(S) BULGARIAN ARMS EXPORT TO ERITREA

S E C R E T STATE 072748 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2034 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MASS BU ER SUBJECT: (S) BULGARIAN ARMS EXPORT TO ERITREA REF: HUCK-MITCHELL EMAILS Classified By: EUR/PRA Dir, AFriedt, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Summary: On June 19, the Government of Bulgaria inquired if the United States Government (USG) would have any objections to an export to Eritrea of L-39ZA fighters, along with armaments, ammunition, spare parts, and ground equipment. The deal is worth $4.5 million; the equipment would come from the Bulgarian MOD. Washington opposes this transfer and urges Bulgaria to refrain from concluding this deal. Eritrea has been fueling the conflict in Somalia by supporting al-Shabaab and other extremist groups. The African Union and Intergovernmental Authority on Development have called on the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Eritrea for its destabilizing role in the Horn of Africa. End Summary. BACKGROUND ¶2. (U) The U.S. is very concerned about Eritrea,s role in supporting al-Shabaab and other violent extremist groups and Eritrea,s destabilizing influence in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea has supplied military, financial and political support to al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and other extremists leading attacks against Somalia,s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping forces. In May 2008, the Department of State certified Eritrea as a country that is &Not Cooperating Fully8 with U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. That status remains in effect and prohibits U.S. sales of lethal or other military materiel to Eritrea. Transfers of military equipment to Eritrea would increase concerns about Eritrea,s ability to supply weapons in support of al-Shabaab and other extremist groups, and further destabilize the region. ACTION REQUEST/OBJECTIVES ¶3. (S) Post is asked to approach appropriate host government officials to voice U.S. concerns with arms transfers to Eritrea. In approaching host government officials, Post should seek to: --discourage the GOB from pursuing the arms export to Eritrea; --provide details on Eritrea,s actions in support of al-Shabaab and other extremist groups in order to demonstrate Eritrea,s destabilizing role in the region. TALKING POINTS/NONPAPER ¶4. (U) Post may draw from the following points, which can be used as a non-paper to deliver to the GOB: --We appreciate our cooperative relationship with Bulgaria on the issue of arms exports. Our consultations in this area enable us to prevent proliferation and avoid contributing to destabilizing international peace and security.. --In response to your recent query regarding an export to Eritrea of L-39ZA fighters, along with armaments, ammunition, spare parts, and ground equipment, the U.S. would have very serious concerns with such an export and would discourage you from approving such a transfer. --The UN Security Council Somalia Sanctions Committee,s Monitoring Group has reported regularly on Eritrea,s violations of the UN Somalia arms embargo and its financial, military, and political support for those threatening Somalia,s Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Eritrea is providing material support to al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and other violent extremists leading attacks against the TFG and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping forces. --Eritrea has been strongly criticized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),and the African Union (AU) for its destabilizing role in the Horn of Africa. IGAD and the AU have called for the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Eritrea. Eritrea has also been criticized for allowing al-Shabaab elements and other extremists to transit Eritrea en route to Mogadishu, using Somalia for its proxy war against Ethiopia, and allowing anti-TFG extremists use of Eritrean territory. --Eritrea is also engaged in unresolved border disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti and has failed to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1862 (Jan 2009),which calls on Eritrea to acknowledge its border dispute with Djibouti, engage Djibouti to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, withdraw its military from Djiboutian territory, and return to positions which predate the June 2008 clash during which 44 Djiboutian soldiers were killed. --As a result of U.S. concerns with Eritrea, we will not provide defense articles or services to Eritrea. --Transfers of armaments to Eritrea would increase concerns about Eritrea,s ability to supply weapons in support of terrorists and insurgent groups. IF ASKED/NECESSARY: --Should the GOB decide to sell these items to Eritrea, the U.S. would appreciate the GOB providing the U.S. with a comprehensive inventory of the items, including: quantities, makes, models, serial or lots numbers, and photographs. --We look forward to continued cooperation in this area. END TALKING POINTS ¶5. (U) Post's assistance is greatly appreciated. ¶6. (U) ISN/CATR Point of Contact is Margaret Mitchell (mitchellmt2@state.sgov.gov; 202-647-2433). CLINTON