VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #5621 2902337
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 172328Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2663
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 5209
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9181
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 8894
RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHINGTON DC 8948
UNCLAS STATE 145621
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTFN PREL PTER UNSC XA ER
SUBJECT: NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1267 OBLIGATIONS:
HASSAN DAHIR AWEYS AND ERITREA
1. This is an action request. Please see paragraphs 3 and
4.
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SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES
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2. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was listed in November 2001
pursuant to UNSCR 1267 (Al-Qa'ida/Taliban sanctions) and
subsequent resolutions. The 1267 sanctions regime obliges
Member States to impose a travel ban, arms embargo and asset
freeze against all listed individuals/entities. Western
media recently reported that Aweys was present at the Somali
opposition conference in Asmara that began on September 6,
2007. The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) did not
apply for an exemption to the travel ban via the 1267
Committee to allow for Aweys,s travel. It therefore appears
that the GSE is in non-compliance with its 1267 obligations.
We would like to request that the UK and France join us in a
joint demarche in Asmara to express our displeasure with the
GSE,s apparent violation of 1267 sanctions.
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTION REQUEST
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3. FOR EMBASSIES PARIS AND LONDON: Department requests that
Embassies Paris and London ask French and UK embassy
officials to join us in Asmara to demarche the GSE on its
apparent non-compliance with its 1267 obligations to enforce
a travel ban on Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys. The purpose of the
demarche will be to request an immediate explanation for this
apparent transgression and to notify the GSE that, absent a
satisfactory explanation, we intend to raise this issue for
discussion in the 1267 Committee. We will underscore to the
GSE that the travel ban ) which obligates member states to
prohibit entry and/or transit through their territory of
sanctioned individuals ) is an important facet of
al-Qaida/Taliban sanctions. We intend to advise the GSE that
it should inform the 1267 Sanctions Committee and/or the
relevant state(s) of transit or entry as it learns of plans
by Aweys for any further travel, with the exception of travel
directly to Somalia (Aweys,s country of
residency/citizenship).
4. FOR USUN: Department requests USUN coordinate with IO/PSC
on timing to notify the Eritrean Permrep, simultaneous to the
anticipated delivery of a P-3 demarche in Asmara, that we
will be delivering a demarche in Asmara asking for an
explanation for Aweys,s travel to Eritrea. We will inform
the Eritrean Permrep that, absent a satisfactory explanation
for Aweys's travel to Eritrea, we intend to raise the issue
in the 1267 Committee.
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REPORTING DEADLINE
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5. Embassies Paris and London should report the results of
efforts no later than COB Friday, October 19.
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BACKGROUND
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6. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was added to the UN 1267
Consolidated List on November 9, 2001, based upon his
connection to Al-Qa,ida-linked Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya
(AIAI).
7. Despite the travel ban imposed under UNSC Resolution 1267
and modified in subsequent resolutions, Aweys has continued
to travel abroad. The most recent report from the 1267
Monitoring Team found that Sheikh Aweys has been allowed to
travel, in apparent violation of the travel ban, on several
occasions, including unauthorized visits to Saudi Arabia,
Libya, and Eritrea. Most recently, Western media indicated
that Aweys attended the Somali opposition conference held in
Asmara beginning on September 6, 2007.
8. Eritrea did not petition the 1267 Committee for an
exemption to permit Aweys to travel into Eritrea. By
allowing Aweys entry, it appears Eritrea acted in clear
violation of UNSCR 1267 and subsequent resolutions.
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POINT OF CONTACT
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9. Inquiries may be directed to IO/PSC (Erin Crowe,
202-736-7847).
RICE