INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Somalia - No Cease Fire in Joint Communique

Published: Mon 22 Sep 2008 02:14 PM
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RR RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNR #2233 2661414
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221414Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7123
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 0402
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 7391
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
RHMFIUQCDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS NAIROBI 002233
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS KDEM EAID EWWT SO
SUBJECT: Somalia - No Cease Fire in Joint Communique
1. From October 17-21 Transitional Federal Government and Alliance
for the Re-Liberation of Somalia joint High Level and Security
committees met in Djibouti to advance implementation of June 9 peace
agreement. At the conclusion of the meetings, the parties issued a
communique, the text of which follows in paragraph two.
2. Embassy comment will follow after consultations with the UN
Political Office for Somalia and signatory parties. We note,
however, the communique does not include an expected ceasefire
declaration per se; rather, item four calls for further discussion
of a cease fire within 15 days "following field assessments and
assessments...to jointly develop viable technical modalities
for...implementation." The joint committees also pledged to
reconvene within 30 days.
Begin Communique Text:
1. The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for
the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) held a second round of meetings
of the High Level Committee and the Joint Security Committee in
Djibouti from 17 to 21 September 2008. The international community,
including the United Nations, diplomats from regional organizations
(African Union, European Union, League of Arab States, the
Organization of Islamic Conference) and individual countries, as
well as representatives of Somali civil society, attended.
2. The two Committees continued their discussions on practical
means of implementing the Djibouti Agreement.
3. The Parties agreed to continue the political dialogue between
themselves and make efforts to move forward on issues relating to
political cooperation, reconciliation, justice and human rights. The
Parties agreed to work together through sub-committees to address
issues of institutional capacity building, constitution,
humanitarian issues and recovery, reconstruction and development.
4. The Parties agreed to conduct field assessments and
consultations as well as meet within 15 days to jointly develop
viable military technical modalities for the implementation of the
ceasefire.
5. They welcomed all efforts undertaken by Somali nationals inside
and outside Somalia, as well as those of the international
community, particularly the International Contact Group for Somalia
to help implement the Djibouti Agreement.
6. The Parties agreed to form a Board as a mechanism to facilitate
and coordinate the response to the humanitarian situation. They call
on the international community to urgently provide humanitarian
assistance to the needy people of Somalia. The Parties reaffirmed
their strong determination to help ensure unhindered humanitarian
access and assistance.
7. The Parties reassure the Somali population on their
determination to strengthen their commitment for peace, stability,
unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and dignity in Somalia.
8. The Parties again thank the Government and people of Djibouti
for their hospitality during the meetings of the High Level
Committee and the Joint Security Committee.
9. The Parties express their appreciation to the UN Special
Representative Mr. Ahmedou Ould Abdallah for his commitment and
tireless efforts in moving the Somali peace process forward as well
as the international community for its generous support and invite
it to continue supporting the Djibouti Agreement.
10. The next meeting of the High Level and Joint Security
Committees will take place within 30 days.
Djibouti
21 September 2008
End Communique Text
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