SOMALIA: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR OCTOBER 8 BRIEFING

UNCLAS STATE 104737 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL PHUM PHSA EWWT KCRM SO XA XW SUBJECT: SOMALIA: BUILDING BLOCKS FOR OCTOBER 8 BRIEFING ¶1. Action Request: USUN should draw from the building blocks in paragraph 2 below in drafting the statement for the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia on October 8, 2009. End action. ¶2. Begin building blocks: Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to begin by thanking Special Representative Ould-Abdallah for his continued dedication in monitoring and reporting on the situation in Somalia. Security Situation/Insurgent Attacks While the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) must focus on long-term governance issues, it is clear that Somalia,s immediate challenge remains the security situation. Many of the other challenges Somalia faces stem from or are exacerbated by the continuing insecurity in Somalia, including the humanitarian crisis and piracy. The United States strongly condemns the September 17 suicide attacks against the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) headquarters which killed 21 people. The United States was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of members of the AMISOM force resulting from this attack. On behalf of the United States, I would like to express my condolences to the Ugandan and Burundian people for those lost, and my hopes for a quick recovery for those wounded in the attack. Piracy is without question a symptom of, as well as a contributing factor to, the instability and insecurity in Somalia; without stability in Somalia, there can be no durable resolution of the piracy problem. Not only must efforts to combat piracy be strengthened and broadened in scope, but efforts to stabilize Somalia must be significantly increased to provide a long-term solution to the piracy epidemic. TFG Efforts Despite the challenges it faces, the United States is encouraged by the TFG,s institution-building initiatives. We are strongly supportive of the High Level Committee,s efforts to advance implementation of the Djibouti Agreement, and welcome the TFG,s efforts to work with the international community to address the issue of insecurity through the Joint Security Committee. Support for TFG and AMISOM The international community has a stake in the survival of the TFG and in the defeat of al-Shabaab and other extremist groups, particularly those affiliated with Al-Qaida. Al-Shabaab and other extremists perpetuate violence in an attempt to intimidate the Somali people into submission, and imperil the TFG. AMISOM,s personnel are to be commended for their heroism and their spirit of sacrifice in their mission in the cause of peace. The United States continues to be a strong supporter of funding a logistical support package for AMISOM, and will continue to provide equipment and training to AMISOM Troop Contributing Countries. The United Nations Support Office for AMISOM continues to provide critical supplies and equipment to AMISOM troops. AMISOM is playing an important role in Somalia, and the United States commends those nations which have contributed thus far, especially Uganda and Burundi. We call on all donors to follow through on their pledges made to the TFG and AMISOM at the international donors conference in April, six months ago. Humanitarian Situation The security situation in Somalia is contributing to the worsening humanitarian situation, a trend which we cannot condone or accept. The ongoing violence imperils the delivery of critical food and other humanitarian aid to the 3.8 million Somalis who require assistance. Ongoing violence is also contributing to the growing refugee influx into Kenya, with some 300,000 Somali refugees now dangerously crowded into camps originally designed for 90,000. The USG, in concert with UNHCR and other donors, has urged the Government of Kenya to allocate additional land for Somali refugee camps. The United States denounces the violence against humanitarian agencies and staff, which jeopardizes the mission of these groups to provide aid intended for vulnerable groups such as women and children. We also call for the immediate and unconditional release of those aid workers still held by armed groups in Somalia. Humanitarian access in Somalia is very much constrained by security, and even piracy. The United States remains the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, having provided more than $150 million in food and non-food emergency assistance this past fiscal year. We urge the international community to contribute to the Consolidated Appeal for Somalia. We condemn those that seek to divert or prevent aid from reaching the Somali people that need it most, and support the United Nations, efforts to ensure that assistance reaches those for whom it intended. In particular, we are deeply concerned about reports of diversion by al-Shabaab, which not only hurts the people of Somalia but strengthens al-Shabaab in its war against the TFG. Based on these reports, we reviewed our emergency programs to make sure that we are doing everything we can to help the people of Somalia and prevent diversions. Our review concluded that our standing policy that prohibits assistance from going to al Shabaab is appropriate, and that our implementing partners should exercise increased due diligence to avoid diversions in Somalia. Eritrea and Outside Actors The United States remains deeply concerned about Eritrea,s destabilizing actions in the region. The detrimental effects of its actions are clearly observed in Somalia. The Somalia Sanctions Committee,s Monitoring Group has reported that Eritrea has provided political, financial, and military support to armed opposition groups in Somalia. We remain willing to engage the Eritrean government should it stop destabilizing the Horn of Africa. Thank You, Mr. President. IO/FO: GAnderson CLINTON