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)

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SUMMARY
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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.

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Attendees
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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

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USG-GOK Anti-terror and intelligence cooperation
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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
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.

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Continued U.S. Support
to Kenya Needed
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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

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the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

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Odinga on the Grand Coalition
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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.

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Zimbabwe: Tougher African
Union Stance Needed
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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.

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COMMENT
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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