NIGER: COURTESY CALL BY ICRC MISSION CHIEF

UNCLAS NIAMEY 001114

DEPT FOR AF/W

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM EAID PGOV AORC ICRC NG
SUBJECT: NIGER: COURTESY CALL BY ICRC MISSION CHIEF


1. (SBU) On October 29, International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) Mission Chief Nicolai Panke paid a courtesy call on
Ambassador Allen, with DCM and RSO joining. Panke, who arrived in
Niger in August 2008, said the ICRC's staff included seven
expatriates, including one based in Agadez, and 40 local staff.
Panke is responsible for both Mali and Niger.

2. (U) Panke listed principal ICRC objectives in Niger as including
visiting detainees in prison, training security forces in observing
human rights, including international humanitarian law, and
coordinating efforts and support for the Nigerien, French, and Irish
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in-country.

3. (SBU) Panke noted although the ICRC coordinated its field travel
with the Ministries of National Defense and of Justice, it typically
sought to conduct visits without obligatory escorts to retain
impartiality. He added that Nigerien Red Cross/Red Crescent Society
needs included both training and financial resources.
ALLEN