VZCZCXRO8794
OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNR #2304 3081430
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041430Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1472
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS NAIROBI 002304
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA AND AF/E
ALSO FOR S/CT ZROTHSCHILD
ALSO FOR IIP/CTCC MAUSTEIN AND JVANDEVELDE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PTER MOPS SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PD ACTIVITIES UPDATE, NOVEMBER 4
REF: 07 STATE 116686
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Summary
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1. (SBU) Per ref B, Post submits the following update for the
first week of November 2009. End Summary.
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PD Activities
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2. (SBU) The Somalia Unit, including the Military Information
Support Team (MIST) dedicated to Somalia, performed para. 3-7
activities since the last report:
3. (SBU) The Somalia Unit continues to work with the Minister
of Information in an effort to augment the Transitional
Federal Government's (TFG) media efforts. In conjunction
with this effort, the minister recently secured a new
transmitter for Radio Mogadishu. This transmitter has
increased the broadcast range from a few blocks to 100
kilometers from Mogadishu. Somalia Unit is working with
AF/PD to coordinate an assistance package that will include a
media expert, a backup transmitter, and other items necessary
to strengthen the ministry. In the meantime, the Somalia
Unit continues to offer suggestions and advice on the TFG's
outreach efforts.
4. (SBU) The Somalia Unit hosted a reception on October 13 to
commemorate Somalia's Flag Day, which had been suggested by
contacts as a holiday free from political, clan or other
negative historical baggage. A committee of Somalis
coordinated the programming, which appealed to the patriotism
of all Somalis. The reception resulted in wide and positive
media coverage and excellent feedback from the attendees.
5. (SBU) Somalia Unit helped facilitate a press roundtable
for Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and
Migration (PRM) Eric Schwartz and Ambassador Ranneberger on
October 22. A/S Schwartz reviewed his travel to refugee
camps in Kenya and the DRC, highlighting U.S. efforts to aid
the refugees as well as U.S. efforts to achieve stability in
Somalia. We followed the press conference with a November 2
press release to Somalia media, coordinated with PRM.
6. (SBU) PAO attended the worldwide PAO conference in
mid-October and engaged in fruitful consultations with
several offices in AF.
7. (SBU) MIST activity: The MIST has continued to broadcast
moderate Islamic, anti-violence messages throughout Somalia
and the Northeastern Province of Kenya. The youth
anti-violence drama 'Maslaxo' (mediation) continues to be
broadcast in Mogadishu and in Puntland. The MIST also
continues planning CDs and comic books to augment the Islamic
and youth programs. In support of the newly-revamped Radio
Mogadishu, MIST is developing a pro-TFG radio advertisement
and video promoting Somali nationalism & reconciliation.
RANNEBERGER