US embassy cable - 05BRUSSELS1109

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 001109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT, PLEASE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/17/2015 
TAGS: PREL, EAID, SO, USEU BRUSSELS 
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - IGAD DEPLOYMENT PLAN: EU RESPONSE 
 
REF: SECSTATE 47850 
 
Classified By: PRMOFF MARC J. MEZNAR.  REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) The EU broadly shares U.S. concerns over the IGAD 
peacekeeping plan.  However, it prefers a low-profile 
approach which allows the plan to collapse under its own 
weight for lack of Somali support.  The EU will not fund any 
peacekeeping operation that includes troops from frontline 
states.  The EU views the current peace process as a window 
of opportunity and hopes the U.S. will join in providing 
assistance to solidify gains and rebuild the country.  End 
Summary. 
 
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EU Council:  Shares U.S. Concerns 
------------------------ 
 
2. (C) On March 17, PRMOFF discussed points contained in 
reftel with the Head of the EU Council,s Africa Task Force 
Koen Vervaeke and with DG Development Somalia Desk Officer 
Michele Cervone.  Vervaeke said that the EU has yet to react 
publicly to the IGAD plan, but that Member States expressed 
many of the same concerns raised in reftel during the COAFR 
working group in mid-February.   Vervaeke said that at a PSC 
meeting on March 15, the EU agreed on the following four 
points: 
 
-- No action can be taken until there is full agreement by 
the transitional government for the IGAD plan; 
-- Although Ethiopia,s interest is understandable, it cannot 
be part of the peacekeeping force; however, Ethiopians could 
work on outside activities, such as planning support; 
-- Sudan cannot be part of the peacekeeping force; and, 
-- Better communication is needed among the principal actors 
(i.e., IGAD, AU, the Somali factions, and the CMC). 
 
3. (C) Vervaeke said that on March 16 the EU had received 
planning documents for the IGAD peacekeeping mission. 
However, the plans contained many problems, including the 
inclusion of frontline states, no clarity of mandate and 
unclear relationship between IGAD and the AU.  For these 
reasons, the EU is nowhere near ready to discuss financing 
options for any peacekeeping mission. 
 
4. (C) Vervaeke expressed optimism over the possibility of 
peace in Somalia and said the EU would work hard to keep the 
opportunity alive.  He said that both the European Commission 
(EC) and EU Council Secretariat would participate (at a 
working level) at the April 21 meeting of the CMC. 
 
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EC:  Interested in U.S. strategy 
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5, (C) Cervone repeated many of the points made by Vervaeke, 
but with more emphasis on U.S. thinking and future 
contributions.  He noted that while the EC shared many of the 
U.S.,s concerns about the IGAD plans, their strategy to move 
the peace process forward was different.  Cervone said that 
the EC, as the largest donor to Somalia, had been engaged in 
quiet diplomacy for quite some time while the U.S. (as well 
as the EU Member States) have largely been absent from the 
scene.  Instead of publicly saying "no" to peacekeeping 
troops from front-line states, the EC prefers this opinion be 
expressed by Somalis themselves.  Cervone said that in order 
for the EC to provide any funds for peacekeeping, the request 
must have the support of all factions in Somalia, as well as 
endorsement from the AU and the UN. 
 
6. (C) Cervone said that the EC expected the IGAD plan to 
wither away and the Hawiye Plan put forth by the Parliament 
to gather steam.  He noted that the draft IGAD plan received 
in Brussels on March 16 was unfeasible, both for political 
and technical reasons.  Cervone mentioned that the "strong" 
U.S. statement regarding IGAD came as a "small bomb" in the 
IGAD meeting and may have hardened the Ethiopian stance. 
 
7. (C) DG Development Director for East, South and the Horn 
of Africa Anders Henriksson will be in Washington March 21-22 
for discussions with the Department on a variety of issues, 
including Somalia.  Cervone said this will be a good 
opportunity to hear more from the U.S. regarding its vision, 
political strategy and funding sources for solidifying peace 
in Somalia. 
 
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EC:  Robust assistance program 
------------------------ 
 
8. (C) According to Cervone, the EC has had no problem 
disbursing the approximately 50 million euros per year that 
it has earmarked for Somalia.  (Note.  Unlike most other 
African countries, the EC can make decisions without 
consulting Somali authorities or gaining their approval for 
lack of a full-fledged, functioning government.  End note.) 
This year,s priorities include training police and 
supporting the reconciliation process.  The EC has also 
earmarked 5 million euros, channeled through UNDP, to help 
relocate the government.  Cervone said that the CMC, a 
mini-donor roundtable, is expected to take place in late 
April to garner financial support for the relocation project 
and related security expenses. 
 
9. (C) Cervone also said the EC looks forward to U.S. 
participation at the large donor conference that is scheduled 
to take place in Rome at the end of this year, where the 
World Bank and UN needs assessments will be presented to the 
donors. 
 
McKINLEY 
.