R 081601Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9838
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
CIA WASHDC
REUKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS WINDHOEK 000097
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MASS MARR WA
SUBJECT: NAMIBIA TO REVIEW U.S. SOFA PROPOSAL
REF: (A) 07 Windhoek 542, (B) 07 STATE 117159
1. (U) During a March 7 meeting, the Ambassador told Foreign
Minister Marco Hausiku that the USG would be pleased to enter into
negotiations to discuss the draft Status of Forces Agreement that
the Embassy provided to MFA officials in November 2007 (ref A) and
the Ambassador again delivered on April 27 in the form of a letter
to the Foreign Minister. The Ambassador explained that the SOFA
text in and of itself was not specifically related to AFRICOM, ACOTA
or other programs that the GRN may or may not agree with; however,
it was a general text that would govern bilateral military
cooperation. As such the USG welcomed discussions and negotiations
on its content to ensure it fit our bilateral needs.
2. (U) Hausiku said the MFA would put the draft text through
internal review procedures and would get back to us in the future.
Without indicating a preference for or against negotiating a SOFA,
Hausiku said that he appreciated a relationship in which we could be
honest with each other about our expectations.
Meeting Participants
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3. (U) Hausiku included in the meeting all his senior staff
members: Permanent Secretary Ambassador Veiccoh Ngihwete, Deputy PS
Ambassador Hinyangerwa Asheeke, Head of Multilateral Affairs
Ambassador Martin Andjanba, Head of Bilateral Affairs Ambassador
Wilbard Helao, Deputy Director for Bilateral Affairs Jerobeam
Shaanika, and U.S. Desk Officer Morina Muujondjo. Poloff attended
as notetaker.
MATHIEU