Cablegate: Response: Pres. Kikwete Tells Rep. Payne That

VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #3692 3362101
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 022057Z DEC 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 7201
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 8848
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 1084
RUEHAE/AMEMBASSY ASMARA PRIORITY 0761
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 3322
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 1387
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 6714
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 7793
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY 4076

UNCLAS STATE 123692

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ER SO TU TZ OREP PBTS PINR PINS PREF PREL PTER
SUBJECT: RESPONSE: PRES. KIKWETE TELLS REP. PAYNE THAT
TANZANIA & TURKEY WILL CO-HOST SOMALI TALKS

REF: DAR ES SAL 796

1. We have received information (reftel) that the Government
of Tanzania (GOT) has expressed interest in partnering with
Turkey to bring the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and
Somali opposition factions together for talks. In response
to this idea, we request post draw from the following talking
points in discussions with the GOT.

2. BEGIN POINTS:

--We understand the GOT has expressed interest in partnering
with Turkey to bring the TFG and Somali opposition factions
together for talks. We appreciate the underlying sentiment
behind this idea to isolate Al-Shabaab by broadening the
political base of the TFG. We believe the TFG needs to
broaden its political base to include other moderates, and we
are urging the TFG to do so by reaching out to regional
administrations, clan, traditional, and civil society leaders
and groups such as Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jamma.

--However, we do not think revisiting the Djibouti Peace
Process (DPP) would be an effective means of broadening the
TFG,s political base. On the contrary, holding a new peace
conference or round of reconciliation talks outside of the
established DPP could negatively affect, and possibly derail,
the progress that has been made to date.

--We are specifically concerned about the suggestion that
Eritrea would be invited to the table. There have been
similar proposals from Qatar and Egypt. To date, Eritrea has
played a very unhelpful role in Somalia, providing arms,
funds, and other support to Al-Shabaab and other violent
extremists who use the force of arms to oppose the TFG and
the DPP. Given this harmful role, we support the
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the
African Union, and the regional states (including Kenya,
Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda) in their efforts to address
Eritrea,s public rhetoric and covert behavior, and to align
Eritrea with the wider international community's support for
the TFG and DPP.

--We are interested in promoting broad reconciliation, peace,
and stability in Somalia. At this time, we believe that
international efforts should be focused on supporting the DPP
and the TFG and in encouraging all parties that wish for
peace to join the peace process. We welcome constructive
efforts to achieve that end and would welcome efforts by
Tanzania to support the frontline states and undercut support
for violent opponents of the DPP.

--We appreciate Tanzania,s efforts to support the TFG,
including Tanzania,s earlier offer to train Somali troops as
part of a regional effort.

--We look forward to continued dialogue with the GOT
regarding Somalia. END POINTS.
CLINTON

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