Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE71963
2008-07-03 20:08:00
SECRET
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE: SUSPENSION OF MILITARY ENGAGEMENTS

Tags:  PREL MASS MARR PHUM PGOV NG 
pdf how-to read a cable
P R 032008Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 
INFO SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD-ISA-AF//
CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE//
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
-------

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