DEMARCHE: SUSPENSION OF MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS

S E C R E T STATE 071963 E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018 TAGS: PREL MASS MARR PHUM PGOV NG SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: SUSPENSION OF MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS REF: A)STATE 30547B)NIAMEY 608 Classified By: Classified By: Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd J. Moss, Reasons: 1.4(a) and (d) SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: Demarches were made to the GON by Ambassador Allen (Ref. A),and Deputy Assistant Secretary Todd Moss (Ref. B) insisting on a credible and open investigation into extrajudicial killings by the Nigerien military in December 2007. To date, we have not received any evidence of appropriate action by the GON. As a consequence, we are suspending most military-to-military engagements with the GON as outlined below. We expect to review this situation in a few months. With appropriate GON actions, we hope to re-engage with the GON but without such actions, we will consider suspending additional programs. OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶2. (S/NF) Concern over human rights abuses and the fact that the military unit involved was U.S.-trained led to the demarches insisting on a credible and open investigation by the GON. USG reaction also included immediate suspension of any activity with the unit in question pending completion of the investigation. Policy decisions on further military training have been postponed while we awaited GON action. We have given the GON ample notice and opportunity to address this serious situation without result. It is important now to followup our clear message on our position with concrete actions. Our objective with this demarche is to communicate to the GON which military programs we are suspending and why, and what actions the GON will have to undertake in order for the United States to re-engage on those programs. ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶3. (S/NF) At the earliest opportunity, the Ambassador should seek a meeting at the highest appropriate level within the GON and make the following points: --We have approached you on several occasions regarding human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings, including the incident occurring on December 9, 2007. --We have seen no evidence of the investigation that you have promised, or serious steps toward accountability. --As a result, the following consequences are now being implemented: The following military-to-military engagements between the United States and Niger are immediately suspended (Note: Post may want to give examples of Title 10 and Title 22 programs. End note.) ¶1. All Title 22 train and equip activities, including African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) ¶2. All IMET activities ¶3. All Nigerien participation in non-Title 10 USG military-sponsored or funded conferences and exercises --Excluded from these suspensions are Expanded-IMET activities, humanitarian activities, and counter-mining training. --This issue will be re-visited in the next several months and if no progress is made, we will consider additional suspensions. --We look forward to resolution of this issue and re-engagement on these activities pending a credible and public GON investigation into the December 9, 2007 incident. --We remain fully supportive of Niger's democratic progress and agree that deepening mechanisms for government accountability are critical for its future success. RICE