Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ALGIERS513
2009-06-02 15:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
ALGERIA DECLINES AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA
how-toVZCZCXRO8557 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHAS #0513 1531520 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021520Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7512 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 0769 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE 0081 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 3134 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000513
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA MSKARDON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SO AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA DECLINES AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA
REF: STATE 55538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000513
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA MSKARDON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SO AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA DECLINES AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA
REF: STATE 55538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on May 31 to
Lounes Magramane, MFA Director General for African Affairs.
After conferring with decisionmakers, Magramane told the
Ambassador on June 2 that Algeria will not transport weapons
or ammunition. He noted that Algeria has supported the
Somalia mission in the past, and has worked with the African
Union on troop movements, but it will not undertake a
movement of weapons or ammunition. This would be the answer,
he said, whether the Algerians were contacted by the USG, the
AU, or the Somalis directly.
2. (C) Magramane added, off the record, that the Mogadishu
airport is not very secure, and noted that a Ukrainian
aircraft was hit by weapons fire recently. He said that, in
his opinion, the UN Security Council should take a stronger
role in trying to consolidate the peace in Somalia: it seems
the UNSC has been hesitant of late, and this is not something
that the AU can really do on its own, or is authorized to do.
3. (C) The Ambassador thanked Magramane for the fast response
to our request and for Algeria's ongoing support of the
international effort in Somalia. He told Magramane that the
USG continues trying to bring assistance, including the
shipments in question, to Somalia. The Ambassador also said
that he hoped that, even if such flights were not possible
for Algeria now, we may be able to broaden our engagement on
such matters in the future.
PEARCE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA MSKARDON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO SO AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA DECLINES AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA
REF: STATE 55538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) The Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on May 31 to
Lounes Magramane, MFA Director General for African Affairs.
After conferring with decisionmakers, Magramane told the
Ambassador on June 2 that Algeria will not transport weapons
or ammunition. He noted that Algeria has supported the
Somalia mission in the past, and has worked with the African
Union on troop movements, but it will not undertake a
movement of weapons or ammunition. This would be the answer,
he said, whether the Algerians were contacted by the USG, the
AU, or the Somalis directly.
2. (C) Magramane added, off the record, that the Mogadishu
airport is not very secure, and noted that a Ukrainian
aircraft was hit by weapons fire recently. He said that, in
his opinion, the UN Security Council should take a stronger
role in trying to consolidate the peace in Somalia: it seems
the UNSC has been hesitant of late, and this is not something
that the AU can really do on its own, or is authorized to do.
3. (C) The Ambassador thanked Magramane for the fast response
to our request and for Algeria's ongoing support of the
international effort in Somalia. He told Magramane that the
USG continues trying to bring assistance, including the
shipments in question, to Somalia. The Ambassador also said
that he hoped that, even if such flights were not possible
for Algeria now, we may be able to broaden our engagement on
such matters in the future.
PEARCE