VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #2938 2511340
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081323Z SEP 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 6107
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 2150
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA IMMEDIATE 8214
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI IMMEDIATE 0852
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 6502
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI IMMEDIATE 3005
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 7614
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 092938
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PREL SO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: ACTIVITIES IN SOMALILAND AND PUNTLAND
1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2.
OBJECTIVES
----------
2. (SBU) Embassies Rome and Paris are asked to approach
appropriate host government officials to collect information
on their activities in the regions of Somaliland and Puntland
in Somalia. In particular, the Department is seeking
information about host government activities in each region
in the areas of development, humanitarian, and security
assistance, and the level of host government political
engagement with each region, as well as information on which
host government embassy (whether in Kenya, Ethiopia or
Djibouti) is primarily responsible for Somaliland and
Puntland. Please draw from the talking points in paragraph 3.
3. (SBU) Posts may draw from the following talking points in
approaching host governments:
-- The United States supports the Djibouti Peace Process and
the resulting Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in
Somalia. The TFG represents the best chance for stability in
Somalia that we have seen in many years. It is the product
of a Somali-led process that enjoys support from regional and
international partners.
-- The United States also remains engaged in Somaliland and
Puntland, and we are focused on continuing assistance to both
regions while simultaneously working to bolster and support
the TFG.
-- As we examine our engagement and assistance to both
Somaliland and Puntland, we would be interested in hearing
how you are engaging with both regions, including your
current and future levels of development, humanitarian and
security assistance, and how we can partner to achieve mutual
goals of stability in Somaliland and Puntland. We welcome
discussion on your plans for supporting all regions of
Somalia as the country struggles to overcome its troubled
history and retake its place among the family of nations.
-- The United States remains minimally engaged in Somaliland
and Puntland, and we are focused on continuing and expanding
our assistance to both semi-autonomous regions while
simultaneously working to bolster and support the TFG. While
U.S. diplomatic representation on Somalia is seated within
the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, our embassies in Djibouti and
Addis regularly engage with TFG, Somaliland and Puntland
officials and contacts.
REPORTING DEADLINE
------------------
4. (U) The Department greatly appreciates Post's assistance
and engagement on this issue. Please report results of this
effort via front-channel cable to AF/E Pamela Fierst and AF/E
Matt Walsh no later than Wednesday, September 9.
POINT OF CONTACT
----------------
5. (U) Please contact AF/E Pamela Fierst (x7-5082) or Matthew
Walsh (x7-8284) or via e-mail for any further background
information or talking points needed to meet demarche
objectives.
CLINTON