VZCZCXRO2865
OO RUEHMR RUEHPA
DE RUEHJL #0274 1231717
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 031717Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6628
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0271

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000274 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV GA AU
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: PROMINENT JOURNALIST ON AU SUMMIT 
PROSPECTS 
 
REF: A. BANJUL 169 
 
     ¶B. BANJUL 273 AND PREVIOUS (NOTAL) 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D) 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
 
¶1. (C) While the GOTG has portrayed preparations for the July 
1-2 AU summit as on course,  AU Political Affairs 
Commissioner Joiner reportedly used her April 18 visit here 
to register concern to President Yahya Jammeh over GOTG's 
abuses in connection with the aborted coup plot March 21.  A 
prominent journalistic source said that the odds still favor 
the GOTG's hosting the summit,  but that a last-minute shift 
in venue could not be ruled out. END SUMMARY. 
 
GOTG'S SUMMIT PREPARATIONS 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Ref a reported GOTG's preparations, as of mid-March, 
for upcoming "midterm" AU summit scheduled to be held here. 
In the interim, the GOTG, while wrestling with the aftermath 
of a coup attempt thwarted March 21 (ref b), has portrayed 
ongoing preparations as on course, with President Jammeh 
defiantly asserting that the event will be held as scheduled 
here.   The GOTG  recently announced summit dates of July 
1-2, preceded by ministerial and other meetings June 25-29. 
 
¶3. (U) AU Political Affairs Commissioner Julia Joiner visited 
Banjul April 18 and, following a meeting with President 
Jammeh, told the press that summit arrangements were in a 
satisfactory state -- while noting that the new conference 
center being built for event had yet to be completed. (NOTE: 
Emboffs have recently noted, driving past the site, that 
indeed some work remains to be done to complete the 
structure. END NOTE)  In her press remarks, Joiner indicated 
that she had discussed "certain issues" with Jammeh that she 
was not at liberty to disclose. 
 
JOURNALIST'S ASSESSMENT 
----------------------- 
 
¶4. (C)  In May 3 conversation with Ambassador, Pap Saine, the 
Editor-in-Chief of the daily, "The Point," asserted that 
Joiner's "certain issues" had involved authorities' reported 
abuses of detainees held in connection with the failed plot. 
According to Saine, citing local AU sources, Joiner had 
conveyed to Jammeh the concern at AU  headquarters over the 
reported abuses and urged his intervention to halt them, 
pointing out that they hardly provided a suitable background 
for the summit. 
 
¶5. (C) Editor-in-Chief Saine went on to assert that various 
foreign, human rights-oriented NGO's had launched a campaign 
with the AU's leadership to have the summit site shifted to 
another member state because of the GOTG's human rights 
abuses.  He  thought that the odds were still in favor of the 
summit being held here, but would not rule out a possible 
change of venue at the last minute. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
¶6. (C) As previously reported (ref a),we believe Jammeh 
remains determined -- even more so,following the foiled coup 
plot -- to host the summit, given his keenness for 
recognition as an African leader of stature.  He would likely 
resist to the bitter end any effort to move the event to 
another venue.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
STAFFORD