VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #0299 0561658
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251658Z FEB 08
FM USEU BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO PRIORITY
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI PRIORITY
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY
RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY

UNCLAS USEU BRUSSELS 000299 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR AF/E NGAREY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV SO EUN
SUBJECT: EU SUPPORTS RESTRUCTURING ICG ON SOMALIA 
 
REF: STATE 16168 
 
¶1. (SBU) The European Union is largely in favor of the U.S. 
proposal to strengthen the effectiveness of the International 
Contact Group on Somalia, with the caveat that it would like 
to convene plenary sessions approximately four times a year. 
Poloff delivered reftel points to Jean-Christophe Belliard 
and Ragnheidur Roubineau of the Council Secretariat's Africa 
Unit and Michele Cervone, European Commission Desk Officer 
for Somalia, all of whom expressed general agreement with the 
proposal.  Belliard and Cervone said they are encouraged by 
the outlook and actions of the new Somali PM and believe it 
is a good time to pressure the TFG to implement reforms 
outlined last August at the National Reconciliation Congress. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Belliard said he opposes expanded ICG membership and 
would like to limit membership to the EU, U.S., UN, AU, Arab 
League, Tanzania and the current European members (Norway, 
Sweden, UK, Italy). Sweden has circulated a draft proposal of 
its own to fellow EU members UK and Italy for restructuring 
the ICG, but EU officials said it is very similar to the U.S. 
proposal except that it calls for plenary meetings four times 
per year.  Belliard, Roubineau, and Cervone fully supported 
the concept of cluster groups based in Nairobi.  They also 
support having the UN chair the ICG. 
WOHLERS 
.