UPDATE ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000239 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JWYSHAM AND S/CT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV PINR ET SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT (IGAD) CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM AGAINST TERRORISM (ICPAT) IGAD Preps Two Conventions -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Program Head (Ambassador) Hiruy Amanuel briefed PolOff on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) Capacity Building Program Against Terrorism (ICPAT), which is wholly funded by foreign assistance (Denmark, Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Spain, Norway and Italy participate). Hiruy said that ICPAT has had some success in drafting (with United Nations and foreign technical assistance) two IGAD conventions on mutual legal assistance and extradition. Hiruy said that every IGAD member state has approved the conventions at the expert level and has passed the draft to their justice ministries for signature. ICPAT hopes that the conventions will be signed by all IGAD justice ministers in April, with ratification complete by mid-2010. ICPAT also revised counterterrorism laws for Sudan and Uganda and has made recommendations on draft counterterrorism laws circulating in Ethiopia and Kenya, Hiruy said. Somali TFG Police Missing In Action -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Hiruy noted that ICPAT has provided one-month counterterrorism training courses to batches of 25 police from Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The United Nations, Interpol and Scotland Yard, among others, provide resources and instructors. ICPAT also assisted with Ethiopian training for 1,000 Somali police officers to support the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Asked for an update on the 25 TFG police who received ICPAT's one-month counterterrorism course, Hiruy said the group had deployed to Somalia and officers assisted with security at the Mogadishu airport and in police headquarters as well. Hiruy added that he had no way to track their status with Somalia in turmoil, and noted that one "Colonel Omar," who "organized" Ethiopian training of 1,000 TFG police had been killed in a landmine blast upon returning to Somalia. Border Security Addressed -------------- ¶3. (SBU) ICPAT has enjoyed some success assisting IGAD member states with border security matters, Hiruy said, adding that ICPAT coordinated with, and brought together, border security stakeholders from all the IGAD member states and helped the states develop action plans for enhanced border security cooperation. Acknowledging that implementation has yet to occur, Hiruy emphasized that ICPAT helped "jump-start a dormant process." Hiruy also sees a role for ICPAT, which is mid-way through a four-year funding cycle, in implementing IGAD's draft peace and security strategy. Anti-Money Laundering Legislation on Track? -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Speaking to U.S. bilateral concerns with Ethiopia, Hiruy noted that Ethiopia will adopt anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism finance (CTF) legislation soon. Hiruy said that the National Bank of Ethiopia had commissioned, and ICPAT had financed, the current draft, which he said may be circulated within the Ethiopian government within the next two weeks. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) In 2008, the United States explored through S/CT potential support for some of ICPAT's programs going-forward. Ambassador Hiruy will travel to the United States in mid-February and we have recommended that he meet with relevant State and Defense Department offices to pitch his case. ICPAT is a competent organization with an over-broad mandate that may be able to continue to play some role in regional counterterrorism coordination, with continued international assistance. End Comment. ADDIS ABAB 00000239 002 OF 002 YAMAMOTO