SOMALIA: SRSG OULD-ABDALLAH URGES INTERNATIONAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000741

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF, IO, PM, AND USUN/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER PHUM MARR MOPS KPKO UNSC SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: SRSG OULD-ABDALLAH URGES INTERNATIONAL
SUPPORT FOR SOMALIA

REF: A. USUN 00709

B. USUN 722

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY. On July 28, SRSG for Somalia Ould-Abdallah
called for the international community to continue its
support for the TFG and AMISOM, reporting that while
insurgent attempts to overthrow the Somali government have
failed, the security situation remains fragile. African
Union Commissioner Lamamra praised the TFG's improvements in
governance and emphasized the regional implications of the
conflict - stating that it provides fertile ground for both
foreign fighters and the illegal arms trade. Somali Foreign
Minister Omaar emphasized the TFG's commitment to the peace
process, and said that Somalis will achieve reconciliation if
external forces working to undermine the government can be
overcome. Council Members unanimously voiced support for the
TFG, called for a strengthening of AMISOM and urged donors to
fulfill their financial pledges. Members called on
opposition groups to join the Djibouti Peace Process, and
many deplored reports of foreign interference in Somalia.
Humanitarian issues were also at the top of Council Members
agendas, with many citing the growing number of IDPs and need
for additional food aid. In closed consultations following
the briefing, the Somalia Sanctions Committee Chair stated
that he had received a list of nine names and two entities
including those believed to have violated measures imposed in
resolutions 1844 and 1853. The UK, France, US, Uganda said
that they support sending a clear message to opposition group
members who contribute to the destabilization efforts and
increase violence in Somalia. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) In his July 29 address to the Security Council, UN
Special Representative for Somalia, Ahmed Ould-Abdullah,
reported that although the security situation "remains
fragile," the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) is
resisting and repelling insurgent efforts to overthrow it.
Ould-Abdullah stated that the Djibouti Agreement remains open
to all peaceful opposition groups and noted the TFG's
engagement of Ahlu Sunnawa Al Jamma in the reconciliation
process. Ould-Abdullah acknowledged the continuing suffering
of ordinary Somalis and condemned recent abductions, as well
as looting of UN offices carried out by insurgent groups. He
called for continued international support for the TFG and
AMISOM and the establishment of a Green Zone in the capital,
suggesting that this would allow the relocation of UN
agencies-including his own-from Nairobi to Mogadishu.
Finally, he urged the international community to continue its
anti-piracy efforts and recommended the creation of a Somali
Coast Guard.


3. (SBU) African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security
Ramtane Lamamra characterized the security situation in
Somalia as "volatile," but not "desperate or insurmountable."
Lamamra praised the TFG's improvements in governance
including greater transparency, inclusiveness and
responsiveness. He lamented that armed efforts by opposition
groups to destroy the peace and reconciliation process are
ongoing, and emphasized that the conflict in Somalia is a
regional problem that provides fertile ground for foreign
fighters and illegal arms trade. Lamamra called for the TFG,
AMISOM and the international community to present a coherent
front against groups opposed to peace and reconciliation and
he stated that TFG control should be expanded beyond the
capital for both strategic and symbolic reasons.


Somalia MFA Emphasizes Commitment to Peace
--------------


4. (SBU) Minister for Foreign Affairs of Somalia Mohamed
Abdullahi Omaar emphasized that Somalia's problems must be
solved by Somalis themselves, and stated that it was time to
end the "continuous reinvention of the wheel" inherent in
repeated international conferences and rebuild an
institutional base and operational State. Omaar stated that
his government is willing and ready to incorporate into the
Djibouti Peace Process any party that agrees to the
reestablishment of the rule-of-law, and pointed to a recent
agreement with Ahlu Sunna-wa Al Jamma as proof of this goal.
Omarr urged the Council to view Somalia within a subregional
context, calling Somalia a "cornerstone," for regional peace
and stability, and pointed to piracy as an example of an
issue felt "far beyond the boarders of Somalia." He said
that Somalis can achieve peace and reconciliation if
"external interference and vested external interests" that
wish to sustain the conflict are squelched.


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Permanent Member Views
--------------


5. (SBU) In the U.S. statement to the Council, Ambassador
Wolff condemned the continuing military offensives against
the TFG and urged donors to fulfill their pledges to AMISOM
and the Somali government, while lamenting the country's
worsening humanitarian situation. Pointing to reports of
Eritrea's support for insurgent groups operating Somalia,
Wolff stated that the "window is rapidly closing" for Eritrea
to move toward improved regional relations. Ambassador Wolff
also expressed concern at the "exponential increase" of
piracy activity and underscored the USG policy on offering no
concessions to hostage-takers and on not paying ransoms.


6. (SBU) The UK focused on the four areas it views as
priority: tackling the humanitarian crisis, building the
Djibouti Peace Process, improving the security situation and
addressing piracy. The UK, France, China and Russia stated
that the Somali security forces must be strengthened, and
France announced that the European Union will send a mission
to the region in mid-August to assess the forces' training
needs. On sanctions, France said that it would engage
actively in the Somalia Sanctions Committee ("751
Committee"),and the UK urged the Sanctions Committee it to
"act quickly and decisively" in designating those individuals
and entities recommended by the MG.



7. (SBU) Russia and China both called for the full staffing
and equipping of AMISOM, with China urging the United Nations
to provide a logistical package in support of the mission.
Russia noted that it is, "difficult to talk realistically
about expanding the UN presence in Somalia," at this time as
the international community's primary goal should be ensuring
security. China confirmed its support of the continuation of
reconciliation talks, urged countries in the region to exert
their influence on the peace process, and welcomed a recent
meeting of the Joint Security Committee in Mogadishu. On
piracy, Russia called for the creation of a legal structure
to prosecute those responsible, and suggested the
incorporation of legal assistance from countries neighboring
Somalia.

Other Member Views
--------------


8. (SBU) Council members unanimously deplored the continuing
attacks on the TFG and condemned the July 19 raids and forced
closure of UN offices in the south of Somalia. Members
welcomed the TFG's efforts to reach out to opposition groups,
including Ahlu Sunna-wa Al Jamma, and called on armed groups
to embrace the Djibouti Agreement. Members called for a
strengthening of AMISOM and the Somali security forces, and
expressed hope that reinforcements announced by African Union
member States would shortly arrive. Turkey announced that it
had already transferred half of its pledge to AMISOM and is
preparing to train peacekeepers and police in cooperation
with the United Nations. Many members pointed to piracy as a
critical destabilizing factor and lauded efforts such as the
European Union's "Operation Atalanta." Mexico favored the
creation of an additional working group within the Contact
Group to consider counter-piracy initiatives, and Turkey
noted its contribution of two brigades to assist. All
members addressed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in
Somalia, and most expressed concern about the recruitment of
child soldiers by insurgent groups.


9. (SBU) Both Mexico and Burkino Faso asked the SC to take
into account the African Union's call for the establishment
of a "no-fly" zone to support the TFG, and Mexico said that
creation of a security zone including ports will be a
fundamental factor for success. Libya focused on the World
Food Program's $136 million shortfall required for the three
million Somalis in need of food aid, and stated that illegal
fishing by foreign companies has depleted Somali marine
resources and must end.

Consultations on Somalia Sanctions
--------------


10. (SBU) After the open briefing on Somalia, Council
Members moved to the consultation rooms for an update on the
Somalia Sanctions Committee's activities. In his 120 day
report to the Security Council, Mexican Ambassador Heller and
Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee primarily focused on
the Committee's adoption of revised guidelines on May 11 and

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the MG's last report. Heller stated that the MG, the group of
experts mandated to monitor and improve the implementation of
sanctions, submitted a draft list of eleven names including
persons and entities believed to have violated measures
imposed in resolutions 1844 and 1853, and recommended a
number of procedural enhancements to the Committee. (REFTEL
USUN 00709, USUN 722).


11. (SBU) The UK, France, U.S., Uganda all supported sending
a clear message to opposition group members who contribute to
the destabilization efforts and increase violence in Somalia.
The U.S. condemned the involvement of external governments in
assisting in the destabilization efforts in Somalia and urged
committee members to cooperate in order to hold those
accountable for their actions. The UK urged the committee to
work expeditiously on sanctions designations, particularly
against Eritrea, and left open the possibility of an arms
export ban on Eritrea. France stated its readiness to
designate the two individuals associated with piracy but need
more time to consider the other names on the MG's list.
Austrian stated willingness to work with members of the
committee on implementation of the sanctions resolution but
cautioned against any actions as it would close already
limited channels of communication with Eritrea. No other
member took the floor.

RICE