Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LONDON1459
2008-05-27 10:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy London
Cable title:  

UK AND SOMALIA: CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF UN PKO

Tags:  PREL KPKO UNSC XW SO UK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3671
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHLO #1459 1481037
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271037Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8746
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0386
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1194
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001459 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NAIROBI FOR SOMALIA SECTION

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC XW SO UK
SUBJECT: UK AND SOMALIA: CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF UN PKO
DEPLOYMENT

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons
1.4 (b/d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001459

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NAIROBI FOR SOMALIA SECTION

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: PREL KPKO UNSC XW SO UK
SUBJECT: UK AND SOMALIA: CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF UN PKO
DEPLOYMENT

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Maura Connelly for reasons
1.4 (b/d).


1. (C/NF) Summary. The UK is cautiously supportive of
deploying a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) in
Somalia, when the conditions are right, FCO counterparts tell
us. HMG sees clan leader buy-in of a UN presence and
increased UN engagement, including moving the Political
Office to Mogadishu, as key pre-conditions. Protecting the
UN's peacekeeping reputation and being practical about force
generation are critical concerns. The UK hopes to host the
next Somalia Contact Group in September to "establish the
critical path forward." End Summary.

Deploying a UN PKO, When Conditions Are Right
--------------


2. (C/NF) Describing UN Security Council Resolution 1814 on
an integrated strategy for peace in Somalia as a "step in the
right direction," FCO East Africa and Horn Section Team
Leader Ben Lyon told us May 23 deployment of a UN
peacekeeping force in Somalia is a UK government "policy
priority," but only when the conditions are right. Lyon said
the UK sees two key factors for determining the right time to
deploy a UN PKO. First, the UN mission must have buy-in from
the key clan leaders, demonstrating genuine acceptance of the
UN mission and a shift in the current tribal rhetoric about
the UN. Second, the UN must step up its engagement in
Somalia, including more frequent, high-level visits and
relocating the Political Office to Mogadishu. According to
Lyon, "the Somali people need to think the UN is helping
them." Lyon said that UNSCR 1814 would form the base of the
UK's script on Somalia and that the UK would continue to
advocate with Somali interlocutors that eventual deployment
of a UN PKO would be a way to get Ethiopia out of Somalia.

Protecting the UN's Peacekeeping Reputation
--------------


3. (C/NF) FCO Peacekeeping Team Leader Nicola Murray called
UNSCR 1814 "forward leaning," especially on deployment of a
UN peacekeeping force. From her perspective it was important
to protect the reputation of UN PKOs, which had been severely
damaged by the difficulties with force generation for the
United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
It was difficult to see a clear role for a UN PKO in Somalia
as there is "no peace to keep," she said, and questioned how
the UN would generate the force and what countries would
volunteer troops. She was clear, however, that the UK will
continue its financial support for the African Union Mission
in Somalia (AMISOM). Although HM Treasury has not yet
determined final figures for the UK's contributions to
peacekeeping operations for fiscal year 08/09, Murray thought
UK funding for AMISOM would be on par with last year's
funding. She also thought EU funding would be similar to
last year's levels.


4. (C/NF) Cabinet Office Africa Desk Officer Anna French said
May 20 the UK hopes to convene the next Somalia Contact Group
meeting in London in September. Although discussions about
the agenda were still on-going, she thought it would largely
be along the lines of the June 2007 meeting, a discussion "to
establish the critical path forward."

Comment
--------------


5. (C/NF) While there is currently UK policy support for
moving toward a UN PKO in Somalia, concerns about the
practicalities of force generation may be a serious obstacle
when it actually comes to mandating a deployment. The UK
feels exposed, both internationally and domestically, because
of the difficulties with UNAMID deployment in Darfur, and it
will not want to put itself in a similar position with
Somalia. Teeing up troop contributions and other practical
support before concluding a UN PKO mandate on Somalia may
alleviate concerns and facilitate UK support. End Comment.

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