VZCZCXYZ0011
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLO #2333 2861619
ZNY CCCCC ZZH (CCY ADC3AB84 BDI2270-695)
P 131619Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3717
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL PRIORITY 0065
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0611
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 002333
NOFORN
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV XY GA EU UK
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: UK CONCERNED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, NO PROGRESS ON EU ARTICLE 8 PROCESS REF: BANJUL 235
Classified By: Political Counselor Robin Quinville, reasons 1.4 (b/d).
(C/NF) UK Foreign Office West Africa team leader Paul Welsh told poloff October 13 that the UK remains concerned about
human rights in The Gambia and the recent conviction of the journalists (reftel). Welsh said the UK has tried to exert
external pressure on President Jammeh, but has to date not found an effective means. Welsh said The Gambia is "not
taking seriously" the EU Article 8 consultations. No ministers have participated in the dialogue thus far. Welsh said
the UK is not expecting much from the next meeting at the end of November when the EU Presidency will send a
representative to Banjul. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX
SUSMAN