Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAMAKO627
2008-07-07 14:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bamako
Cable title:  

TRIPARTITE MEETING ON ALGIERS ACCORD IMPLEMENTATION

Tags:  PREL MARR AG ML 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1087
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHBP #0627 1891438
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 071438Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAMAKO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9402
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS 0458
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0311
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0170
RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000627 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG JAMES FLOWERS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA DAN EPSTEIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR AG ML
SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE MEETING ON ALGIERS ACCORD IMPLEMENTATION

REF: STATE 71472

Classified By: Ambassador Terence P. McCulley for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BAMAKO 000627

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG JAMES FLOWERS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA DAN EPSTEIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2018
TAGS: PREL MARR AG ML
SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE MEETING ON ALGIERS ACCORD IMPLEMENTATION

REF: STATE 71472

Classified By: Ambassador Terence P. McCulley for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

1.(C) Ambassador spoke July 3 with Algerian Ambassador to
Mali Abdelkarim Gheraib regarding the proposal in reftel.
Ambassador underlined US support for standing up mixed
special units to contribute to security in Mali's far north,
but noted that the Malian leadership was cautious about
providing training and equipment to groups that had mounted
active rebellion against the government. The Algerian
Ambassador concurred, but noted that Algeria believed the
special units to be a critical element to secure buy-in from
the leadership of the Tuareg rebels to returning to the
framework of the Algiers Accords. Ambassador Gheraib
understood the US position regarding the organization of a
tripartite meeting, and said he would advise his government
to issue invitations to the United States and Mali. He
welcomed further discussion with the US on security issues in
the Sahel.

2.(C) Comment: While it is useful to work with Algeria on
security in northern Mali, we need to be extremely careful
about adopting the Algerian vision for the special units.
Ambassador Gheraib understands that the special units must
perforce be mixed contingents, firmly integrated into Mali's
national security forces, but -- viewed from Bamako -- it
seems that other elements of the Algerian government see the
units as all-Tuareg forces that could be deployed as
surrogates against AQIM. The Malian leadership is deeply
skeptical of this latter vision, and in a farewell call on
July 3 with the Ambassador (septel),President Toure
expressed concern about the "multiple desertions" by Tuareg
rebels such as Hassan Fagaga (the commander of the first
special unit Mali established following the conclusion of the
Algiers Accords). The Malians can likely be persuaded to
engage with us on the creation of the special units, but they
will not agree to a force outside the command and control of
the army or national guard, and they will insist that the
units have both Tuareg and southern Malian members.
LEONARD