US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1154

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001154 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2009 
TAGS: PREL, DJ, KPAO, PTER 
SUBJECT: THE MESSAGE IS MISSING 
 
 
Classified By: CDA: REGribbin for reasons 1.5 b&d 
 
 1. (C) Summary. While most elements of the global war on 
terrorism are functioning well in the Horn of Africa, a key 
ingredient - the message in the Somali language to the people 
of the region - is missing. It is time to think again how to 
add this component to the mix. Post suggests Somali language 
broadcasts from the new IBB transmitting facility in 
Djibouti. End summary. 
 
2. (C) As addressees are aware much effort is going into 
learning about and containing the bad guys in this part of 
the world. Those charged with that responsibility are doing 
well. Additionally, programs included in the East Africa 
Counter Terrorism Initiative (EACTI) are doing their part to 
improve the counter-terrorism capabilities of HOA nations. 
Finally under both State/USAID and military aegis, 
development, grass roots and humanitarian projects are 
winning the hearts and minds of local communities. What is 
missing, however, is a wider communications effort designed 
to bring the message of friendship, non-confrontation with 
Islam and peace to the masses, especially Somali speakers who 
are the hosts, the recruits and the supporters of inimicable 
elements. Secondly, we judge that as the politics of Somalia 
and Somaliland mature, it behooves us to be better placed to 
foster the evolution of the sort of governments and polices 
conducive to global norms. Accomplishment of this will be 
difficult without a better means of communication to decision 
makers. 
 
3. (C) Despite the excellent public relations products 
produced by regional embassies and CJTF-HOA, we doubt if much 
American generated information gets through to Somali 
speakers, who are found in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia's Ogaden 
and Djibouti. Although Radio Sawa in Arabic now broadcasts 
from Djibouti, its transmissions are oriented towards the 
Arab world and, even though in the language of the mosques, 
they are largely unheard and poorly understood in the Horn of 
Africa. What we need is equivalent programming in the Somali 
language as well as the ability to tailor messages 
specifically to the circumstances in the Horn. We used to 
have some of this in VOA's Somali service. Now is the time to 
resurrect it if we are to have a solid chance to form 
attitudes in the region in a positive direction. Right now, 
America's absence from the radio airways concedes influence 
to the radicals, especially in regions where the USG has no 
community relations work on the ground. Let there be no doubt 
that our opponents capitalize on this advantage. 
 
4. (C) We have thought about several means to rectify the 
situation. First, we would not be adverse to offering 
government controlled Radio Djibouti an hour or so per day of 
U.S. produced programming. Radio Djibouti can be heard in 
Djibouti, the Ogaden and Somaliland. We would caution that 
this service and the GODj would likely be reluctant to use 
programming that seemed to them to be too political. We 
cannot judge much in advance where they would draw the line, 
but would have a better feel for it after discussions - were 
we authorized to do so. 
 
5. (C) An alternative would be to re-invigorate a daily 
Somali hour or two on VOA broadcasts to the region. 
 
6. (C) A third option would be to add a Somalia aimed 
transmitter to the new Djibouti broadcasting facility built 
for Radio Sawa by IBB and from that beam programming into the 
Horn. This would probably require an amendment to our 
agreement with the GODj, but we believe that is doable. 
Programming for such a station would all be Washington 
generated and merely rebroadcast from here. 
 
7. (C) Comment:  Apparently, this crucial element of the GWOT 
in the Horn of Africa slipped off the screens, but with the 
new installation of the IBB facility in Djibouti it is time 
to revisit it to see what might be done to rectify the 
situation. Please advise. 
GRIBBIN