RESPONSE: PRES. KIKWETE TELLS REP. PAYNE THAT

UNCLAS STATE 123692 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ER SO TU TZ OREP PBTS PINR PINS PREF PREL PTER SUBJECT: RESPONSE: PRES. KIKWETE TELLS REP. PAYNE THAT TANZANIA & TURKEY WILL CO-HOST SOMALI TALKS REF: DAR ES SAL 796 ¶1. We have received information (reftel) that the Government of Tanzania (GOT) has expressed interest in partnering with Turkey to bring the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Somali opposition factions together for talks. In response to this idea, we request post draw from the following talking points in discussions with the GOT. ¶2. BEGIN POINTS: --We understand the GOT has expressed interest in partnering with Turkey to bring the TFG and Somali opposition factions together for talks. We appreciate the underlying sentiment behind this idea to isolate Al-Shabaab by broadening the political base of the TFG. We believe the TFG needs to broaden its political base to include other moderates, and we are urging the TFG to do so by reaching out to regional administrations, clan, traditional, and civil society leaders and groups such as Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamma. --However, we do not think revisiting the Djibouti Peace Process (DPP) would be an effective means of broadening the TFG,s political base. On the contrary, holding a new peace conference or round of reconciliation talks outside of the established DPP could negatively affect, and possibly derail, the progress that has been made to date. --We are specifically concerned about the suggestion that Eritrea would be invited to the table. There have been similar proposals from Qatar and Egypt. To date, Eritrea has played a very unhelpful role in Somalia, providing arms, funds, and other support to Al-Shabaab and other violent extremists who use the force of arms to oppose the TFG and the DPP. Given this harmful role, we support the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),the African Union, and the regional states (including Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda) in their efforts to address Eritrea,s public rhetoric and covert behavior, and to align Eritrea with the wider international community's support for the TFG and DPP. --We are interested in promoting broad reconciliation, peace, and stability in Somalia. At this time, we believe that international efforts should be focused on supporting the DPP and the TFG and in encouraging all parties that wish for peace to join the peace process. We welcome constructive efforts to achieve that end and would welcome efforts by Tanzania to support the frontline states and undercut support for violent opponents of the DPP. --We appreciate Tanzania,s efforts to support the TFG, including Tanzania,s earlier offer to train Somali troops as part of a regional effort. --We look forward to continued dialogue with the GOT regarding Somalia. END POINTS. CLINTON