SOMALIA - PD ACTIVITIES UPDATE, JUNE 30

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001340 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/RSA AND AF/E ALSO FOR S/CT ZROTHSCHILD ALSO FOR IIP/CTCC MAUSTEIN AND JVANDEVELDE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPAO PTER EAID MOPS SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PD ACTIVITIES UPDATE, JUNE 30 REF: 07 STATE 116686 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, Post submits the following update for the first and third weeks of June 2009. End summary. -------------- PD Activities -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Somalia Unit, including the Military Information Support Team (MIST) dedicated to Somalia, performed para. 3-11 activities since the last report: ¶3. (SBU) Post has developed a strategy for assisting the TFG, especially the Ministry of Information, in revamping their outreach efforts. We consulted with a wide variety of Somali and international professionals on the outline of the plan, and have identified two distinguished media professionals to do an initial needs assessment in Mogadishu. The plan includes an effort to revitalize Radio Mogadishu, a proposal for a government newspaper, and professional training for designated TFG spokespersons. Post has requested funds from AF for the assessment. ¶4. (SBU) PAO traveled to Dadaab refugee camps in Northeast Kenya from June 15-17 with four American writers affiliated with the Iowa Writing Program (septel). The writers also conducted a session in Nairobi's Eastleigh neighborhood, and did some Kenya-specific programs in conjunction with Kenya PAS. The writers conducted sessions with nearly 250 youth during their highly successful visit to Kenya. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Ranneberger hosted a background discussion on Somalia with international media outlets on June 11. The journalists, from the New York Times, LA Times, and BBC World Service, were all extremely grateful for the opportunity to review Somalia policy with the Ambassador. ¶6. (SBU) Post issued a press release after a suicide bomber killed Security Minister Omar Hashi. The release was carried widely. We also issued press releases condemning the death of journalist Mukhtar Hirabe on June 7 and the double-amputations carried out on four young men on June 25. ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador visited wounded Somalis elders and TFG officials at a Nairobi hospital on June 26 (septel). The Ambassador then made remarks to assembled Somali and Kenyan press. The event received positive coverage. ¶8. (SBU) PAO made remarks on June 29 at an NDI conference on the TFG's website, which is in development under a Norway-funded initiative. PAO focused on the importance of outreach, even as the TFG is repelling an armed offensive, and the U.S. role in that effort. Conference participants, the majority of whom were TFG communications professionals, uniformly thanked the USG for its efforts in Somalia. ¶9. (SBU) MIST activity, week of June 15: Teams traveled to Dadaab with PAO to assist in the visit of the writers associated with the Iowa Writers Program. During the visit, MIST met with several community groups, including a drama group and a soccer league, to explore options for Public Diplomacy programming in the camps. ¶10. (SBU) MIST is continuing to plan and develop programs in support of the TFG and to counter Al-Shabaab recruiting efforts in central Somalia. These programs are pending approval and contracting support. ¶11. (SBU) MIST activity: MIST is rebroadcasting a live concert throughout Somalia on Radio Daljir and affiliates in support of the current Peace & Reconciliation program. The airing will aim to discourage youth from participating in terrorist and criminal activities and to support future peace & reconciliation initiatives. RANNEBERGER