DJIBOUTI: RESPONSE TO PIRACY CONTACT GROUP DEMARCHE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000998

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM/PPA AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2018
TAGS: DJ MOPS PBTS PHSA PTER SO
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: RESPONSE TO PIRACY CONTACT GROUP DEMARCHE

REF: A. STATE 129941

B. DJIBOUTI 950

Classified By: Amb. J. Swan for reasons 1.5 (b)(d).


1. (C) Summary: On Dec. 13, Ambassador delivered to
Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Youssouf Ref A demarche
on U.S. objectives for the Dec. 16 UNSC Ministerial on Piracy
and proposal to form a Contact Group. Youssouf said he had
already been informed of the Ministerial by PermRep Roble
Olhaye, and welcomed the initiative to give greater impetus
to UNSC action on the piracy problem. The USG approach
largely tracks with GODJ views, although Youssouf urged
greater emphasis on measures to fund and build the capacity
of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to act
against the pirates. End summary.


2. (C) Youssouf was pleased that many of the elements of
the USG approach closely match proposals in a GODJ policy
paper made public by his Ministry on Dec. 6 (scanned and sent
to AF/E and AF/RSA). Among the points in common are the
emphasis on a "holistic approach" that addresses not only the
maritime symptoms but also the land-based root causes of
piracy; the need for greater coordination of the multiple
international efforts to combat piracy; the importance of
tracing and curtailing financial transactions linked to
pirates; and the imperative for a robust public diplomacy
component to the counter-piracy program. Youssouf welcomed
the proposal that interested international actors also
address the challenges of illegal fishing and environmental
threats offshore Somalia.


3. (C) Echoing previous comments he has made on this issue
(Ref B),Youssouf said that a lasting solution to the piracy
problem must include funding and capacity-building to give
the TFG a force to conduct counter-piracy operations on land
and in coastal areas. He said that without such "national
solutions" the international community is likely to expend
significant resources without producing a durable end to the
problem. In a similar vein, he expressed general concern
that "contact groups" often are little more than excuses for
meetings that eat up time and resources but produce little
concrete action. He appeared somewhat mollified by
assurances that this is not the intent, that we plan rapid
senior-level follow-up to the Dec. 16 Ministerial, and that
the TFG is also being invited to participate in the group.
He also reacted favorably to the information that the Contact
Group concept would be endorsed -- at least in general terms
-- in the planned UNSCR on piracy.


4. (C) Comment: As a neighboring country and one whose
future development depends on the success of its deepwater
port and new container handling facilities, Djibouti is
deeply concerned by the problem of piracy and eager to
cooperate in international efforts to address the problem.
The GODJ position will likely continue to stress that the
long-term solution is to be found in Somalia through efforts
to achieve peace and stability and to give the TFG the
security capacity to deal on its own with the pirates.
SWAN