NAMIBIA TO REVIEW U.S. SOFA PROPOSAL

UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000097 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS MARR WA SUBJECT: NAMIBIA TO REVIEW U.S. SOFA PROPOSAL REF: (A) 07 Windhoek 542, (B) 07 STATE 117159 ¶1. (U) During a March 7 meeting, the Ambassador told Foreign Minister Marco Hausiku that the USG would be pleased to enter into negotiations to discuss the draft Status of Forces Agreement that the Embassy provided to MFA officials in November 2007 (ref A) and the Ambassador again delivered on April 27 in the form of a letter to the Foreign Minister. The Ambassador explained that the SOFA text in and of itself was not specifically related to AFRICOM, ACOTA or other programs that the GRN may or may not agree with; however, it was a general text that would govern bilateral military cooperation. As such the USG welcomed discussions and negotiations on its content to ensure it fit our bilateral needs. ¶2. (U) Hausiku said the MFA would put the draft text through internal review procedures and would get back to us in the future. Without indicating a preference for or against negotiating a SOFA, Hausiku said that he appreciated a relationship in which we could be honest with each other about our expectations. Meeting Participants -------------- ¶3. (U) Hausiku included in the meeting all his senior staff members: Permanent Secretary Ambassador Veiccoh Ngihwete, Deputy PS Ambassador Hinyangerwa Asheeke, Head of Multilateral Affairs Ambassador Martin Andjanba, Head of Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Wilbard Helao, Deputy Director for Bilateral Affairs Jerobeam Shaanika, and U.S. Desk Officer Morina Muujondjo. Poloff attended as notetaker. MATHIEU