

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08OTTAWA737, SOMALI DIASPORA HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08OTTAWA737.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08OTTAWA737 | 2008-06-03 15:30 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Ottawa |
VZCZCXRO0095
RR RUEHAG RUEHDE RUEHDF RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHQU RUEHROV
RUEHTRO RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #0737/01 1551530
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031530Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7949
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0383
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 0009
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0062
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0188
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA 0294
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC
RHMFIUU/HQ USNORTHCOM
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000737
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL CA SO
SUBJECT: SOMALI DIASPORA HIGHLIGHTS THE CHALLENGES OF
NATION-BUILDING
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a well-attended conference on May 22
with keynote speeches by Somali Transitional Federal
Government Foreign Minister Jangeli, former Prime Minister of
Canada Joe Clark, and AF DAS Jim Swan, the Canadian Friends
of Somalia attempted to raise awareness of the "problems and
challenges of nation-building in Somalia." The Somali
Diaspora here reflects the same clan divisions that would be
evident in Mogadishu, but this event succeeded in drawing out
a number of Canadian officials on the issue of support for
the TFG and helped to galvanize the community itself in its
efforts to assist their homeland. Given the drive to marshal
resources for a few missions rather than being spread thin
everywhere, the government of Prime Minister Harper will not
make Somalia a major priority. However, there are a few
niche areas -- conflict resolution, constitution writing, and
federalism -- where Canadian expertise could be helpful to
Somalia's reconstruction, while the Somali Diaspora here
could also play a supporting role. End Summary.
¶2. (SBU) On May 22, the Canadian Friends of Somalia, a
loosely-organized Diaspora group based in Ottawa, organized
a conference entitled "The Challenges and Opportunities of
Nation-Building in Somalia." According to one participant,
the group represents several but not all Somali clans (the
Hawiye in particular were apparently not present), as the
Diaspora here has brought with it various clan rivalries.
Over 200 Somali-Canadians, Canadian and U.S. public
officials, and NGO reps attended. The group obtained a
conference room on Parliament Hill through Liberal MP Boris
Wrzesnewskyj, whose Toronto Etobicoke "riding" (district) has
one of the highest concentrations of Somalis in Canada.
Wrzesnewskyj also addressed the conference, along with former
Prime Minister Joe Clark, TFG Foreign Minister Ali Jama
Jangeli, and, by teleconference, UN Special Envoy Ahmedou
Ould-Abdallah. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
African Affairs Jim Swan and Canadian Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade Director General for Africa
David Angell made presentations on U.S. and Canadian policy
toward Somalia specifically and Africa more generally.
FORMER PM CLARK -- IS AFRICA FALLING OFF CANADA'S MAP?
--------------------------------------------- ---------
¶3. (SBU) Former PM Clark suggested that the Somali Diaspora
-- about 20,000 in the Toronto area alone --
could have more influence on Canadian policy and on events in
its homeland if it were less divided, if the younger
generation (which is quickly getting disconnected from its
homeland) were more engaged, and if it received more
assistance from NGOs and/or the government to get better
organized. He admitted that there was no groundswell of
support in Canada for doing more for Africa, and commented
that the government was able largely to ignore the continent
and focus instead primarily on Afghanistan and the U.S. But
Clark, who has remained active in a number of NGOs and think
tanks working with African and Western hemispheric issues,
indicated that there were some creative ways for individuals
Qindicated that there were some creative ways for individuals
and groups to be helpful, citing "Project Plowshare," which
aims to stop remittances from going to weapons purchases, as
one example. Clark challenged the Canadian government to
focus on the good news coming out of much of Africa and pay
it more attention. Canada's niche on certain issues, Clark
said, as well as its moral standing, could make a difference
in Africa, asking "what other country will engage if we
don't?"
FM JANGELI ON THE SITUATION IN SOMALIA
--------------------------------------
¶4. (SBU) FM Ali Jama Jangeli, one of several Canadian-Somalis
who have returned to their homeland to take up high office,
explained that the TFG was working on several fronts. First,
it is pushing a short-term political process focused of
reconciliation among the clans and factions, offering full
support to the UN Special Envoy and the national
reconciliation process that will unfold in July. Second, it
OTTAWA 00000737 002 OF 003
is moving ahead on institution-building, which needs the
support of the international community and of Somalis
themselves. Third, it aims to facilitate humanitarian aid,
which is getting more difficult to get into Somalia because
piracy is driving the price of food up and making shipments
more problematic. Fourth, the TFG has a long-term road map
to democratic governance, culminating with elections in 2009
under a new constitution. Underlying all of this, Jangeli
emphasized, was security, without which none of these key
pillars could yield success. He commented that all areas
need to move forward and that they are mutually reinforcing,
not sequential.
¶5. (SBU) Jangeli's message to the international community was
that "it is time to do what is right," and to Canada "we
need your help." He urged that foreigners not remain
paralyzed by frustrations over the well-meaning but failed
efforts at nation-building in Somalia of the 1990's,
suggesting that "the situation is different now." He urged
the Diaspora to reconcile, stating that it remains more
divided than Somalis in the homeland. Finally, Jangeli
pointed to progress that is taking place already in parts of
Somalia -- functioning markets, 15 radio stations, freedom of
the press, and numerous cell phones -- as reasons for
optimism. He said in conclusion that Somalis and
international partners must be united to help Somalia finally
to pull itself together.
SPECIAL ENVOY OULD-ABDALLAH URGES DIASPORA TO RETURN AND HELP
--------------------------------------------- ----------------
¶6. (SBU) Special Envoy Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah focused his
remarks via teleconference on what the Diaspora could do to
help in Somalia's reconstruction. He said that the role of
Somalis living abroad was significant to the local economy,
with remittances annually of about US$1 billion. He
expressed satisfaction with the recent Djibouti meeting,
which many did not believe would succeed. Ould-Abdallah said
that he was now focused on five objectives: to resolve local
disputes peacefully; to attempt to impose a cease-fire; to
organize UN peacekeeping support; to increase humanitarian
access; and, to seek longer term reconciliation through a
truth and reconciliation process. He urged the Diaspora not
to bring back to Somalia the divisions of their respective
communities, and told the participants they were still needed
in Somalia.
DAS SWAN ON U.S. OBJECTIVES IN SOMALIA
--------------------------------------
¶7. (SBU) DAS Swan described U.S. priorities in Somalia,
notably encouraging political dialogue and reconciliation,
strengthening development and humanitarian relief, and
facilitating full deployment of an African Union peacekeeping
force. He called upon the Diaspora to play a helpful role in
Somalia's reconstruction, and warned against the desire of
some elements to play the role of spoiler. Swan detailed
U.S. humanitarian support for Somalia and our continuing
support for peacekeeping efforts. He commented that there
would be a real danger of stagnation if the political process
were delayed, and urged the participants to support the
Qwere delayed, and urged the participants to support the
ongoing progress.
DG ANGELL ON CANADA'S ROLE
--------------------------
¶8. (SBU) Canadian DG for Africa David Angell highlighted the
statement of then-Foreign Minister Bernier regarding Somalia
on February 1, in which the FM urged a political solution to
end the violence and keep the humanitarian pipeline open. He
acknowledged U.S. leadership in the evolution of the Contact
Group, and offered support for ongoing mediation efforts
between the TFG and opposition in the interest of reducing
the power of the spoilers. Angell confirmed that Canada
remains engaged in Somalia in a variety of areas, including
humanitarian assistance, media projects promoting a free
OTTAWA 00000737 003 OF 003
press, and support for political reconciliation.
¶9. (SBU) In a separate meeting with DAS Swan, Angell said
that Canada was "keen to be more involved with the
Contact Group." He called a "Catch 22" situation that Canada
had not been invited to be a full member because it was not
doing more, but that he was not able to interest his
superiors to have Canada do more because it is not a member
of the Contact Group. He expressed the hope that, with the
recent reorganization of the Cluster Groups, Canada's
involvement could now be more robust. Angell said that he
believes the approach of Ould-Abdallah to work on the first
track with Somalis and then move to include the international
community makes sense.
¶10. (SBU) Comment: Canada has provided C$15 million in
humanitarian assistance to Somalia since 2006, and another
C$3.75 million in regional funding to UN agencies, making
Somalia one of the 25 countries that receive Canadian
assistance, albeit not as one of Canada's top priorities.
Canada would nonetheless like to stay engaged in Somalia for
moral and domestic political reasons, but knows it does not
have the resources or clout to be one of the key players.
Still, given Somalia's need for help working through the
thorny issue of federalism, writing a constitution, and
reconciliation and conflict resolution, Canada's expertise
could be useful.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS