VZCZCXRO8083
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHDS #0239/01 0291336
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291336Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3559
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3300
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1853
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0417
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEPADJ/CJTF HOA
RUEWMFD/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000239 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JWYSHAM AND S/CT 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV PINR ET
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON 
DEVELOPMENT (IGAD) CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM AGAINST 
TERRORISM (ICPAT) 
 
IGAD Preps Two Conventions 
--------------------------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) Program Head (Ambassador) Hiruy Amanuel briefed 
PolOff on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development's 
(IGAD) Capacity Building Program Against Terrorism (ICPAT), 
which is wholly funded by foreign assistance (Denmark, 
Netherlands, Canada, Sweden, Spain, Norway and Italy 
participate).  Hiruy said that ICPAT has had some success in 
drafting (with United Nations and foreign technical 
assistance) two IGAD conventions on mutual legal assistance 
and extradition.  Hiruy said that every IGAD member state has 
approved the conventions at the expert level and has passed 
the draft to their justice ministries for signature.  ICPAT 
hopes that the conventions will be signed by all IGAD justice 
ministers in April, with ratification complete by mid-2010. 
ICPAT also revised counterterrorism laws for Sudan and Uganda 
and has made recommendations on draft counterterrorism laws 
circulating in Ethiopia and Kenya, Hiruy said. 
 
Somali TFG Police Missing In Action 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Hiruy noted that ICPAT has provided one-month 
counterterrorism training courses to batches of 25 police 
from Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.  The United 
Nations, Interpol and Scotland Yard, among others, provide 
resources and instructors.  ICPAT also assisted with 
Ethiopian training for 1,000 Somali police officers to 
support the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). 
Asked for an update on the 25 TFG police who received ICPAT's 
one-month counterterrorism course, Hiruy said the group had 
deployed to Somalia and officers assisted with security at 
the Mogadishu airport and in police headquarters as well. 
Hiruy added that he had no way to track their status with 
Somalia in turmoil, and noted that one "Colonel Omar," who 
"organized" Ethiopian training of 1,000 TFG police had been 
killed in a landmine blast upon returning to Somalia. 
 
Border Security Addressed 
------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) ICPAT has enjoyed some success assisting IGAD member 
states with border security matters, Hiruy said, adding that 
ICPAT coordinated with, and brought together, border security 
stakeholders from all the IGAD member states and helped the 
states develop action plans for enhanced border security 
cooperation.  Acknowledging that implementation has yet to 
occur, Hiruy emphasized that ICPAT helped "jump-start a 
dormant process."  Hiruy also sees a role for ICPAT, which is 
mid-way through a four-year funding cycle, in implementing 
IGAD's draft peace and security strategy. 
 
Anti-Money Laundering Legislation on Track? 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Speaking to U.S. bilateral concerns with Ethiopia, 
Hiruy noted that Ethiopia will adopt anti-money laundering 
(AML) and counterterrorism finance (CTF) legislation soon. 
Hiruy said that the National Bank of Ethiopia had 
commissioned, and ICPAT had financed, the current draft, 
which he said may be circulated within the Ethiopian 
government within the next two weeks. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) In 2008, the United States explored through S/CT 
potential support for some of ICPAT's programs going-forward. 
 Ambassador Hiruy will travel to the United States in 
mid-February and we have recommended that he meet with 
relevant State and Defense Department offices to pitch his 
case.  ICPAT is a competent organization with an over-broad 
mandate that may be able to continue to play some role in 
regional counterterrorism coordination, with continued 
international assistance.  End Comment. 
 
ADDIS ABAB 00000239  002 OF 002 
 
 
YAMAMOTO