AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY CALL TO MALI

=======================CABLE ENDS============================ id: 191160 date: 2/9/2009 20:40 refid: 09STATE11821 origin: Secretary of State classification: CONFIDENTIAL destination: header: VZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #1821 0402055 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O P 092040Z FEB 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO IMMEDIATE 0203 INFO RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY PRIORITY 4644 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 3864 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY -------------- header ends -------------- C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 011821 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2019 TAGS: PTER ML CA SUBJECT: AF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY CALL TO MALI PRESIDENT RE CANADIAN HOSTAGES Classified By: Acting A/S Phil Carter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Two Canadian nationals, United Nations Special Envoy Robert Fowler and Special Assistant Louis Guay, and Nigerien national Soumaina Mounkaila are currently being held in northern Mali by Al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). In response to a February 2 Canadian demarche, AF Acting Assistant Secretary Phillip Carter called Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure on February 9 to encourage him to continue Mali's cooperation with the United Nations (UN) and Canada in their efforts to rescue the three hostages and urge him to make resolution of this case a priority for the GOM. ¶2. (C) Carter asked for Toure's perspectives on the urgent situation with the Canadian hostages, including Ambassador Fowler. Carter stressed its importance to the UN, Canadians, and United States, saying that these three men were important to UN work on the Sahel, and that if this situation continues, it will hurt Mali's image for private investment. Toure said they were in constant contact and coordinating with the Canadians, and that the hostages were in good health. Carter noted concern that the situation had become complicated with the kidnapping of a second group of Europeans: the Canadian government had a policy of not paying ransom which may differ from the European approach. Toure assured him the two groups were being treated separately and Mali would act with the consent of the Canadian government. When Carter asked what the United States can do, Toure responded that they need information, especially on the location of the hostages, who are frequently moved around Mali and its bordering countries. ¶3. (C) Later in the day, Acting AF/W Director met with the Canadian POLCON. He reported the conversation and relayed Toure's request for information, particularly on the location of the hostages. ¶4. (U) Acting A/S Phillip Carter has cleared on this cable. CLINTON =======================CABLE ENDS============================