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

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Summary
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1. (SBU) Per reftel, Post submits the following update for
the first and third weeks of June 2009. End summary.

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PD Activities
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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