SOMALIA: AF A/S CARSON,S MEETING WITH ASHA HAGI

UNCLAS STATE 113470 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KPO SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: AF A/S CARSON,S MEETING WITH ASHA HAGI ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. AF Assistant Secretary (A/S) Johnnie Carson met with the Chairperson of Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC) Asha Hagi on Thursday, October 15, to discuss Hagi,s peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts in Somalia. Hagi voiced her support for countering al-Shabaab,s influence, empowering Somalia,s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and developing the economic capacity of the Somali people. A/S Carson largely supported Hagi,s views, noting the alignment between her ideas and U.S. Government (USG) policy. The A/S pledged to look more closely at some of her suggestions and noted that the Department is exploring options to support the TFG,s underfunded and underequipped radio station in Mogadishu. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Chairperson of SSWC, Asha Hagi, met with A/S Carson on October 15, 2009. Hagi is the winner of the 2009 Clinton Global Citizen Award and the 2008 Right Livelihood Award for her human rights and peacebuilding work in Somalia. Hagi was a member of the High Level Political Committee during the Djibouti Peace and Reconciliation talks in late 2008 and early 2009 that resulted in the formation of the current TFG and helped create &the Sixth Clan8 to insert female representation into Somali politics. ¶3. (SBU) Hagi highlighted five points to consider as the United States works with the TFG to advance the Djibouti Peace Process: reshape strategy against al-Shabaab to focus on gaining control in the central regions of Somalia; assist the TFG in developing a local security force; support economic development for the Somali people that will counter terrorism and piracy; utilize the population,s anger against al-Shabaab to amass confidence in the transitional government; and improve the TFG,s message domestically and internationally through public affairs assistance. ¶4. (SBU) A/S Carson agreed with all of Hagi,s suggestions and said he would seek a way to address each. While we do not have on-the-ground access in Somalia, he stated, we can offer assistance if the TFG can point to opportunities with local institutions in the central regions. However, A/S Carson underscored that the United States will not support any groups that do not support the TFG, and we will work through the TFG in any assistance we provide. A/S Carson acknowledged the need for a Somalia National Security Force and noted that while the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has done good work, it must be supported locally. He highlighted the need for economic development and agreed to look at a forthcoming economic development proposal created by SSWC. A/S Carson informed Hagi that the USG is willing to assist the TFG in delivering critical services in areas it controls, such as healthcare and education, if the TFG can produce an implementation plan. ¶5. (SBU) At the end of the meeting, A/S Carson expressed particular interest in supporting a strong TFG public diplomacy and public affairs (PDPA) program. He requested that AF/PDPA work with the Somalia Unit in Embassy Nairobi to improve the TFG,s radio broadcasting capabilities in and around Mogadishu. CLINTON