UNSC SOMALIA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE: ARMS EMBARGO

UNCLAS STATE 103664 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER XW UNSC SUBJECT: UNSC SOMALIA SANCTIONS COMMITTEE: ARMS EMBARGO EXEMPTION REQUEST REF: STATE 83024 ¶1. This is an action request. USUN is requested to send a letter to the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia ("the Somalia Sanctions Committee" - www.un.org/sc/committees/751/index.shtml) with the information found in para 3 below in connection with United States' request for an exemption to the arms embargo on Somalia established by the Security Council in resolution 733 (1992). -------------- STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE -------------- ¶2. The strategic objective is for the United States to comply with its UN obligation to request an exemption from the Somalia Sanctions Committee at least five working days in advance of any shipment of weapons and military equipment for Somalia or any provision of technical assistance intended solely for the purpose of helping develop security sector institutions, consistent with the political process as described in paragraphs 1 through 5 of UN Security Council resolution 1772 (2007). -------------- LETTER -------------- ¶3. In accordance with paragraph 11 (b) of resolution 1772 (2007),the U.S. Mission hereby requests approval for an exemption to the arms embargo imposed on Somalia by UN Security Council resolution 733 (1992). The United States Government intends to provide the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) with roundtrip airlift support to transport approximately 600 National Security Forces (NSF) soldiers from Mogadishu to Djibouti for a three to four month training course that starts in November or December 2009. This transport support will contribute to military efforts to defeat armed opposition groups in Mogadishu. U.S. support of the NSF will allow it to more effectively protect the TFG, whose role is key to the continuation of the political and reconciliation process outlined in paragraphs 1 through 5 of resolution 1772 (2007). All transportation services will be contracted with civilian air transport companies. Mogadishu will be the port of entry into Somalia. The dates and times of these transportation flights will depend on the security situation and the availability of the civilian contractors. The United States also seeks to provide the following items to the NSF to support the training in Djibouti: ITEM (QUANTITY) Desert Camouflage Jacket (2,000) Desert Pants (2,000) Desert Boots (2,000) Rubber/light boots (1,000) Undershirts (2,000) Black Socks (2,000) Flak Vests (1,000) Plates (Front and Back) for Flak Vests (2,000) Camouflage Raincoat Jackets (1,000) Berets (1,000) Light Hats (1,000) Helmets (1,000) Shirts (1,000) Shorts (1,000) Shoes (1,000) Socks (2,000) Individual Plastic Tents (1,000) Individual Mattresses (1,000) Canteens with Covers (1,000) Army Green Belts with Metal Buckles / Pistol Belts (1,000) Field Lunch Kits (1,000) Backpacks (1,000) Duffel Bags (1,000) Cartridge Cases (1,000) Ten Person Tents (60) Thirty Person Tents (21) Fifty Person Tents (5) 5,000 Liter Water Tanks (6) 40 KVA Generators (3) Camp/Field Hygiene Units (75) Light Sets (6) Camp/Field Kitchen Units (6) Field Plates (60) Canteen Water Refills (60) Hot Food Containers (60) Field Tables (100) Field Chairs (600) Mosquito Netting (600) Cots (600) END LETTER. CLINTON