ADDIS ABABA ON SOMALIA SITUATION IN LIGHT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001914

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER SO EAID KPKO
SUBJECT: ADDIS ABABA ON SOMALIA SITUATION IN LIGHT OF
AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOMALIA TFG AND PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

REF: STATE 78953

Classified By: Classified by Charge d,Affaires, Michael Gonzales for
reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (C) On August 5, Charge d'Affaires and Deputy
Political-Economic Counselor met with the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to deliver Reftel points. The Government of Ethiopia
(GoE) is pleased with USG support to Somalia's Transitional
Federal Government (TFG),including in-kind support and
pledged training, as well as support at the United Nations
Security Council. The GoE plans to continue its ongoing
liaison relationship with TFG security personnel along the
Somali border, and will continue to train a small cohort of
senior TFG security force personnel to improve their
capacity, but will not train the large numbers of personnel
it did in 2008. End Summary.


2. (C) On August 5, Charge d'Affairs Michael Gonzales and
Deputy Political-Economic Counselor Kate Pongonis met
separately with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director for the
Americas, Tebeje Berhe, and State Minister Dr. Tekeda Alemu
to deliver Reftel points. In a cordial hour-long meeting,
Tebeje noted there had been some improvement in Somalia in
recent weeks and that it was not as bleak as a couple of
weeks ago. The TFG's agreement to work together with Alhu
Sunna wal Jama'a has provided a good morale boost to TFG
forces. Tebeje said USG assistance is positive and helpful
and sends a strong message that the U.S. will back the TFG
which is an additional big boost to morale. This puts
al-Shabaab and other elements on the defensive. He added
that Secretary Clinton's meeting with Sheik Sharif also sends
more than just a symbolic message -- that actions will be
taken much more seriously than just talk, he opined. He also
thanked us for U.S, support at the UN Security Council in
pressing for UNSC consideration of sanctions against
individuals and entities destabilizing Somalia in line with
the recommendations by the Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) and the African Union.


3. (C) Tebeje added that the TFG still needed to be much
stronger, because the TFG's weakness makes al-Shabaab appear
stronger than it really is. Ethiopia hopes the U.S. will
play a lead role, especially with regard to "spoilers" in the
region such as Eritrea.


4. (C) In response to the Charge's question on Ethiopia's
plans in Somalia, Tebeje said the GoE will continue its
ongoing liaison relationship with TFG security personnel
along the Somali border for reconnaissance and information
sharing. The GoE is also training a small cohort of senior
TFG security force personnel to improve their capacity (NFI),
but does not have plans to train large numbers of TFG troops
as they did in 2008.


5. (C) Tebeje asked about developments in the Security
Council and said he hoped the process of considering
sanctions will continue because Eritrea continued to support
terrorist groups with arms and training. He said targeted
sanctions on leaders sent a strong message. In a separate
discussion, Dr. Tekeda shared the view that the discussion of
sanctions has had a positive effect, noting that shipments
have gone down since diplomatic pressure has been applied.


6. (C) Dr. Tekeda stressed that the threat of sanctions
against senior Eritrean officials had a clear chilling effect
in Asmara. Dr. Tekeda specifically noted the Sanctions
Committee,s consideration of Yemane Gebreab as being a
critically important move. (Note: Dr. Tekeda had a list of
individuals targeted by the Somalia Sanctions Committee which
included Yemane. End Note.) Dr. Tekeda stressed that,
although Yemane may not make ultimate decisions in Eritrea --
a province reserved for President Isaias -- he certainly
advises Isaias, and his inclusion among those sanctioned
would be a critical signal to Asmara that the international
community is sincere in its interest in ending Eritrea,s
destabilizing activities in Ethiopia.
GONZALES