SOMALIA - Ambassador Visits Suicide Bombing Victims

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002469 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KPAO SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - Ambassador Visits Suicide Bombing Victims REF: NAIROBI 2444 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. On December 7, Ambassador Ranneberger visited the fourteen Somalis who had been flown to Nairobi for treatment after the December 3 suicide bombing in Mogadishu. The visit was heavily covered by the press. Post issued a local press release, reaching media outlets inside Somalia. End summary. -------------- Ambassador Visits Victims of Suicide Blast -------------- ¶2. Ambassador Ranneberger visited Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi on December 7 to offer support to the fourteen Somalis being treated there after the December 3 suicidQblast in Mogadishu (reftel). The Ambassador spoke with the patients as well as the family of the badly-wounded Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) Minister of Sports and Youth, emphasizing U.S. support for their treatment and recovery. In remarks to a large contingent of Somali and Kenyan press after the visit, the Ambassador reiterated messages conveyed in the December 4 statement from the Department, highlighting continuing U.S. support for the TFG and undQscoring the message that attacks like the December 3 bombing only strengthen the resolve of the U.S. government to assist Somalia. ¶3. Post issued a press release to local Somali and Kenyan media on December 8. Begin text: United States Ambassador Michael Ranneberger visited victims of the recent suicide bombing in Mogadishu at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi on December 7. The Ambassador offered words of support on behalf of the American people to the fourteen wounded Somalis. In remarks to the media following the visit, Ambassador Ranneberger underscored the United States government's unwavering support to the Transitional Federal Government and the people of Somalia. The Ambassador emphasized that attacks like the suicide bombing do not dissuade the United States and the international community from assisting Somalia, but rather strengthen the resolve of all who are working to help Somalia achieve peace and stability. End text. RANNEBERGER