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DE RUCNDT #0709/01 2021611
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211611Z JUL 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6959
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000709 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR MOPS PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KPKO SO UNSC
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: MONITORING GROUP PROPOSES 11 TARGETS FOR 
SANCTIONS DESIGNATION 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Somalia Sanctions Committee ("751 
Committee") has received a list (see para 4) of eleven 
possible targets for the first round of targeted sanctions 
under resolution 1844.  This list, which includes three 
Eritreans, was prepared by the UN Somalia sanctions 
Monitoring Group (MG).  The MG will present these names to 
the Committee in an oral briefing on July 21.  The Committee 
will not take any formal action until a UN Member State 
proposes that names be designated.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (SBU) The Somalia Sanctions Committee ("751 Committee") 
has received a list of eleven possible targets (see para 4) 
for the first round of targeted sanctions under resolution 
¶1844.  (NOTE: The Security Council in November 2008 imposed a 
new targeted sanctions regime -- asset freeze, travel ban, 
ban on arms transfers -- on Somalia.  The Somalia Sanctions 
Committee has not yet designated any individuals or entities 
under 1844.  END NOTE.)  The Somalia sanctions Monitoring 
Group (MG), the UN team mandated to monitor and report on 
compliance with the Somalia arms embargo and resolution 1844, 
identified these targets as having met one or more of the 
resolution 1844's designating criteria: 1) undermine 
stability in Somalia, 2) impeding humanitarian assistance 
and/or 3) having violated the arms embargo.  The MG-prepared 
list includes two armed groups and nine individuals.   Three 
of the individuals are Eritrean; an additional two 
individuals have already been designated under the Al-Qaida 
and Taliban Sanctions Committee ("1267 Committee") for their 
association with al-Qaeda. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The MG will brief the Committee about these names at 
a meeting on July 21.  The Committee will not make a decision 
on new designations until a UN Member State formally proposes 
that these, or any other names, be designated.  This listing 
request must be accompanied by a detailed statement of case 
in support of the proposed listing that forms the basis or 
justification of the listing.  All members of the Committee 
must agree unanimously to the listing. 
 
¶4. (SBU) MG PROSPOALS FOR DESIGNATION UNDER THE SOMALIA 
TARGETED SANCTIONS REGIME: 
 
GROUPS 
------ 
 
---Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujaahidiin: "Al-Shabaab" is linked 
to numerous acts threatening peace in Somalia, including 
attacks on the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and 
African Union (AMISOM) forces; the murders of several aid 
workers; and recruitment of foreign fighters and trainers. 
 
---Hisb'ul Islam: Hisb'ul Islam is an armed group that has 
conducted numerous offensive operations against the TFG and 
AMISOM forces. 
 
INDIVIDUALS 
----------- 
 
---Ahbshir Abdillahi "Boyah" (Somali): Boyah has publicly 
admitted to being a key organizer, recruiter, and financer of 
a maritime militia operating a network of pirates responsible 
for 25-60 hijackings since the mid-1990s. 
 
---Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamud "Godane" (Somali): Godane is a 
senior leader of al-Shabaab and exercises command 
responsibility for al-Shabaab operations across Somalia. 
 
--- Hassan Abdillahi Hersi "al-Turki" (Somali): Al-Turki is a 
senior leader of Hisb'ul Islam engaged in numerous arms 
embargo violations and assisting with military training of 
other armed groups, including al-Shabaab (NOTE: al-Turki is 
designated under the 1267 regime). 
 
--- Hassan Dahir Aweys: Aweys is the Chairman of Hisb'ul 
Islam (NOTE: Aweys is designated under the 1267 regime). 
 
--- Mohamed Abdi Garaad (Somali): Garaad is a leader, 
commander, and financer of pirate activities and is 
responsible for multiple hijackings. 
 
--- Yasin Ali Baynah (Somali): Baynah is a founding member 
and active supporter of Hisb'ul Islam mobilizing support and 
finances for the group and inciting attacks against the TFG 
and AMISOM. 
 
--- Yemane Gebreab (Eritrean):  Gebreab, Head of Political 
Affairs for the People's Front for Democracy and Justice in 
Eritrea, bears chief responsibility for the Government of 
Eritrea's (GOE) policy towards, and transgressions in, 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000709  002 OF 002 
 
 
Somalia.  The GOE formally rejects the Djioubti Agreement, 
denies legitimacy of the TFG, and opposes the presence of 
AMISOM.  In support of this policy, the GOE has provided 
"significant and sustained" political, financial and material 
support including arms ammunition and training to armed 
opposition groups in Somalia. 
 
--- Te'ame Abraha Selassie (Eritrean): Selassie, a ranking 
Eritrean military intelligence officer, is responsible for 
providing operational guidance to Somali armed opposition 
groups and is involved in planning and deliveries of arms and 
finance to these groups.  By virtue of his position and 
actions, Te'ame bears a central responsibility for the 
implementation of Eritrean policy towards Somalia. 
 
--- Ali Abdu Ahmed (Eritrean): Ahmed, Eritrean Minister of 
Information, is the chief spokesperson for the GOE on Somalia 
policy.  As such, he has made public statements 
de-legitimizing the TFG and inciting violent opposition 
against the TFG and AMISOM. 
 
RICE