US embassy cable - 04ROME1923

C O N F I D E N T I A L  ROME 001923 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR AF AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, SO, IT, UN 
SUBJECT: SOMALIA PEACE PROCESS - ITALIANS SEEK US SUPPORT 
 
REF: NAIROBI 01752 
 
Classified By: Pol M/C Tom Countryman for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
Summary 
------------------------------ 
 
1. (C) Bruno Cabras, MFA Director General for Sub-Saharan 
Africa, requested a meeting with Pol M/C to discuss EU 
actions on and request US assistance for the Somalia National 
Reconciliation Conference. Cabras stressed that the peace 
process must result in a minimal level of stability and 
governance. He stated that negotiations are at a "make-it or 
break-it point" and that the EU is working hard to ensure a 
positive outcome by issuing a EU declaration (expected May 
18) and demarching IGAD capitals in preparation for the May 
20 meeting. Cabras  requested that the US support these 
efforts by sending a visible signal of interest and 
encouragement to IGAD members, encouraging Ethiopia to be 
cooperative and consistent, and convincing the UN to support 
the African Union (AU) in its efforts to provide 
observers/peacekeepers and enforce the UN arms embargo. 
Cabras focused on the need for political and diplomatic 
support and was cautiously optimistic that the current 
negotiations could result in a peace agreement and a 
sustainable cessation of hostilities, especially if 
"encouragement" from the US and the UN is perceived by the 
parties. He expressed concern that if there are no positive 
results then the situation could deteriorate even further and 
present a serious security concern in the region.  End 
Summary. 
 
 
Italian/EU Role 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (C) Due to Italian efforts, Cabras stated that there is 
increasing interest among EU countries, especially the UK, 
Ireland, France, Denmark and Sweden in ensuring a successful 
outcome to the peace process. In addition to issuing a 
declaration in Brussels and Dublin (expected May 18), Cabras 
stated that the EU countries are working to develop points to 
help guide the May 20 negotiations and resolve the main 
issues concerning the selection of the transitional assembly 
members and powersharing agreements. Cabras stressed that 
these issues must be resolved in order to ensure a minimal 
level of stability and governance. 
 
3. (C) Once a peace agreement and a cessation of hostilities 
are achieved, the EU and the international community can 
begin to provide humanitarian and development assistance. 
Cabras mentioned that Italy would host a donor's conference 
in Rome and that the EC has funds, previously earmarked for 
Somalia, that will be available if an agreement is reached. 
 
 
US Support 
------------------------- 
 
4. (C) Cabras stated that US support is crucial to making the 
peace process succeed. He requested US support in three 
areas. First, that the US exhibit a greater sense of interest 
in and encouragement for the process by visibly sending a 
signal of support to IGAD members prior to the May 20 
meeting. Cabras believes that a US message of support coupled 
with the EU declaration and demarches in IGAD capitals will 
show a degree of international interest and help move the 
process forward. 
 
5. (C) Second, that the US encourage and reassure the 
Ethiopians that it is in their best interest to have the 
peace process succeed and that their security concerns are 
well known and will be taken into consideration. Cabras 
commented that the Ethiopians had returned to the IGAD 
Facilitation Committee, appeared to have put aside their 
differences with Djibouti and participated positively in the 
May 6 meeting. He stressed that for the process to succeed 
the Ethiopians must continue to be cooperative participants. 
 
6. (C) Third, Cabras requested US help in convincing the UN 
to take on a more proactive role by supporting the steps 
achieved in Nairobi and by providing support to the AU's 
peacekeeping project. Specifically, Cabras felt the UN could: 
provide the AU support with its feasibility study for 
peacekeeping; provide professional knowledge and experience 
in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and 
 
monitoring; provide expertise in institutional and capacity 
building; assist with the proper channeling of Somali 
diaspora interests; and more actively enforce the UN arms 
embargo. 
 
 
Security 
-------------------- 
 
7. (C) Cabras expressed concern about immediate and future 
security issues stating that if the peace process succeeds 
the international community would need to carefully monitor 
the subsequent transformation and the new leadership. He 
stated that security in Somalia needed to be managed at a 
political level and not only through security measures. He 
stated that there has been an increase in the presence and 
activity of terrorist groups and in the flow of arms into 
Somalia. Lastly, he stated that due to the "winner take all" 
nature of the process, internal factions could resist the new 
leadership and thus lead to a repressive regime. Cabras 
stressed that EU, US, UN and international interest and 
support are crucial to make the process succeed, to ensure 
that agreements are real and respected and to ensure greater 
regional and international security. 
 
 
Action Request 
------------------------- 
 
8. (C) Pol M/C thanked Cabras and assured him that post would 
relay his requests to the Department. Post requests guidance 
regarding the USG view of the Somalia peace process and 
specific responses to Cabras' requests. 
 
Visit Rome's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/rome/index.cf m 
 
SKODON 
 
 
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 2004ROME01923 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL