SOMALIA 1844 DESIGNATIONS: USUN REQUESTS TO ENGAGE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000986

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2019
TAGS: KPKO MARR MOPS PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SO UNSC
ER, DJ
SUBJECT: SOMALIA 1844 DESIGNATIONS: USUN REQUESTS TO ENGAGE
BEYOND P3

REF: A. STATE 096937

Classified By: RICE for reasons 1 (b),(d)


1. (U) This is an action request - please see paras 6-8.


2. (C) Summary: Per Department instructions (REF A),USUN has
shared with the P-3 a list of names we would consider
designating under UNSCR 1844 (2008),the Somalia UN targeted
sanctions regime established in November 2008. This list
includes names initially suggested by the UN Somalia
Monitoring Group (MG),as well as other U.S.-proposed
targets. USUN believes that the UN Somalia Sanctions
Committee should aim to make a first round of designations
before or just after the Council's mid-November review of the
regime, or risk criticism that the Council has not followed
through on implementing 1844. The French mission has
received limited instructions from Paris on these targets.
According to the UK mission, London supports designating
al-Shabaab and all of the individual names proposed by the
MG, including Eritrean targets, but has not received feedback
on additional U.S. proposals. USUN requests Washington
clearance to share the U.S. list of proposed designations
with other Committee members, starting with the P-5. USUN
also requests guidance on the extent to which we may update
the Somali UN mission about state of play. End summary.



3. (C) BACKGROUND: The Security Council's Somalia Sanctions
Committee ("751 Committee") has not designated any
individuals or entities since the Council established a new
targeted sanctions regime for Somalia (UNSCR 1844) on 20
November 2008. Under UNSCR 1844, the Committee may designate
individuals and entities found to be: threatening the peace,
security, or stability of Somalia, AMISOM, or the
Transitional Federal Institutions; violating the arms
embargo; or obstructing of humanitarian assistance. Pursuant
to UNSCR 1844, designated individuals are subject to a
worldwide asset freeze, travel ban, and ban on arms
transfers. USUN believes it is important to designate
targets prior or just after the Security Council's
mid-November review of the sanctions regime. If there are no
listings imminent, the Council would have adopted a new
targeted sanctions regime for Somalia without ensuring
adequate follow through on designations. Designating
Eritrean targets further underscores U.S. and Council
concerns over Eritrea's destablizing effects on Somalia.
Consensus is required for the 751 Committee to designate
targets. The timeline for 1844 designations must include
sufficient time for USUN to negotiate a package with
Committee members prior to designation.

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P-3 Reactions
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4. (C) Per Department instructions (REF A),USUN shared with
the UK and France on September 19, a list of names the U.S.
supports designating under UNSCR 1844 (2008). This list
included U.S. reaction to targets proposed by the UN Somalia
Monitoring Group (MG) as well as additional targets of
interest to the U.S. As of November 2, the French Mission in
New York has received limited feedback from Paris on the
proposed targets or additional information sought by the U.S.
The French stated that they can support the piracy targets
proposed by the MG, but have no further instructions on other
U.S.-proposed targets. The French mission recommended to
USUN POLOFF that this information be sought through Paris.


5. (C) The UK mission has received instructions from London
to support all the MG-proposed names. In particular, the UK
noted that they can support the three Eritrean targets
proposed by the MG, despite London's acknowledgement that
there are "weak" bioidentifiers (i.e., information like date
of birth or passport number that is required to implement the
sanctions effectively). As per instructions (REF A),USUN
discussed political implications of listing the Eritrean
Minister of Information, Ali Abdu Ahmed, for making public
statements, vice executing threatening or destablizing acts.
According to the UK, the UK does not share U.S. sensitivities
over designating indivuals for speech, alone. The UK shares

USUN NEW Y 00000986 002 OF 002


U.S. political concerns that designating Hisb-al Islam could
negatively impact or reverse positive defection trends and/or
shifting political alliances. The UK prefers designating
al-Shabaab in the 751 Committee, instead of the 1267
al-Qaeda/Taliban Sanctions Committee, but has not carefully
considered whether a designation under both regimes is
desirable. UKUN has no response from London on the
additional U.S.-proposed names and has not received
additional information to share with the U.S. on the proposed
targets. Finally, the UK mission could not comment on
whether the UK would co-designate the package when it is
formally submitted to the Committee for consideration.

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Steps forward: Action Requests
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6. (S/NF) USUN requests clearance to engage with Committee
members beyond the P-3, beginning with Russia and China
(Note: The Committee comprises current Security Council
members. End note). USUN also seeks Washington guidance on
the extent to which USUN may inform the Somali UN mission in
New York of proposed listings. USUN proposes sharing with
the P-5 and other Committee members our list of potential
targets (below),with the caveat that Washington clearance on
these names is not final:

- Yasin Ali Baynah;
- Hassan Dahir Aweys;
- Hassan Abdullah Hersi "Al-Turki";
- Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed "Godane";
- Isse Kamboni (additional name proposed by U.S.);
- Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (aka Fuad Shongale) (additional name
proposed by U.S.);
- Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud (additional name proposed by U.S.);
- Mohamed Sa'id "Atom" (additional name proposed by U.S.);
- Abshir Abdullahi "Boyah";
- Mohamed Abdi Garaad;
- Fares Mohammed Mana'a;
- Yemane Gebreab (Eritrean);
- Ali Abdu Ahmed (Eritrean);
- Tewelde Negash (aka Abdirahim Muse)(Eritrean); and
- Al-Shabaab (entity).


7. (S/NF) USUN also requests that Washington provide
information on the targets in para 6 that can be shared with
the Committee, particularly for the U.S. additions to the
MG's list and the Eritrean targets (Note: Eritrean targets
will be the most controversial in the 751 Committee.
Committee members have stated that evidence needs to be very
strong to support these designations. Some members have
expressed concern over targeting Yemane Gebreab, in
particular, since he is a key interlocutor for many states.
End Note).


8. (C) USUN seeks information from Embassies Paris and London
on discussions with respective counterparts on 1844
designations (Note: Per Ref A instructions, USUN also asked
the P-3 for additional information and bioidentifiers on
Colonel Te'ame/Dha'ami Goitom; Mohamed Abdi Hassan "Afweyne"
and Abshir Caato (aka Abshir Ato); no information has yet
been provided. End Note).
Rice