SOMALIA: FOLLOW-UP ON RESTRUCTURING THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041385 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: FOLLOW-UP ON RESTRUCTURING THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP REF: STATE 16168 ¶1. (U) This is an action request, please see paragraph 2. OBJECTIVES -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Posts are asked to approach host countries and relevant international organizations to pursue the following objectives: -- Inform participants of the International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia that a broad consensus has been reached regarding the need to restructure the ICG to ensure its effectiveness as both an action-oriented group and as a coordinating mechanism; and -- Notify ICG participants that the hand over to the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) as Chair of the Contact Group will take place following the next high-level meeting on April 30 in Oslo. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (SBU) ICG participants have agreed to our initial approach to restructure the ICG (reftel) by turning over the chairmanship to UN SRSG Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, who has agreed to assume chair after the ICG's next meeting. Since early March, the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, and European Commission have participated in several conference calls to discuss the structure of a reformed ICG, during which it was agreed that Norway would host the next high-level ICG meeting to facilitate the hand-off to SRSG Ould-Abdallah. It was also agreed that the SRSG must have maximum flexibility under the restructured ICG to establish sub-groups under the ICG on specific issues or initiatives, as well as bring new participants into these sub-groups, to best achieve specific policy goals. While ICG members may have a desire to participate in certain sub-groups, it will be up to the SRSG to determine the composition of these groups. ¶4. (SBU) Posts are asked to inform host country and regional organization counterparts that a consensus has been reached and will be implemented following the next high-level ICG meeting in Oslo on April 30. Norway extended invitations to this meeting on Tuesday, April 15. Countries and organizations invited to participate in the April 30 meeting are: the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, Yemen, Canada, Ethiopia, the African Union, the United Nations, the Arab League, the European Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia has also been invited to address the ICG. Posts may wish to draw from the following points when informing host country and regional organization counterparts. ¶5. (SBU) Begin Points. -- A broad consensus has been reached among ICG participants regarding the need to restructure the ICG to ensure its effectiveness as both an action-oriented group and as a coordination mechanism for the international community. -- The UN SRSG, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, is also comfortable with this approach and is prepared to take the lead of the ICG after its next high-level meeting. -- Norway will host the next high-level meeting in Oslo on April 30. You should have received an invitation from Norway on or about April 15. The agenda for this meeting will be focused on achieving concrete outcomes on key issues and challenges in Somalia. STATE 00041385 002 OF 002 -- Following the transition to the SRSG as the lead of the ICG, the SRSG will have the discretion to include new participants in ICG discussions, as well as determine the composition and focus of any sub-groups under the ICG. ICG efforts at the local level will be coordinated from Nairobi, or eventually from Somalia, with regular briefings to the ICG capitals. -- We appreciate the continued support of our ICG partners in achieving lasting peace and stability in Somalia, and look forward to working closely with all ICG participants to support a positive outcome through a restructured ICG. End Points. REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶6. (U) Department greatly appreciates Post's engagement on this issue. Please report results of this effort via front-channel cable to AF/E Nole Garey by Monday, April 28. Posts are requested to include the SIPDIS caption on their response cables. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶7. (U) Please contact AF/E Nole Garey at (202) 647-8284 or via e-mail for any necessary further background information or argumentation to meet our objectives. RICE