Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ADDISABABA2281
2008-08-19 13:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:
ETHIOPIA OFFERS A WAY FORWARD ON SOMALIA
how-toVZCZCXRO3948 PP RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHDS #2281 2321352 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191352Z AUG 08 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1749 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002281
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SO ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA OFFERS A WAY FORWARD ON SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 2265
Classified By: CDA Deborah Malac. Reason: 1.4(B).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 002281
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SO ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA OFFERS A WAY FORWARD ON SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 2265
Classified By: CDA Deborah Malac. Reason: 1.4(B).
1. (C/NF) Summary. The MFA Acting Chief of the Minister's
Cabinet Abdetta Dribssa on August 18 passed PolOffs
Ethiopia's proposed way forward through the current
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) crisis, provided TFG
President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Hassan Hussein
Nur "Adde" are able to reconcile. Ethiopia proposed that the
TFG provide a road map with a clear timetable, increased
substantive consultations with Washington and the
international community, the establishment of TFG
administrations in Benadir and Lower Juba, and sustained
financial and material support from the international
community. End Summary.
Ethiopia's Way Forward
--------------
2. (C/NF) As reported separately (reftel),Prime Minister
Meles on August 15 gave Yusuf and Nur Adde an ultimatum that
either they figure out how to work with each other or
Ethiopia would withdraw immediately from Mogadishu.
According to Abdetta, Foreign Minister Seyoum had a plan for
moving forward if the two leaders were able to reconcile.
--First, Ethiopia would demand a roadmap from the TFG with a
clear timetable for the achievement of targeted objectives
related to governance over the remainder of the transitional
period. This timetable would lay out in detail obtainable
objectives with the expectation that the international
community would hold the TFG accountable for the plan.
--Second, Ethiopia would call on Washington and other
"friends" in the international community, particularly Great
Britain and France, to consult and develop an agreement on
how to assist the TFG in the implementation of the roadmap.
Through Abdetta, FM Seyoum asked for high-level bi-lateral
consultations regarding Somalia, and he suggested that
Washington consult with its potential partners in the
international community on how they might collaborate
together. Abdetta stressed that many governments would
follow Washington's lead.
--Third, the TFG must establish administrations in Benadir
and in Lower Juba without delay. Abdetta said that
establishing effective administrations in these areas would
prevent al-Shabaab from gaining support. He emphasized that
as long as the TFG appears weak al-Shabaab would be able to
gain territory and support. He also underscored in no
uncertain terms that Mohammed Dheere could not be part of any
new Benadir administration; Ethiopia would never accept it.
--Fourth, the international community should collectively
commit to sustained financial and material support for the
TFG's roadmap process. Abdetta stated that the support from
the international community was vital to the success of the
TFG and any hope of finding peace in Somalia.
Comment
--------------
3. (C/NF) We anticipate this request for high-level
consultation on Somalia to arise again. To date, our
response has been that the USG stands ready to work with the
Ethiopian government and others to try to bring greater
stability to Somalia. Please advise if Washington would like
us to be more forward-leaning. End Comment.
MALAC
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2018
TAGS: PREL MOPS KPKO SO ET
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA OFFERS A WAY FORWARD ON SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 2265
Classified By: CDA Deborah Malac. Reason: 1.4(B).
1. (C/NF) Summary. The MFA Acting Chief of the Minister's
Cabinet Abdetta Dribssa on August 18 passed PolOffs
Ethiopia's proposed way forward through the current
Transitional Federal Government (TFG) crisis, provided TFG
President Abdullahi Yusuf and Prime Minister Hassan Hussein
Nur "Adde" are able to reconcile. Ethiopia proposed that the
TFG provide a road map with a clear timetable, increased
substantive consultations with Washington and the
international community, the establishment of TFG
administrations in Benadir and Lower Juba, and sustained
financial and material support from the international
community. End Summary.
Ethiopia's Way Forward
--------------
2. (C/NF) As reported separately (reftel),Prime Minister
Meles on August 15 gave Yusuf and Nur Adde an ultimatum that
either they figure out how to work with each other or
Ethiopia would withdraw immediately from Mogadishu.
According to Abdetta, Foreign Minister Seyoum had a plan for
moving forward if the two leaders were able to reconcile.
--First, Ethiopia would demand a roadmap from the TFG with a
clear timetable for the achievement of targeted objectives
related to governance over the remainder of the transitional
period. This timetable would lay out in detail obtainable
objectives with the expectation that the international
community would hold the TFG accountable for the plan.
--Second, Ethiopia would call on Washington and other
"friends" in the international community, particularly Great
Britain and France, to consult and develop an agreement on
how to assist the TFG in the implementation of the roadmap.
Through Abdetta, FM Seyoum asked for high-level bi-lateral
consultations regarding Somalia, and he suggested that
Washington consult with its potential partners in the
international community on how they might collaborate
together. Abdetta stressed that many governments would
follow Washington's lead.
--Third, the TFG must establish administrations in Benadir
and in Lower Juba without delay. Abdetta said that
establishing effective administrations in these areas would
prevent al-Shabaab from gaining support. He emphasized that
as long as the TFG appears weak al-Shabaab would be able to
gain territory and support. He also underscored in no
uncertain terms that Mohammed Dheere could not be part of any
new Benadir administration; Ethiopia would never accept it.
--Fourth, the international community should collectively
commit to sustained financial and material support for the
TFG's roadmap process. Abdetta stated that the support from
the international community was vital to the success of the
TFG and any hope of finding peace in Somalia.
Comment
--------------
3. (C/NF) We anticipate this request for high-level
consultation on Somalia to arise again. To date, our
response has been that the USG stands ready to work with the
Ethiopian government and others to try to bring greater
stability to Somalia. Please advise if Washington would like
us to be more forward-leaning. End Comment.
MALAC