VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #5621 2902337
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 172328Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 2663
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 5209
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 9181
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 8894
RUEATRS/TREASURY DEPT WASHINGTON DC 8948

UNCLAS STATE 145621 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KTFN PREL PTER UNSC XA ER
SUBJECT: NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UNSCR 1267 OBLIGATIONS: 
HASSAN DAHIR AWEYS AND ERITREA 
 
¶1.  This is an action request.  Please see paragraphs 3 and 
¶4. 
 
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SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES 
---------------------- 
¶2. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was listed in November 2001 
pursuant to UNSCR 1267 (Al-Qa'ida/Taliban sanctions) and 
subsequent resolutions.  The 1267 sanctions regime obliges 
Member States to impose a travel ban, arms embargo and asset 
freeze against all listed individuals/entities.  Western 
media recently reported that Aweys was present at the Somali 
opposition conference in Asmara that began on September 6, 
¶2007.  The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) did not 
apply for an exemption to the travel ban via the 1267 
Committee to allow for Aweys,s travel.  It therefore appears 
that the GSE is in non-compliance with its 1267 obligations. 
We would like to request that the UK and France join us in a 
joint demarche in Asmara to express our displeasure with the 
GSE,s apparent violation of 1267 sanctions. 
 
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTION REQUEST 
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¶3. FOR EMBASSIES PARIS AND LONDON: Department requests that 
Embassies Paris and London ask French and UK embassy 
officials to join us in Asmara to demarche the GSE on its 
apparent non-compliance with its 1267 obligations to enforce 
a travel ban on Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys.  The purpose of the 
demarche will be to request an immediate explanation for this 
apparent transgression and to notify the GSE that, absent a 
satisfactory explanation, we intend to raise this issue for 
discussion in the 1267 Committee.  We will underscore to the 
GSE that the travel ban ) which obligates member states to 
prohibit entry and/or transit through their territory of 
sanctioned individuals ) is an important facet of 
al-Qaida/Taliban sanctions.  We intend to advise the GSE that 
it should inform the 1267 Sanctions Committee and/or the 
relevant state(s) of transit or entry as it learns of plans 
by Aweys for any further travel, with the exception of travel 
directly to Somalia (Aweys,s country of 
residency/citizenship). 
 
¶4.  FOR USUN: Department requests USUN coordinate with IO/PSC 
on timing to notify the Eritrean Permrep, simultaneous to the 
anticipated delivery of a P-3 demarche in Asmara, that we 
will be delivering a demarche in Asmara asking for an 
explanation for Aweys,s travel to Eritrea.  We will inform 
the Eritrean Permrep that, absent a satisfactory explanation 
for Aweys's travel to Eritrea, we intend to raise the issue 
in the 1267 Committee. 
 
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REPORTING DEADLINE 
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¶5. Embassies Paris and London should report the results of 
efforts no later than COB Friday, October 19. 
 
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BACKGROUND 
---------- 
¶6. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was added to the UN 1267 
Consolidated List on November 9, 2001, based upon his 
connection to Al-Qa,ida-linked Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya 
(AIAI). 
 
¶7. Despite the travel ban imposed under UNSC Resolution 1267 
and modified in subsequent resolutions, Aweys has continued 
to travel abroad.  The most recent report from the 1267 
Monitoring Team found that Sheikh Aweys has been allowed to 
travel, in apparent violation of the travel ban, on several 
occasions, including unauthorized visits to Saudi Arabia, 
Libya, and Eritrea.  Most recently, Western media indicated 
that Aweys attended the Somali opposition conference held in 
Asmara beginning on September 6, 2007. 
 
¶8. Eritrea did not petition the 1267 Committee for an 
exemption to permit Aweys to travel into Eritrea.  By 
allowing Aweys entry, it appears Eritrea acted in clear 
violation of UNSCR 1267 and subsequent resolutions. 
 
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POINT OF CONTACT 
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¶9. Inquiries may be directed to IO/PSC (Erin Crowe, 
202-736-7847). 
RICE