SOMALIA: SANCTIONS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000321 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC MARR KPKO ETTC SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: SANCTIONS COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PROGRESS AND DESIGNATIONS Classified By: Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 24, the UN Security Council's Somalia Sanctions Committee discussed with the new Monitoring Group (MG) recent changes to the MG's mandate to monitor sanctions in Somalia, including tasks assigned to implement a new targeted sanctions regime authorized by UNSCR 1844. The Committee also discussed a confidential list of names of prime candidates for designation the MG has prepared; most Committee members would like to see this list as soon as the MG finishes updating it by the end of April to reflect the new designation criteria in UNSCR 1844. A number of delegations, including France and the UK, have privately expressed concerns that the absence of any visible movement on new sanctions designations under UNSCR 1844 sends a negative signal about the Council's commitment to Somalia. USUN recommends sharing initial thoughts on such designations with the P-3. END SUMMARY The New Monitoring Group Lays out Priorities, Challenges -------------- -------------- 2.(SBU) On March 24, the UN Security Council's Somalia Sanctions Committee received a briefing from the Somalia Monitoring Group's (MG) Coordinator, Matt Bryden (Canada, regional expert) on the Group's plans to fulfill its newly-expanded mandate. (NOTE: The MG had a Security Council mandate to monitor the implementation of the comprehensive arms embargo imposed on Somalia. In November 2008, the Security Council expanded the mandate to cover monitoring the newly-established targeted sanctions regime imposed by UNSCR ¶1844. END NOTE). The MG members also include: Gregory Beals (US, Armed Groups Expert),Charles Lengalenge (Zambia, Finance Expert),Jorg Roofthooft (Belgium, Transport/Maritime Expert),and Arnaud Laloum (France, Arms Expert). Bryden explained that since his last report in December 2008, the changes to MG's mandate as well as changes in the political and security sectors in Somalia would influence the nature of the Group's work. He mentioned that the establishment of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) has created new alliances with previously armed opposition groups to the government, that the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces likely changed dynamics on the ground, and that external support to the security sectors and acts of piracy have diminished. ;Bryden said the MG planned to collect information on individuals and entities that threaten peace and stability, violate the arms embargo, or obstruct humanitarian access in Somalia. 3.(SBU)Bryden said that the MG plans to make recommendations to the Committee to strengthen enforcement of the arms embargo and will continue to compile evidentiary information, including documentation of financial assets, for the Committee's use in designating individuals and entities for possible targeted sanctions. Bryden reported that the biggest obstacles were poor information sharing and difficulty gathering information on the transportation sector (specifically civil aviation and immigration) because of weak infrastructure and monitoring capabilities in the region. 4.(C) Russia asked the Secretariat for an update on Somalia's previous objection to Mr. Bryden's appointment as Coordinator to the MG. The Secretariat responded that the Somali Mission officially withdrew the complaint in early March. France highlighted the need for the MG to address the TFG's publicly expressed desire to lift the arms embargo from Somalia, noting that the Committee might have to review the current exemption clauses of the resolutions. The MG commented that some governments were unaware of the exemptions procedures, but once informed, many were surprised by the relative ease of the exemption procedures. The U.S. delegation welcomed the work of the committee, noted the U.S. interest in piracy issues and obstruction of humanitarian aid, and highlighted the MG's new mandate under UNSCR 1844 as a useful tool to gather information for possible future targeted sanctions. COMMITTEE CONSIDERS NEW DESIGNATIONS, OTHER MATTERS -------------- -------------- 5.(C) The MG noted that it had previously prepared a draft list of names of individuals and entities who had violated the arms embargo. The Committee Chair and Mexican Permanent Representative, Claude Heller, informed the Committee that, barring no objections, he intended to ask the MG to share the list with the Committee for possible consideration for designation. The chair noted that there had been no designations for targeted sanctions since UNSCR 1844 was adopted in November 2008. Bryden said that before sharing the list, it wanted to update the names to reflect the new criteria for designation included in UNSCR 1844. Bryden USUN NEW Y 00000321 002 OF 002 expected the MG could finalize this task by the end of April ¶2009. (NOTE: Under UNSCR 1853, the MG is mandated to compile a draft list of individuals and entities which violate UNSCR 733 and 1844. When the Committee deems it appropriate, it can ask the MG to circulate the list to the Committee for consideration for possible designation, which has not happened thus far. The contents of the list are considered confidential until the Committee decides to designate the individuals and entities. The individuals and entities on the list would not be considered for designation unless they were put forward by member states for designation. END NOTE). 6.(C) The Russian delegate noted that while he would not object to the chair's suggestion, Russia cautioned that the Committee "not move too fast" and should wait to make a decision until after the MG has had time to revise the list. The U.S. delegate expressed interest in moving forward with new designations, but cautioned that the initial designations would require ample time and consideration on the part of member states. The UK, France, and Burkina Faso supported the chair's recommendation to procure the list as soon as possible. France further suggested that it was important for the Committee to work with Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, as it considers designations for targeted sanctions. 7.(C)The chair announced that the Somalia Sanctions Committee Guidelines had been revised in light of the Committee's new tasks in UNSCR 1844 and would be circulated for the Committee's consideration. He said he planned to convene an expert meeting once the Committee had time to consider the revisions. The chair noted that the Guidelines had been harmonized with those of other sanctions committees'. 8.(SBU) The chair also confirmed that he would follow-up with INTERPOL's request for increased cooperation with the Somalia Committee by inviting INTERPOL to brief the Committee. The chair noted that as of mid-February, he had already received 10 country compliance reports regarding implementation of UNSCR 1844. France/UK ask USUN to move on designations -------------- 9.(C) In private, the UK and French delegations have expressed an eagerness to move on designations for targeted sanctions, fearing that inactivity of the Committee will reflect poorly on the Security Council's renewed interest in Somalia. France cautioned that the Committee should not be too tied to the list of names from the MG because ultimately member states will have to be the ones to propose names. MG Likely to Request Information from U.S. -------------- 10.(SBU) In a private meeting with USUN, the MG said it would likely reach out to the United States for information from naval task forces (with regard to acts of piracy and weapons seized) and information on the recruitment and mobilization of Somalis residing in the United States. More specifically, the MG intends to request identifying biodata and information about financial assets of individuals and entities that are hindering peace and security in Somalia. USUN Requests Guidance on Somalia Strategy -------------- 11.(C) COMMENT: USUN will continue to manage expectations about the time and resources required for the United States to support new designations under UNSCR 1844. We have explained to our counterparts that U.S. bureaucratic requirements -- as well as the inherent difficulty in locating sufficient identifying data -- will lead to inevitable delays. Nevertheless, USUN agrees with P-3 partners that the lack of visible action on new designations sends a negative message about the Security Council's commitment to Somalia and willingness to follow-through on its own sanctions resolutions. USUN recommends Washington begin discussions about possible targets for designation, with a view to sharing initial thoughts with P-3 counterparts within a month. In the meantime, small interim steps -- such as the release of the MG's draft list of candidates for designation -- will demonstrate momentum in the Committee and show the Council that the Committee is taking its mandate seriously. END COMMENT. Wolff