UNSC -- GOI ON ERITREA/UN AND SOMALIA PIRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000430 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, IO/PSC FOR TANAZ KHAMBATTA, IO/PSC FOR ERIN CROWE, AF/E NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2018 TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO ID ER SO SUBJECT: UNSC -- GOI ON ERITREA/UN AND SOMALIA PIRACY REF: A. STATE 21218 ¶B. JAKARTA 0365 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Pol/C reviewed Ref A points regarding Eritrean interference with the UNMEE mission. Our GOI contact agreed that Eritrean behavior was a serious problem and that steps must be taken. Further to Ref B, he also noted that the Indonesian government had reviewed our points regarding the problem of piracy off the Somali coast and wanted to continue to work closely with us on ways to address the situation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Per Ref A instructions, Pol/C reviewed with Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) contact talking points regarding Eritrea's interference with the UNMEE peacekeeping mission. Pol/C noted that Eritrean actions were unacceptable and aggravate an already dangerous situation. Given Eritrea's failure to comply with the UNSC's demands to end its restrictions on UNMEE, the USG believes that the Security Council will need to meet soon to adopt a resolution on the future of the UN role in the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict. We are willing to explore other ideas and would appreciate Indonesian advice. ¶3. (U) Pol/C also reviewed points with DEPLU's Office of International Security Affairs. ¶4. (C) Dicky Ferdian, the Head of the Africa Section at DEPLU, replied that the Indonesian government shared these concerns. Eritrea was not fully cooperating and that was a negative for peace in the region. The GOI was more than willing to work with the USG on possible next steps, including discussing a possible new resolution. ¶5. (C) Ferdian added that DEPLU had carefully reviewed USG points regarding the problem of piracy off Somalia's coast (see Ref B). Indonesia shared USG concerns and wanted to continue to work closely with USUN on ways to address the situation. HUME