD MEETS SOMALI PM GEDI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000534 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS IO AND AF FOR FRONT FRONT OFFICE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2017 TAGS: UNSC PREL SO MOPS SUBJECT: AMB KHALILZAD MEETS SOMALI PM GEDI Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C/NF) SUMMARY: During a June 27 meeting at USUN, AMB Khalilzad told Somali Prime Minister Muhammad Gedi that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) needs to play a more constructive role in building Somali confidence in the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) and take immediate action to ensure humanitarian access. Without a serious commitment by the TFG on these issues, the U.S. will be unable to garner UNSC support for a more robust UN role in Somalia. PM Gedi responded that the TFG is taking action to build confidence in the NRC, but complained about the slow delivery of donor support and the unwillingness of NGOs to work with the TFG. PM Gedi asked for U.S. assistance in mobilizing logistical support to facilitate the full deployment of AMISOM forces, which would allow for a more rapid withdrawal of the Ethiopian forces. END SUMMARY. -------------- Building Somali Confidence in the NRC -------------- ¶2. (C/NF) AMB Khalilzad opened the meeting by commenting that the U.S. is concerned about continuing reports from Somali stakeholders that the TFG is not truly committed to political reconciliation. At this juncture, the TFG cannot afford the perception that underrepresented groups in Somalia are not having their interests taken into account. PM Gedi responded that he had several "very tough meetings" in Washington in which he had been given this message. PM Gedi added that the TFG had already taken a variety of measures to ensure the success of the NRC, mainly transferring the mandate of the NRC to the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee (NGRC) and declaring an amnesty for former members of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). PM Gedi added that he had met extensively with many leaders of the major clans and subclans to encourage their participation in the NRC. The only individuals excluded from the political process are "terrorists." In regard to repeated delays in the convening of the NRC, PM Gedi blamed the international community for being slow to deliver on donor assistance. Now that the donor assistance issue has been addressed, PM Gedi added, the NRC will begin as scheduled on July 15. ¶3. (C/NF) AMB Khalilzad responded that these efforts are a good start, but the unfortunate reality is that the TFG continues to suffer from a "perception problem" among UNSC members that it is not sincerely committed to reconciliation or power sharing. Several members of the UNSC are unwilling to consider further UN engagement until the TFG demonstrates that it is fully committed to the reconciliation process. AMB Khalilzad added that he had some experience with national reconciliation processes and the TFG would be well served by taking a proactive approach to power sharing, rather than having to make painful adjustments later. Likewise, PM Gedi would be wise to avoid uniting and radicalizing the opposition forces by "treating all of them as terrorists." -------------- Humanitarian Access -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) AMB Khalilzad commented that he had just been to a roundtable discussion with the leaders of several prominent multinational NGOs, in which accusations that the TFG has placed unnecessary obstacles in the way of humanitarian assistance had played a large part in the discussion. PM Gedi responded testily, commenting "The problem is there has been no functioning government in my country for over 15 years, and now these NGOs think they're the government." Rather, social services are the writ of the government and NGOs should work with the TFG to provide assistance and avoid setting up parallel structures. Furthermore, a variety of NGOs are linked to Somali businessmen and even militia leaders, who are intent on undermining the TFG. ¶5. (C/NF) AMB Khalilzad responded that he appreciated the complex role played by NGOs in post conflict situations, but the Prime Minister cannot afford accusations from prominent and respected organizations that the TFG is impeding humanitarian assistance from reaching affected populations. AMB Khalilzad encouraged PM Gedi to develop a "differentiated approach" to coordinating humanitarian assistance and advised him that the TFG would suffer politically from continued criticism on humanitarian access issues. -------------- PM Gedi: TFG Needs USUN NEW Y 00000534 002 OF 002 Full AMISOM Deployment -------------- ¶6. (C/NF) AMB Khalilzad closed the meeting by commenting that he understood the Prime Minister has an "extremely tough job" and had undertaken significant personal risk to help rebuild his country. AMB Khalilzad asked if there is anything else the U.S. can do to ensure the TFG's success. PM Gedi responded that the TFG needs U.S. assistance in facilitating the full deployment of AMISOM forces, whose progress has been hindered by the lack of logistical and technical support to troop contributing countries. PM Gedi commented that AMISOM's deployment would allow the Ethiopian forces to withdraw, which would greatly increase the legitimacy of the TFG and help it consolidate authority over Somalia. Anything the U.S. could do to facilitate AMISOM's full deployment would improve both the political and security dynamic in Somalia. AMB Khalilzad responded that the U.S. appreciated the important role played by AMISOM and would look into ways to provide assistance. KHALILZAD