Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ADDISABABA268
2009-02-02 17:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING A/S CARTER MEETS WITH

Tags:  PREL SO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1085
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDS #0268/01 0331730
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 021730Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3603
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0479
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 3232
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 0889
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7693
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000268 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2019
TAGS: PREL SO
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING A/S CARTER MEETS WITH
SOMALI PRESIDENT SHEIKH SHARIF

Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000268

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2019
TAGS: PREL SO
SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT -- AF ACTING A/S CARTER MEETS WITH
SOMALI PRESIDENT SHEIKH SHARIF

Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: AF Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip Carter,
joined by U.S. Special Envoy for Somalia John Yates, met February
2 with newly elected Somali President Sheikh Sharif on the margins
of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Carter said the USG
would like to see Sharif appoint a broad-based and inclusive
cabinet, travel to and remain in Mogadishu to establish
credibility, support our plans to develop an accountable and
transparent mechanism to pay joint security forces, and support the
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeepers.
Sharif was generally very amenable but expressed skepticism that he
would be able to draw in those who were opposed to the concept of
the Djibouti peace process. Carter also encouraged and offered
to help Sharif develop a public relations strategy to counter
Al Shabaab disinformation.
End Summary.


2. (C) Sharif said he appreciates the help of the United
States with the Djibouti peace process and the support of U.S.
Special Envoy for Somalia Yates. He said he faces many
challenges, including continuing the peace process, establishing
a joint security force, improving the humanitarian situation, and
forming a unity government. He asked for USG political
and moral support and would like to strengthen the relationship.


3. (C) Carter said the United States and Somalia share the
same objectives. Carter noted
four things Sharif needs to be thinking about right away.
First, the selection of a prime
minister and formation of the cabinet should be as
broad-based and inclusive as possible. There are many groups
who want this process to fail, and Sharif must not give them the
opportunity to argue that the government is not inclusive.
The more inclusive the cabinet is, the better the chances of
success. Second, the various groups within Somalia have to see
this government as their own. Sharif cannot allow rival,
parallel institutions to implant themselves. For this reason,
Carter said Sharif needs to establish himself and his cabinet in
Mogadishu right away and avoid international travel, at least for
the first couple of months. Traveling abroad will diminish the
President's credibility in the eyes of many Somalis. Also, since

it is difficult for the international community to operate inside
Somalia, it relies on the President and his government to keep us
informed about what is happening on the ground.


4. (C) Third, Carter said, the USG supports Sharif,s
formation of a joint security force, and is working to
develop a mechanism so payment of the troops is accountable
and transparent. Carter excused himself for being blunt, but
said that there have been instances in the past where the
international community has disbursed funds intended for paying
security forces, but those funds have ended up in the pockets of
senior government officials. Fourth and last, the USG is counting
on Sharif to support AMISOM, and to publicly tell his people that
AMISOM,s purpose is to support the Somali peace process. AMISOM
troops are not conquerors or invaders; they are fellow Africans
there to help the Somali people.


5. (C) Sheikh Sharif said he wanted to make the point that he
and his allies are not corrupt. He said he would like USG help to
strengthen the joint security forces and find it amusing that
previous governments had siphoned off funds intended for security
forces. He would like to work together with AMISOM: prior to his
election he often said publicly AMISOM is here to help.
Regarding inclusivity, this will not be easy, but he will extend
his hand and see what happens.


6. (C) Carter said he encourages Sheikh Sharif to extend his
hand and grab hands, pulling those who are less than willing
but peaceful and constructive into his cabinet. The
President should work to improve the unity government's
messaging and public relations. Until now, the high ground has
been held by Al Shabaab. He admitted that it has been a
challenge for the United States, and many Somalis have gotten
a false notion of what the United States is trying to do in
Somali as a result of Al Shabaab's disinformation
campaign. They are spreading nonsense that Americans dislike
Islam. The USG does have direct security concerns. The
recruitment of young Somali American citizens to jihad is of
particular concern which the USG cannot and will not accept.
Whatever actions the USG takes, Carter said, Sharif should know
that the USG will continue to be focused on a select, tiny group
of extremists who have carried out horrible crimes.

ADDIS ABAB 00000268 002 OF 002




7. (C) Sharif said there is lots of propaganda, and thinks he
knows better how to get a handle on it. Somalis are not hostile
to Americans in spite of Al Shabaab's efforts. It would
be productive if the USG could directly state the message as
often as possible that you are not against Islam. Yates said
Al Shabaab's disinformation campaign is affecting the
international community's ability to deliver humanitarian
assistance and a number of aid workers have been killed as a
result. Carter noted that 80 percent of food aid comes from
American farmers. He said: "The hard work starts today. We
will work with you."


8. (C) Sharif concluded by stating that he wants to establish
good relations with his neighbors. Carter said Somalia's
neighbors want this too, and now they have someone they can
talk to.


9. (U) Acting A/S Carter approved this message before
departing Addis.
YAMAMOTO