Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USEUBRUSSELS299
2008-02-25 16:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USEU Brussels
Cable title:
EU SUPPORTS RESTRUCTURING ICG ON SOMALIA
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UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 000299
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/E NGAREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV SO EUN
SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTS RESTRUCTURING ICG ON SOMALIA
REF: STATE 16168
UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 000299
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/E NGAREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV SO EUN
SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTS RESTRUCTURING ICG ON SOMALIA
REF: STATE 16168
1. (SBU) The European Union is largely in favor of the U.S.
proposal to strengthen the effectiveness of the International
Contact Group on Somalia, with the caveat that it would like
to convene plenary sessions approximately four times a year.
Poloff delivered reftel points to Jean-Christophe Belliard
and Ragnheidur Roubineau of the Council Secretariat's Africa
Unit and Michele Cervone, European Commission Desk Officer
for Somalia, all of whom expressed general agreement with the
proposal. Belliard and Cervone said they are encouraged by
the outlook and actions of the new Somali PM and believe it
is a good time to pressure the TFG to implement reforms
outlined last August at the National Reconciliation Congress.
2. (SBU) Belliard said he opposes expanded ICG membership and
would like to limit membership to the EU, U.S., UN, AU, Arab
League, Tanzania and the current European members (Norway,
Sweden, UK, Italy). Sweden has circulated a draft proposal of
its own to fellow EU members UK and Italy for restructuring
the ICG, but EU officials said it is very similar to the U.S.
proposal except that it calls for plenary meetings four times
per year. Belliard, Roubineau, and Cervone fully supported
the concept of cluster groups based in Nairobi. They also
support having the UN chair the ICG.
WOHLERS
.
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AF/E NGAREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV SO EUN
SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTS RESTRUCTURING ICG ON SOMALIA
REF: STATE 16168
1. (SBU) The European Union is largely in favor of the U.S.
proposal to strengthen the effectiveness of the International
Contact Group on Somalia, with the caveat that it would like
to convene plenary sessions approximately four times a year.
Poloff delivered reftel points to Jean-Christophe Belliard
and Ragnheidur Roubineau of the Council Secretariat's Africa
Unit and Michele Cervone, European Commission Desk Officer
for Somalia, all of whom expressed general agreement with the
proposal. Belliard and Cervone said they are encouraged by
the outlook and actions of the new Somali PM and believe it
is a good time to pressure the TFG to implement reforms
outlined last August at the National Reconciliation Congress.
2. (SBU) Belliard said he opposes expanded ICG membership and
would like to limit membership to the EU, U.S., UN, AU, Arab
League, Tanzania and the current European members (Norway,
Sweden, UK, Italy). Sweden has circulated a draft proposal of
its own to fellow EU members UK and Italy for restructuring
the ICG, but EU officials said it is very similar to the U.S.
proposal except that it calls for plenary meetings four times
per year. Belliard, Roubineau, and Cervone fully supported
the concept of cluster groups based in Nairobi. They also
support having the UN chair the ICG.
WOHLERS
.