SENATOR BILL NELSON (D-FL) MEETS WITH PRIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 001658 SIPDIS LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KE SUBJECT: SENATOR BILL NELSON (D-FL) MEETS WITH PRIME MINISTER ODINGA Classified By: Ambassador Michael Ranneberger for reasons 1.4 (b and d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) met on June 30 with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The two discussed continuing USG-GOK cooperation in combating terrorism and security threats to Kenya presented by ongoing lawlessness in Somalia. Odinga discussed his recent trip to Washington and the need for continued USG financial support as Kenya recovers from its recent political crisis. Regarding domestic Kenyan politics, Odinga admitted to facing challenges in making the Grand Coalition government work, but stated he was satisfied with how the government is functioning. Sen. Nelson and Odinga agreed that Kenya's example of negotiating a solution to political crisis could be applied to Zimbabwe. The two agreed that a stronger political stand by African Union could bring President Mugabe to the negotiating table. End Summary. -------------- Attendees -------------- ¶2. (C) Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) met on June 30 with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The meeting was also attended by: Amos Kimunya - Minister of Finance GOK Salim Lone - Spokesman, Office of the Prime Minister Ambassador Michael Ranneberger - US Ambassador to Kenya Dan McLaughlin - Deputy Chief of Staff for Sen. Nelson Caroline Tess - Staff Member, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Keith Bean - US Embassy notetaker -------------- --- USG-GOK Anti-terror and intelligence cooperation -------------- --- ¶3. (C) Senator Nelson expressed his appreciation for GOK cooperation in combating terrorism, calling the level of cooperation between Kenyan and American intelligence services very good. Odinga stated that GOK's anti-terror interest is complementary with USG interests. He stated that, having suffered the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and terrorist attacks in Mombasa in 2002, "Kenya understands what terrorism means." Odinga pointed out that the lack of government in neighboring Somalia presents a security threat to Kenya, leading to small arms being smuggled into Kenya and the possibility of "bad people" crossing the porous border between the two countries. Ambassador Ranneberger praised �A;the Kenyan military for its role in closing the border when the Islamic Courts government fell in 2006. Ambassador Ranneberger highlighted ongoing USG material and training assistance to Kenyan security forces, allowing them to keep Kenya safe from terrorism and maintain border security. -------------- Continued U.S. Support to Kenya Needed -------------- ¶4. (U) Recounting his recent trip to Washington, Prime Minister Odinga was impressed by the reception he received in Washington and had high praise for the "wonderful program" organized for him. Odinga stressed the importance of American assistance during the recent crisis. He also asked that this support be continued and enlarged. Ambassador Ranneberger reminded Odinga that a USD 75 million supplemental funding request for Kenya had been submitted recently to Congress. Senator Nelson noted that, if an appropriations bill is passed by the end of the current administration, there is a good chance this request will be granted. Senator Nelson observed that there is a good feeling in the U.S. Congress towards Africa, pointing to the success of the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief and NAIROBI 00001658 002 OF 002 the Millennium Challenge Corporation. -------------- Odinga on the Grand Coalition -------------- ¶5. (C) The Grand Coalition government is working fairly well, according to Odinga. He pointed out the challenges the government faces in implementing this new project. For example, several ministries were divided to form the new cabinet and this created some confusion, but the parties had recently defined the responsibilities of each ministry. He noted that government had recently held a bonding workshop for ministers to instill a sense of collective responsibility. The ministers are making "good progress" toward working together, according to Odinga. Odinga stated that there is now a "clear separation of powers between the President and Prime Minister." Regarding his relationship with President Kibaki, PM Odinga stated that the two consult constantly, and meet weekly for mutual briefings on their activities and plans. ¶6. (C) PM Odinga agreed with Senator Nelson that a key challenge was for each side of the coalition government to get its people to cooperate. Odinga pointed out that some in his own party believed he had been cheated at the power-sharing negotiations. Odinga stated that a major challenge is managing the expectations of his parliamentarians, many of whom aspired to be ministers. President Kibaki told Odinga that he faces the same issues with his followers. -------------- Zimbabwe: Tougher African Union Stance Needed -------------- ¶7. (U) Turning to Zimbabwe, Odinga agreed with Senator Nelson that the Kenyan model of a negotiated solution to political crisis could be applicable in Zimbabwe. Calling the situation "grave and embarrassing," Odinga added that a tougher African Union (AU) stance is needed to bring Mugabe to the negotiating table. Noting that an AU Presidents' Summit was taking place that day in Cairo, Odinga suggested that the AU should suspend Mugabe until a solution was found and appoint a team to help find a negotiated settlement to the crisis. Inaction would give Mugabe legitimacy he does not deserve, added Odinga. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) The meeting took place in a friendly relaxed manner. Clearly Odinga sees the U.S. and Senator Nelson as a friend to Kenya. After the meeting, Senator Nelson, Prime Minister Odinga, and the Ambassador addressed the media. The meeting garnered wide media coverage. At the press conference, Odinga repeated his tough stance on Zimbabwe. This was picked up by local and international media. Note: This message was cleared by Senate Select Committee on Intelligence staff. End Note. RANNEBERGER