

Currently released so far... 12553 / 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
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
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
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09PARIS1339, U.S.-FRANCE-EU DISCUSS SAHEL SECURITY ISSUES
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. #09PARIS1339.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09PARIS1339 | 2009-09-30 09:34 | 2010-12-06 21:30 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Paris |
VZCZCXRO7770
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHFR #1339/01 2730934
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 300934Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY PARIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7254
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 1106
RHMFIUU/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 PARIS 001339
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF, INL, AND S/CT
LONDON AND LISBON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
DOD FOR AF:HUDDLESTON
NSC FOR AF:GAVIN
DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR GAST
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PREL PINR EAID EU UK MA NG MR NI AG FR
SUBJECT: U.S.-FRANCE-EU DISCUSS SAHEL SECURITY ISSUES
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. government representatives met
French, British, and European Union officials on
September 10 in Paris to review efforts to address the
security threat posed by terrorism in Africa's Sahel and
Maghreb regions. There was broad agreement that the USG,
France, and other third countries should identify areas of
cooperation and mechanisms to coordinate and de-conflict
efforts to improve multilateral and individual country
capacity in the region to address immediate and long-term
threats from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The
discussions focused on factors influencing the region's
ability to address the AQIM threat, including the Sahel
countries' lack of law enforcement and military capacity; the
complexity of state relations with its nomadic populations,
e.g. the Tuareg and Berbiche ethnic groups, the profitability
of illicit trade and kidnapping networks; the need for
Algeria to work more closely with its neighbors; the
importance of better donor coordination; and undermining
recruitment efforts that could expand the scope of radical
Islam in West and Central Africa. Participants agreed on the
need to meet in the future to exchange information regarding
each other's efforts in region. END SUMMARY.
¶2. (SBU) Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Johnnie Carson led a high-level interagency delegation in
discussions with a French delegation led by Under Secretary
for Political Affairs (P)-equivalent Policy Director Jacques
Audibert and Africa A/S-equivalent Stephane Gompertz. The
U.S. and French delegations were joined by British and
European Union counterparts for the afternoon session. The
discussion began with an exchange of information on the
current security and political situation in the Sahel, which
Gompertz described as France's "main area of concern" in
sub-Saharan Africa and was followed by exchanges on a wide
range of critical factors related to the region's terrorist
threat. Martin Julliard, France's Head of Transnational
Threats Section, Strategic and Security Affairs Department at
the MFA, said that AQIM's political agenda was not well
understood and was evolving over time. He noted that AQIM is
targeting westerners, but it was not clear whether it wanted
to challenge the legitimacy of governments or even the
states. Participants noted that while AQIM's northern group
remains concentrated on Algeria, elements of the southern
group have shifted away from acting primarily as logistical
support for northern operations and have increased planning
and operations in the Sahel. It was emphasized that the
southern group remained linked with its northern leadership,
but has made inroads in recruiting in the Sahel, particularly
in Mauritania, and has increased the scope and sophistication
of its operations in parts of the Sahel during the past year.
USG and French participants considered whether there were
opportunities to exploit apparent divisions within AQIM.
Remi Marechaux, an Africa Advisor to President Sarkozy summed
up the situation succinctly, "we feel we are losing the
battle between improved development in these countries and
the increasing security threats in the region."
LACK OF CAPACITY
----------------
¶3. (SBU) There was broad agreement among the participants
that the focus countries of the conference (Mauritania, Mali,
and Niger) lack the resources to fully control their vast
territories. In addition, lack of governmental capacity
remains a serious hindrance in terms of military/security
effectiveness and developmental progress. The EU chair noted
that each country posed specific challenges for partners in
addressing security threats:
-- Mali, where in addition to capacity constraints, there are
questions about the government's willingness to confront and
engage AQIM militarily, despite clear indications that AQIM
maintains a degree of impunity within its Northern Mali
"sanctuaries." S/CT Coordinator Daniel Benjamin noted that
Mali is perhaps becoming more helpful, but French speakers
consistently referred to the Malian position as "ambiguous"
and "enigmatic;"
-- Mauritania, which may possess greater political will for
taking-on AQIM, but political instability following the
recent coup hampered efforts to support its CT efforts; and
PARIS 00001339 002 OF 005
-- Niger, where recent un-democratic maneuvering by
President Tandja makes it difficult to offer new assistance.
NSC Senior Advisor Michelle Gavin underscored that our CT
efforts cannot undercut our governance and democracy
priorities in Africa. While remarking that President Tandja
had already "won his gamble" to secure a third term and the
French will focus their attention on pushing for credible
elections, Gompertz stated that France did not have a clear
strategy to balance its CT objectives with the urgency of
promoting good governance and constitutional rule in the
country.
PROFITS FROM ILLICIT TRADE AND KIDNAPPING
-----------------------------------------
¶4. (SBU) France's MOD Director of Strategic Affairs Pascal
Texeira noted that AQIM is commonly understood to have only
about 150 fighters in the Sahel, but it has significant
financial resources for obtaining weapons and logistic
support such as vehicles and radios from profitable illicit
trafficking networks, including arms, people, drugs, and
other contraband. Of even greater concern is AQIM's apparent
success in securing large ransom sums for kidnapped
westerners. When asked, U.K. FCO Director for Africa Adam
Wood confirmed that following the January murder of U.K.
hostage Edwin Dyer, his country would play a more active role
in the region, and would certainly support an AU initiative
at the UN to rally international opposition against ransom
payments in cases of piracy and hostage-taking, which he
believed was being spearheaded by Algeria. Participants had
not yet seen a draft of the resolution.
¶5. (SBU) Developing a better understanding of Tuareg
activities and motivations was seen as an important priority,
especially since they develop ad-hoc agreements with AQIM
elements in support of trafficking and perhaps kidnapping.
Texeira stated that Mali views the threat of a new Tuareg
rebellion as more dangerous than that from AQIM, and neither
Mali nor Niger could count on Tuareg leaders to fight against
AQIM. French and USG analysts also noted that breakdowns in
traditional ethnic political, social and economic networks
was potentially destabilizing.
NEED TO INVOLVE ALGERIA
-----------------------
¶6. (SBU) A/S Carson raised the importance of getting
Algeria involved in multi-national efforts to combat AQIM,
and also for Algeria to work in concert directly with Mali to
disrupt AQIM and criminal networks. "There can be no
solution without Algeria," according to Texeira, who thought
that Algeria would work with regional partners, but did not
want to be implicated with "outside players." They noted
that Algeria engages in limited intelligence-sharing and has
made inquiries about other forms of counterterrorism
assistance, but remains reticent about enhanced cooperation
with potential western partners.
Participants viewed positively Algeria's plans to organize a
regional security summit in the coming months, but they
agreed that there was relatively little information about
summit objectives or the agenda.
TREAT OF SPREADING RADICALISM
-----------------------------
¶7. (SBU) The potential spread of AQIM (or some other brand
of radicalized and violent Islam) in Africa was also a
recurring issue. In particular, participants expressed deep
concern that northern Nigeria is at risk of such influence.
AQIM personnel or facilitators had also reportedly been
identified in Niger and Senegal recently. Guinea-Bissau and
Guinea are also at risk should AQIM make greater inroads into
the West African narcotics trade, according to Gilles de
Kerchove, the European Union Council's Coordinator for
Counter Terrorism. Part of the problem is that
disenfranchised young men from the southern parts of the
Sahel are moving north and joining the group.
Participants agreed on the need for a greater understanding
of how AQIM successfully recruited militants/fighters/suicide
bombers, especially from
Mauritania. (Note: during a lunchtime conversation,
France's Ambassador to Mauritania explained to INR Analyst
PARIS 00001339 003 OF 005
Bernadette Graves and Embassy Paris Africa Watcher that he
sees no clear trend, nor does he understand the reasons for,
AQIM's apparent success in recruiting young Mauritanians. He
notes that these recruits have come from a variety of
backgrounds and ethnic groups and the trend does not fit the
commonly held view of Mauritania as a moderate, tolerant
Muslim country with Sufi traditions. End note.)
DONOR COORDINATION
------------------
¶8. (SBU) One of the goals of the conference, and a recurring
theme, was to improve assistance co-ordination among donors.
The U.S., France, and the EU provide a range of military and
security training in the region. Assistant Secretary Carson
discussed the background and goals of the U.S. interagency
Trans-Saharan Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP). He
noted that TSCTP was a broad-based holistic approach to
supporting regional CT efforts that includes military and law
enforcement capacity-building, public diplomacy/strategic
communications, and support for local and national good
governance. USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Earl Gast
observed that development indicators in the Sahel are among
the worst in the world and USAID involvement in USG
counter-extremism programming reflects that the regional
vulnerability to terrorism is increased by the lack of
employment opportunities for youth and poor or nonexistent
governance and service delivery in large swaths of territory.
¶9. (SBU) France is focused on responding to Mali's request
to assist its efforts to establish four forward operating
bases in its northern frontier. It is also exploring how to
support efforts to improve Malian administration and local
governance in the north and improve customs and border
security. Gompertz stated that France has security dialogues
with Niger and Mali and would soon initiate discussions with
Mauritania. The French also highlighted the urgency of
assisting countries with judicial reform, training of
prosecutors and magistrates, and criminal procedures.
¶10. (SBU) The EU completed an assessment of Mali in July and
will visit Mauritania in October, but has postponed plans to
visit Niger due to the current political situation. Future
assistance may include border surveillance and customs
services, and Sweden's Ambassador for Counter Terrorism Carin
Wall highlighted the EU's desire to collaborate more closely
with other actors, "not least the U.S."
¶11. (SBU) All three donors have or are considering programs
in judicial processes and law-enforcement. A/S Johnson
explained that the U.S. will likely establish a Regional
Security Training Center in West Africa, and the EU noted
that it is considering something similar: a Sahel-based
"multi-functional" regional training center focusing on
military, law enforcement, and border control and customs
capacity building. The EU and French representatives
highlighted the importance of building academies and
"clearinghouses" to provide training to a range of security
organs.
¶12. (SBU) The participants agreed to collect and share
detailed information about the specific programs and projects
each is pursuing or considering in the region as the first
step for further consultations and coordination. Towards the
end of the event, A/S Carson encouraged the participants to
find the time and means to expand this type of dialog into
other areas in need of greater mutual understanding and
coordination in Africa, including the way forward in Somalia,
Sudan, and the Great Lakes, and also for transboundary issues
such as demographic pressures, democracy, and development
priorities. A/S Johnson added judicial reform, including
best practices in corrections as another timely need.
"LEAD FROM THE SIDE"
--------------------
¶13. (SBU) The three-plus groups agreed that supporting
regional CT efforts in the Sahel was an important immediate
and long-term priority, but there was a clear consensus that
external actors must ensure that they limit visibility of
their activities and avoid actions that would be seen as
undercutting regional leadership over the issue. Elysee
PARIS 00001339 004 OF 005
Advisor Marechaux noted that the French had not crafted a
"Sahel plan" in order to avoid a potential backlash from
Sahelian and Maghreb states suspicious of its intentions in
the region. He noted that increasing the "profile" of the
AQIM problem would likely enhance the group's Jihadist
"credentials" and attract potential recruits from inside and
outside the region. A/S Carson agreed: "We don,t want to
become part of the problem by appearing to take the lead; we
need to lead from the side, not from out front." He noted
that raising the profile of external actors in the region
risked alienating key Sahelian interlocutors and further
risked assisting AQIM recruiting and resourcing efforts.
Ambassador Benjamin agreed that it was vital to ensure that
the counterterrorism effort had a "local face."
COMMENT
-------
¶14. (SBU) This gathering will likely prove the kick-off to
further discussions and closer cooperation. The French and
the EU reps were willing to share their analysis of the
situation, but were clearly also ready to defer to the U.S.'s
assessment. More than one French participant who later
joined a POL-hosted reception noted how impressed they were
with the high level of participation by the U.S. and by A/S
Carson's positive role as co-Chair of the event.
PARTICIPANTS
------------
¶15. (U) U.S.
- Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African
Affairs
- Michelle Gavin, National Security Council Special
Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African
Affairs
- Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism
- David Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
- Vicki Huddleston, Department of Defense, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for African Affairs
- Janet Sanderson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Near Eastern Affairs
- Earl Gast, U.S. Agency for International Development
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator.
- Christopher Maier, Director for Counterterrorism National
Security Council
- Bernadette Graves, Bureau of Intelligence and Research
- Daniel Epstein, Bureau of African Affairs
- Victor Nelson, Regional Officer, Office of the
Coordinator for Counterterrorism
- Erin Barclay, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs
- Embassy Paris Africa Watcher.
FRANCE
Presidency of the Republic
- Remi Marechaux, Advisor on Sub-Saharan Africa
Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
- Jacques Audibert, Political Director
- Stephane Gompertz, Director of Africa and Indian Ocean
- Patrice Paoli, Director of North Africa and Middle East
- General Emmanuel Beth, Director of security and defense
cooperation
- Charlotte Montel, Advisor of the Minister for African
Affairs, Cabinet
- Laurent Bigot, Head of West Africa Section, Africa and
Indian Ocean Department
- Jocelyne Caballero, Head of Multilateral Affairs Section,
Security and Defense Cooperation Department
- Martin Julliard, Head of Transnational Threats Section,
Strategic and Security Affairs Department
- Alice Guitton, Head of the Democratic Governance Bureau,
Global Economy and Development Strategies Department,
Globalization, Development and Partnerships Directorate
National Defence Secretary General
- General Andre Lanata, Head of International Affairs
Section, International Affairs, Strategic and Technologic
Affairs Department
PARIS 00001339 005 OF 005
Ministry of Defence
- Colonel Benoit Houssay, Military Advisor of the Minister
- Colonel Jean-Jacques Toutous, Head of Africa Bureau,
Joint Head-Quarters
- Colonel Emmanuel Maurin, Head of Regional Affairs
Section, Strategic Affairs Delegation
- Pascal Teixeira, Director of Strategic Affairs
- Guy Thomas, Strategic Affairs Direction
Ministry of the Interior
- Michel Duclos, Diplomatic Advisor
- Emile Perez, Head of the Police International and Technical
Cooperation Bureau.
EUROPEAN UNION
Presidency of the European Union
- Carin Wall, Ambassador for Counter Terrorism, Swedish
Foreign Affairs
- Daniel Wolven, Swedish Embassy in Paris
European Commission
- Manuel Lopez-Blanco, Director for West and Central
Africa, Directorate general for Development
European Union Council
- Gilles de Kerchove, Coordinator for Counter Terrorism
Member States
- Adam Wood, Director for Africa, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, United Kingdom
- Corin Robertson, Joint Head, Counter Terrorism
Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom
- Hugo Shorter, Counsellor Global Issues, British Embassy in
Paris
- Nina Hermann, First Secretary, German Embassy in Paris.
¶16. (U) This cable was cleared by U.S. conference
participants.
RIVKIN