ALGERIA DECLINES AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA

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