VZCZCXRO4496
OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNR #0986 1341451
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141451Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9539
INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000986 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S CARSON 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KPAO SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA - PRESS STATEMENT ON MOGADISHU VIOLENCE 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  (SBU) In response to the fighting in Mogadishu in recent days 
and reports of foreign fighters involved in the attacks, post 
released the press statement below to Somali media outlets on May 
¶14.  End Summary. 
 
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Press Statement 
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¶2. (U) The text of the press statement follows: 
 
Begin text. 
 
U.S. Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya 
 
Press Release 
May 14, 2009 
 
U.S. Denounces Violence, Supports TFG 
 
The Government of the United States condemns the recent attacks on 
the Transitional Federal Government in Mogadishu that have forced 
thousands of Somalis from their homes.  The extremists who are 
instigating these attacks have no regard for the well-being of 
Somalis, and are undermining the peaceful efforts of the legitimate 
government to further national reconciliation. 
 
The United States is particularly disturbed at reports that foreign 
fighters and those who rejected dialogue in 2006 are participating 
in this effort to forcibly remove a legitimate Somali government 
from power.  The United States, in concert with the international 
community, strongly supports President Sharif and the TFG, and 
commends the important progress the TFG has made in the past several 
months. 
 
End text. 
 
RANNEBERGER