SOMALIA - REACTION TO MAERSK ALABAMA CAPTAIN'S

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000743 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND ACTING A/S CARTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PTER KPAO SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA - REACTION TO MAERSK ALABAMA CAPTAIN'S RESCUE ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Somali reaction to the use of force used to secure the release of Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips has been largely positive. Somali media outlets have reflected an understanding of the actions, although some have wondered if this show of force has come too late, now that pirates have become accustomed to receiving money for the release of ships and hostages. Another outlet pondered whether pirates would become more violent, and if the family and friends of the three dead pirates would somehow attempt to retaliate. Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Government of Puntland officials had both issued statements lamenting the hijacking and hostage-taking, and we are urging them to follow their supportive statements to date with further backing for subsequent events. A range of government officials sent notes and messages of support to Post, all stating that the action was necessary and understandable. Post has passed suggested press statements and talking points to both the TFG and Puntland government, with requests that they publicize the views they have shared with us privately. End summary. -------------- During the Event -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The reaction to the April 12 operation to secure the release of Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips, which resulted in the deaths of three Somali pirates, has been mostly positive in Somalia, in spite of extremists' effort to portray the action as a demonstration of American and Western use of force against Somalis and Muslims at large. While the incident unfolded, several Somali parties made public statements lamenting the hostage-taking and subsequent holding of Phillips. The Somali Business Council (SBC), based in Dubai, sent us a message calling Phillips' capture "inhumane, immoral, and shameful" and noted that the United States and others are working to help the Somali people. The Transitional Federal Government, via Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke, issued a statement on April 10 calling for the unconditional release of Phillips, and noting that Phillips' capture came immediately on the heels of the TFG's humanitarian appeal, and might undermine the appeal effort. The President of Puntland, Abdirahman Mohamed Mohamed "Farole," issued a statement on April 11 expressing "deep regret" for piracy in general, and characterizing it as "a well-organized and sophisticated criminal enterprise." -------------- Media Reaction -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Somali media have reacted favorably to the April 12 action to rescue Phillips, even though three Somali pirates were killed during the operation. Some in the media have speculated that the show of force may have come too late. The editor of the National Post newspaper, which is published in Nairobi but distributed in Mogadishu and which is the sister paper of Xog-Oogal, publicly supported the action, even suggesting that such forceful action would have been better earlier, in order to prevent piracy from flourishing. The manager of Mogadishu's Radio Simba said the majority of Somalis supported the action to free Phillips, but noted that pirates may now be more prone to violence when handling hostages during piracy operations. The radio station also said that a close family member of one pirate had vowed to carry out retaliatory action, since the action came while family members and clan elders were allegedly engaged in talks to release the captain without ransom. -------------- Somali Officials and Civilians -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Senior Somali officials have conveyed a variety of positive messages since Phillips' release. Puntland President Farole publicly welcomed the rescue operation, urged other states to "emulate the United States." The TFG Foreign Minister, Mohamed Abdullahi Omar, told a Reuters reporter that he strongly supported the action, which was long overdue. He urged other countries to take similar NAIROBI 00000743 002 OF 002 actions against pirates. The Minister for Fisheries, Abdirahman Haji Adan "Ibbi" hailed the action. Minister of Commerce Abdirashid Irro Mohamed told VOA that he was happy to hear President Obama's comments about the rescue, and said that, "unless we make peace and security as well as law and order inland, we cannot control the water." Intelligence head Mohamed Sheikh in an SMS to us termed the events "a fantastic and courageous step to rescue the Captain. The (TFG) and all Somalis support you," he wrote. ¶5. (SBU) Somalis from all walks of life have also weighed in. A scholar from the moderate Ahlu Sunna Walk Jama (AWSJ) group expressed strong support for the action, saying piracy is against Islamic law and is punishable by death. Well-known Mogadishu businessman Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur "Eno" called us from Qatar to say "it's about time. Piracy is ruining whatever reputation Somalia has left." Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya Mohammed Ali Nur "Americo" praised the rescue and hoped it would discourage future, would-be pirates." As may have been expected, the extremists wasted no time in attempting to capitalize on the lives lost in the operation. For example, a "pirate chief" who claimed to have knowledge of the Maersk Alabama situation said the pirates had agreed to free Phillips without ransom before the three pirates were killed, and vowed to "hunt down" Americans traveling in area waters. -------------- Shaping the TFG and Puntland Governments' Reactions -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Post has requested that the TFG and Government of Puntland actively speak out about the action taken to rescue Phillips. We provided both governments some suggested text for press releases addressing the situation, and offered to facilitate media interviews by which senior Somali officials could discuss the April 12 rescue. Both governments were receptive to the idea. Prime Minister Sharmarke arrives in Nairobi evening, April 14, and Puntland President Farole will be in town on April 15. Post will work actively with them and their delegations. RANNEBERGER