CTAG MEMBERS DISCUSS REGIONAL CT CHALLENGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 000983 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER PINR PGOV AG ML MR NG SUBJECT: CTAG MEMBERS DISCUSS REGIONAL CT CHALLENGES ALGIERS 00000983 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: David D. Pearce, Ambassador. Reasons: E.O. 12958 1.4(b) , (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Participants at the Italian-hosted Counterterrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting of G-8 Embassies in Algiers on October 25 discussed the current status of regional CT cooperation, ongoing Algerian and bilateral CT efforts, and the activities of the African Union Center for the Study and Research of Terrorism (CAERT). Participants believed that the Algerian government is willing and able to address growing terrorism and drug trafficking in the Sahel but noted that regional cooperation, including cross-border operations, has yet to be established. Participants hoped the upcoming Bamako summit would remedy that situation, although they thought the capabilities of the Mali government are lacking. The Algerian government prefers bilateral CT cooperation with individual G-8 countries rather than a coordinated approach. In recent months, the GOA has mounted a campaign to strengthen the international regime against ransom payments. But its public discourse focuses heavily on counterterrorism operations and President Bouteflika's program of national reconciliation, less on politically sensitive issues like extremist propaganda, radicalization and recruitment. Despite the GOA's pride in the African Study and Research Center for Terrorism (CAERT) as an Algerian-hosted AU organization, participants felt the center has been ineffective. End summary. Regional Cooperation Limited in Run-up to Bamako -------------- --- ¶2. (C) The Italian Embassy, representing the G-8 2009 presidency, hosted a meeting of the G-8 Counterterrorism Action Group (CTAG) ambassadors on October 25. The embassies of Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States were represented at the ambassador or DCM level. The European Commission and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator also sent representatives. France was not represented. Participants noted that the Algerian government appears acutely conscious of the precarious security situation in the Sahel and would like to play a stabilizing role in the region both militarily and diplomatically -- particularly with regard to tensions between Tuareg minorities and the governments of Mali and Niger. The August 12 meeting of the chiefs of staff of Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger in Tamanrasset, organized at Algeria's initiative, was a positive step toward regional cooperation. However, the GOA so far has refrained from cross-border antiterrorist operations. Algerian officials tell CTAG members that this reluctance is due to respect for other countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity and concern that Morocco might use any Algerian cross-border actions as a pretext for themselves infringing on the integrity of Algeria's borders. The planned Bamako summit could provide the GOA the political cover it wants for cross-border action. (Note: GOA officials have said repeatedly that they expect the summit will take place before the end of the year. End note) ¶3. (SBU) CTAG members said that their meetings with Algerian officials indicate that Algeria wants the summit to go well and would prefer that non-regional governments and organizations not play a role in the planning phase. Participants agreed that, while we want to encourage movement on a more regional approach to CT cooperation, it also was important to keep in mind GOA sensitivities regarding regional ownership of the process. ¶4. (SBU) Members noted that terrorist activities and illicit trafficking in the Sahel have steadily increased over the last few years. The weakness of some Sahel and West African governments and the recent spread of cocaine trafficking from Latin America throughout the region add to such concerns. There was general agreement that the Malian government's ambiguous attitude and ineffective action to address the security situation within its borders were further reasons to worry. Meeting participants noted that bilateral CT initiatives must also address illicit trafficking of all types, since terrorism and trafficking are broadly interconnected throughout the region. ALGIERS 00000983 002.2 OF 002 Public Discourse Centers on CT Operations -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Participants agreed that Algeria has developed strong capacity in counterterrorism operations, mainly as a result of its experience in the 1990s. The GOA has ratified 11 out of 13 international conventions on terrorism and appears to have complied with the main provisions of UNSC resolutions against terrorist financing. Its public discourse on CT issues centers on "hard" security measures, including prevention. It also spotlights the process of national reconciliation initiated by President Bouteflika more than the politically sensitive issues of extremist Islamist propaganda, incitement, radicalization, and recruitment. The GOA generally keeps public communication on CT issues low-key, except for official announcements on successful antiterrorist operations. ¶6. (SBU) In recent months, the Algerian authorities have also campaigned publicly for strengthening the international legal regime against payment of ransoms for terrorist kidnappings. Authorities up to and including President Bouteflika himself have raised the subject with international audiences on several occasions, arguing that such payments undermine efforts to limit terrorist financing. Algerian officials have expressed interest in urging the AU or the UN to create an international legally binding instrument to outlaw such payments but may be willing to accept a non-binding declaration instead. GOA Prefers Bilateral Work with G8 Partners -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Participants commented on Algeria's desire to maintain an almost exclusively bilateral approach to international CT cooperation with Western partners. There currently are no multilateral CT coordination mechanisms with G-8 countries, and the GOA seems disinclined to pursue any. Members nevertheless agreed there was value in continuing informal exchanges of views and information among CTAG participants. A few suggested considering the possible inclusion of Algerian officials in future discussions. Members also shared the views that Algerian officials prefer that proposals for bilateral initiatives be strictly formalized and structured, in some cases at the expense of flexibility and speed of action; that GOA authorities are very selective about information they exchange with bilateral partners; and that officials resist attempts by bilateral partners to involve members of civil society in CT activities. The GOA prefers bilateral cooperation on security per se, not on broader social initiatives. CAERT: Not Much There There -------------- ¶8. (SBU) CTAG members expressed disappointment with the AU's African Study and Research Center for Terrorism (CAERT) located in Algiers. CTAG members had not been impressed with CAERT's activities and voiced skepticism about its future role, noting that it seems to focus almost exclusively on organizing seminars and lacks a coherent action-oriented framework or long-term training plan. The head of the European Commission mission in Algiers noted that the center suffers from poor management, limited budget transparency, lack of adequate technical skills, and weak analytic performance. CTAG members also noted that the absence of Morocco from CAERT activities, a side of effect of the organization's AU affiliation, which limited CAERT's effectiveness as a regional CT center. Participants nevertheless acknowledged CAERT's political significance to the Algerian government as an Algerian-hosted AU entity and as part of an international network of regional CT centers. CTAG members, therefore, were generally inclined to continuing cooperation with the organization and its activities. Members noted that the mandate of CAERT Director Boubacar Diarra will expire soon and hoped that his replacement will bring positive changes. ¶9. (U) Tripoli minimize considered. PEARCE