SOMALIA - PD ACTIVITIES UPDATE, MARCH 27

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000627 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, MARCH 27 REF: 07 STATE 116686 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Per reftel, Post submits the following update for the third week of March 2009. End summary. -------------- PD Activities -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Somalia Unit, including the Military Information Support Team (MIST) dedicated to Somalia, performed para. 3-5 activities since the last report: ¶3. (SBU) PAO and two members of the MIST traveled to Kampala to meet with AMISOM spokesman, who is a Ugandan Major, about proactive messaging and outreach to highlight the good work that AMISOM is doing in Somalia. The meeting took place at the request of the African Union and is envisioned as the starting point for an ongoing working group. The spokesman was extremely receptive to the forms of assistance the USG group was able to offer, including sharing our vast network of Somalia media outlet contacts, suggesting text for press releases, and sharing general expertise on public diplomacy operations. A major and vital undertaking will be development of content for the station to be hosted on the AF/RSA-funded transmitter, once the equipment arrives in the region. Several follow-on actions came from the meeting, focusing on the areas of FM radio, the AMISOM website, and "quick wins." ¶4. (SBU) PAO remains engaged with he Transitional Federal Government's (TFG) staff on U.S. assistance with their outreach efforts. The TFG remains receptive, but has been slow in appointing staff and specifying responsibilities among the spokesman, Minister of Information, and other actors. PAO met with TFG officials on March 19 and reviewed several methods by which the U.S. can assist the TFG in their own PD efforts. ¶5. (SBU) MIST activity: No programs were aired during this reporting period due to contracting issues. Programs will be aired has soon has all contracting issues have been resolved and all vendors have been paid for their prior work. RANNEBERGER