AMBASSADOR RICE'S MEETING WITH LIBYAN CHARGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000105 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2019 TAGS: PREL PREF UNSC LY SO AU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE'S MEETING WITH LIBYAN CHARGE D'AFFAIRS DABBASHI Classified By: Ambassador Rice, For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: During their initial meeting Ambassador Rice and Libyan Charge d'Affairs Ibrahim Dabbashi discussed Libya's goals as the head of the African Union, Muammar Qadhafi's desire to establish a "United States of Africa," and the Security Council's role in addressing the situations in Somalia and Sudan. Dabbashi explained that African issues are always Libya's priority and that the "United States of Africa" is not just a dream. Regarding Somalia, Dabbashi said that supporting AMISOM (African Union Mission to Somalia) was crucial, and although Al Shabab--the terrorist organization operating in Somalia and the region--should not be allowed to take over Mogadishu, it was not a major concern. Ambassador Rice told Dabbashi that Libya's support was needed to pressure the Government of Sudan to protect civilians in Darfur and the South and to allow the free movement of UNAMID personnel. End Summary. Libya and the "United States of Africa" ¶2. (C) In her first meeting with the Libyan Charge d'Affairs on February 5, Ambassador Rice noted Libya's assumption of leadership of the African Union (AU),which she said would not have occurred five to ten years ago. Dabbashi said that African affairs are always Libya's priority, and to further cooperation among African states, Libya is pursuing road construction and telecommunications development to narrow the divide between north and sub-Saharan Africa. Ambassador Rice asked Dabbashi to explain Libya's designs for a "United States of Africa," noting that before any real integration could take place, African states' own internal difficulties had to be settled. Dabbashi explained that a "United States of Africa" aims to mirror the United States of America by creating common defense, foreign, and fiscal policies among the states even if that integration took two decades. He said more than 30 African countries support the goal, but he admitted that some of the larger African states, in particular South Africa, were not enthusiastic about it. ¶3. (C) Dabbashi admitted that fully integrating Africa would be very difficult, and he used the dispute over Western Sahara as an example of an issue that divides African countries. He said the Arab Maghreb Union has attempted to boost economic integration in north Africa but that the differences between Algeria and Morocco regarding Western Sahara have stymied any progress. Somalia ¶4. (C) Ambassador Rice said the humanitarian situation in Somalia is grave, and although the political settlement shows some promise it is fragile because the various factions are competing for dominance. She also noted that counterterrorism in the region is a priority for the USG because radical groups such as Al Shabab threaten stability not just in Somalia but in Kenya and Ethiopia as well. She said assisting AMISOM's work in securing Somalia's ports and airports is critical, and the USG is skeptical of placing AMISOM under UN command because the peacekeeping system was already overburdened. Dabbashi agreed that supporting AMISOM is a priority. Although he said "We should not worry about Al Shabab," he cautioned that neither the UN nor AMISOM should allow Al Shabab to take over Mogadishu. Sudan ¶5. (C) Ambassador Rice opened the discussion on Sudan by noting that the Government of Sudan has a long history of violently persecuting its non-Arab peoples and denying them opportunities for economic development. She said the USG has actively supported the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and spent billions of dollars in Sudan. ¶6. (C) On Darfur, Ambassador Rice highlighted four primary areas of concern: lack of civilian protection because of the understaffed and harassed UNAMID forces; the need for greater pressure on the GOS and the JEM to cease hostilities; the need for a negotiated political settlement; and the risk that the conflict could further spill over into Chad and other countries. With regard to the pending ICC decision on President Bashir, Ambassador Rice said that a delay in issuing the arrest warrant would send a signal to the international community that Sudan's leaders were above reproach. Dabbashi said Libya was not in favor of impunity for Sudan's leaders and they should be held responsible for their crimes, but the ICC should not be the forum for that decision. He advised that instead of using the ICC, the USUN NEW Y 00000105 002 OF 002 court proceedings against President Bashir should take place inside Sudan. Moreover, he said it was inappropriate to bring Bashir before the ICC because Sudan was not a party to the ICC. ¶7. (C) Regarding the draft UNSC presidential statement on the GOS's recent bombing of Muhajarriya, Ambassador Rice queried Dabbashi on why Libya hesitated about condemning both the GOS and the JEM. Dabbashi responded that the GOS was sovereign and was simply operating to ensure territorial integrity. Ambassador Rice countered by pointing out that such arguments lead to impunity and the ability of any government to pursue draconian internal policies for political ends. Rice