Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MOSCOW691
2009-03-20 14:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SEEKING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
how-toVZCZCXRO5533 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDBU RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHPOD RUEHRN RUEHTRO RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHMO #0691 0791409 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 201409Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2470 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0219 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0470
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000691
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SO RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SEEKING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FOR AMISOM AND THE SOMALIA SECURITY SECTOR
REF: STATE 24665
UNCLAS MOSCOW 000691
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SO RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SEEKING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FOR AMISOM AND THE SOMALIA SECURITY SECTOR
REF: STATE 24665
1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche on March 20 to MFA
section chief for Somalia Valeriy Shibeko, who said that
Russia shared the U.S. hope that the election of Sheikh
Sharif as President of the TFG offered an opportunity for
progress, but cautioned against being overly optimistic as
Somalia was still a long war from stability. He cited the
fact that not all opposition groups had entered into talks
with the TFG, and that armed factions and warlords were still
active as the cause for continued concern. Moreover, AMISOM
has only established security in Mogadishu.
2. (SBU) Shibeko took note of the U.S. aid contributions to
Somalia and AMISOM, then reminded us that the GOR had donated
$1 million in 2008 to the World Food Program to supply flour
to Somalia and provided scholarships to Somali students to
study in Russia. He could not specify any future aid that
the GOR might provide to Somalia or AMISOM.
3. (SBU) Stating that it was Russian policy to take part in
all UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, Shibeko told us
that Russia was likely to contribute resources to the UN
peacekeeping operation slated to take over from AMISOM later
this year. Even though this entailed the African Union
troops already in Somalia simply changing to blue helmets,
the fact that this would become a UN operation would provide
an opportunity for Russian participation. Shibeko thought it
possible that Russia would provide helicopters to the Somalia
mission, as it was already doing in Darfur.
BEYRLE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SO RS
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: SEEKING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
FOR AMISOM AND THE SOMALIA SECURITY SECTOR
REF: STATE 24665
1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche on March 20 to MFA
section chief for Somalia Valeriy Shibeko, who said that
Russia shared the U.S. hope that the election of Sheikh
Sharif as President of the TFG offered an opportunity for
progress, but cautioned against being overly optimistic as
Somalia was still a long war from stability. He cited the
fact that not all opposition groups had entered into talks
with the TFG, and that armed factions and warlords were still
active as the cause for continued concern. Moreover, AMISOM
has only established security in Mogadishu.
2. (SBU) Shibeko took note of the U.S. aid contributions to
Somalia and AMISOM, then reminded us that the GOR had donated
$1 million in 2008 to the World Food Program to supply flour
to Somalia and provided scholarships to Somali students to
study in Russia. He could not specify any future aid that
the GOR might provide to Somalia or AMISOM.
3. (SBU) Stating that it was Russian policy to take part in
all UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, Shibeko told us
that Russia was likely to contribute resources to the UN
peacekeeping operation slated to take over from AMISOM later
this year. Even though this entailed the African Union
troops already in Somalia simply changing to blue helmets,
the fact that this would become a UN operation would provide
an opportunity for Russian participation. Shibeko thought it
possible that Russia would provide helicopters to the Somalia
mission, as it was already doing in Darfur.
BEYRLE