VZCZCXRO4138
PP RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHRO #1938 2541607
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 111607Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8971
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHMIL/AMCONSUL MILAN PRIORITY 8919
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 2610
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 2746
UNCLAS ROME 001938
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SO IT
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: COMMUNIQUE OF SEPTEMBER 10 ICG MEETING
1. The International Contact Group (ICG) on Somalia met in
Rome September 10. Details will follow septel. The text of
the comminque issued by the ICG at the conclusion of the
meeting is in paragraph 2.
2. Begin text of comminique.
International Contact Group on Somalia
Rome, 10 September 2007
Communique
The International Contact Group (ICG) met in Rome to review
the political, security and humanitarian developments in
Somalia, with particular regard to the implications of the
outcome of the National Reconciliation Congress (NRC) and the
adoption of UNSC Res. 1772. The ICG, while recognising some
improvements in security, expressed its concerns regarding
the continued violence and insecurity in Somalia,
particularly attacks by terrorists and extremists and
targeted assassinations of those working towards peace and
stability.
The ICG welcomed the commitments of the NRC held in Mogadishu
as well as those by President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed at the
closing session to "pave a new political path that will win
the confidence of the Somali people" and to continue the
dialogue. The ICG will follow carefully further developments
in the intra-Somali political dialogue with opposition
groups. The ICG calls upon the Transitional Federal
Institutions (TFIs) to implement in good faith the
recommendations of the NRC, including the urgent drawing up
of a road map for the remainder of the transitional period
leading to multi-party, free and democratic elections in
2009, as set out in the Transitional Federal Charter.
Within this frame, specific provisions must be sought to
guarantee fully the fundamental human rights as a key
condition to the viability of the process leading to free
democratic elections. The ICG takes note of the key role
women play within the Somali political process, as recognized
by the NRC, and encourages this to be intensified. The ICG
welcomed the Res. 1772 calling for the strengthening of the
ability of UNPOS to fulfill its role in supporting the
political process. The ICG welcomed the appointment of the
new UN SRSG.
The ICG emphasized the continued need to address the
deteriorating humanitarian situation, including its root
causes, urges the TFG to do everything in its capacity to
facilitate humanitarian access and stresses the need for all
parties to abide by their obligations under international
humanitarian law. The ICG stands ready to support the TFG and
Somali civil society organizations, also by contributing to
build up their capacity, and enhanced UN efforts to respond
to humanitarian needs.
The ICG reiterates the need for a verifiable, comprehensive
ceasefire arrangement leading to voluntary disarmament and
the re-establishment of an inclusive and representative
security sector. The ICG calls on all Somali stakeholders to
renounce violence, to participate in the political dialogue
and reject extremists seeking to prevent a successful process.
The ICG commends the role of AMISOM and calls upon countries
to expedite their contribution of additional troops and to
provide further funding. The full and timely deployment of
AMISOM will help create the conditions for an Ethiopian
withdrawal. The ICG calls for the urgent planning and
deployment of a UN mission in Somalia.
End text.
SPOGLI