VZCZCXRO3380
OO RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0129/01 0561648
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O R 251648Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0051
INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0009
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUZEFAA/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 NIAMEY 000129 
 
SIPDIS 
NOFORN 
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE PASS TO AMEMBASSY MALABO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/25 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI US NG PTER PINR EAID EAGR MASS
SUBJECT: Charge Meets with Junta; 
 
REF: 10 STATE 16833; 10 ROME 0025; USDAO NIAMEY IIR 6 928 0048 10 
USDAO NIAMEY IIR 6 928 0042 10 
 
CLASSIFIED BY: Eric Whitaker, CDA, State, Embassy Niamey; REASON: 
1.4(B), (D) 
 
¶1. (C/NF) Summary:  On February 25, Brigadier General Souleyman 
Salou and Colonel Moussa Gros, Senior Military Advisor to the CSRD 
President, met with ChargC) d'Affaires Whitaker in a frank and 
productive session that broached a wide variety of topics.  General 
Salou opened by stating his pride at receiving the U.S. delegation; 
highlighting the friendship between the two countries, he expressed 
his desire that relations be deepened in the future.  He 
acknowledged that the U.S. Government did not condone forcible 
changes of government, but noted Niger had reached a point of no 
return and that the military felt it compelled to act decisively. 
General Salou said the transition period would involve political 
decisions made by an inclusive Consultative Council, appealed for 
U.S. assistance regarding coming food insecurity, requested the 
renewal of bilateral military-to-military cooperation and security 
assistance, stated that all political parties would be held 
"equidistant," and emphasized that government structures continued 
to operate from the secretary general level on down.  End summary. 
 
 
 
Brigadier General Salou, Colonel Gros Receive Embassy Team 
 
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-------- 
 
¶2.  (C/NF) On February 25, during a 40-minute warm and cordial 
meeting conducted in French at the Air Force Headquarters in 
Niamey, Brigadier General Souleymane Salou, Supreme Council for the 
Restoration of Democracy (CSRD) member and uncle of CSRD President 
Salou Djibo, and Colonel Moussa Gros, Senior Military Advisor to 
the CSRD President, received ChargC) d'Affaires Whitaker, who was 
accompanied by the Defense AttachC), Pol Officer, and Pol 
Specialist. 
 
 
 
CSRD Shares Security Concerns 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (C/NF) General Salou stated that the CSRD shared U.S. concerns 
about the events of February 18.  He indicated that the CSRD would 
continue bilateral information liaison via the Directorate General 
for Documentation and External Security (DGDSE).  He stressed that 
if the USG "shared the same concerns" as the CSRD, cooperation 
would be most welcome in the areas of food aid, security 
assistance, the fight against al-Qaida, and support for the regime. 
General Salou outlined the CSRD's objectives, which are: 
stabilizing the country's political situation; promoting 
reconciliation among Nigeriens; and restoring democracy.  He stated 
that the CSRD President had asked him to request U.S. support to 
achieve these objectives, with a high priority to addressing the 
food security situation and the restoration of democracy. "We 
officially request your support," he told the ChargC).  Regarding 
the coordination of future meetings, General Salou said that future 
contact with the CSRD would not be necessary, as the civilian 
government should soon begin functioning as before. 
 
 
 
ChargC) Delivers Points, Notes Primacy of ECOWAS Mediator 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---------------------- 
------- 
 
¶4. (C/NF) The ChargC) thanked the interlocutors for the meeting and 
stated that the Embassy looks forward to the prompt restoration of 
democracy in Niger.  The ChargC) then presented ref A talking points 
on condemning the use of military means to seize power, the 
importance of the quick establishment of an inclusive transitional 
government, the strengthening of democratic institutions to ensure 
future transitions are peaceful and democratic, the establishment 
of a timetable for elections, and the non-candidacy of CSRD members 
in future elections.  The ChargC) stressed the importance of ECOWAS 
as playing a key role in supporting the democratic transition 
through Mediator for Niger Abdulsalami Aboubakar.  He highlighted 
 
NIAMEY 00000129  002 OF 003 
 
 
the long-standing, amicable relations between the people of the 
United States and Niger.  He also inquired as to the evolving 
configuration of the CSRD, and expressed hopes that the 
Consultative Council now under formation would be as inclusive and 
participative as possible.  General Salou accepted the ChargC)'s 
talking points, and responded that the a specific list of CSRD 
members had not been set, stating that the CSRD did not function 
based on "membership," which might marginalize certain groups, but 
rather as a collegial formation in the name of the entire Nigerien 
Armed Forces.  "We want to avoid anything that would divide the 
Nigerien people," he noted. 
 
 
 
CSRD Understands Vigilance, Expectations of International Community 
 
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------------------- 
 
¶5. (C/NF) In response, Colonel Gros said that the CSRD was pleased 
with the frank and substantive discussion.  He stated, "We are 
aware that coups are no longer 'fashionable' (smiling), and that 
Armed Forces did not have the right to interfere in political 
disputes. We also know that the United States is monitoring the 
situation in Niger, and that you know all that happened in this 
country over the past year.  ECOWAS and other international bodies 
did their best, but to no avail.  You know the Nigerien people's 
concerns regarding this situation, and that the Armed Forces 
remained 'quiet.' Unfortunately, the ECOWAS mediation failed, and 
the opposition called its supporters to 'come out in force.'  If 
they had not acted as they did, the situation would have 
degenerated into a confrontation like that in Guinea, and the Armed 
Forces would have been divided.  Consequently, we decided to put an 
end to this and 're-set all counters to zero.'  Niger had been 
peaceful and democratic for nearly ten years, but its leader tried 
to impose a tailor-made constitution, and the Armed Forces were 
aware that such was an illegal move.  We were lucky to have avoided 
bloodshed. We note that the population continues its spontaneous 
support (for the CSRD's action)." 
 
 
 
CSRD Will Not Stay in Power, Nor Run for Office 
 
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¶6. (C/NF) Colonel Gros went on to state that the Armed Forces would 
not stay in power, and would not take sides with any political 
party.  He assured that the CSRD would establish a Consultative 
Council comprising representatives from Niger's socio-professional 
and political strata.  The Consultative Council will think about 
charting the nation's political future, and propose a timeframe for 
the transition to organize free and fair elections to ensure 
sustainable democratic governance in Niger.  Colonel Gros stated 
that the CSRD shared the USG's concerns, and confirmed that no 
member of the CSRD would be a candidate in future elections. 
 
 
 
¶7. (C/NF)  When pressed by the ChargC) on specifics regarding 
day-to-day operations of the government, General Salou emphasized 
that government structures continued to operate from the secretary 
general level on down.  He noted that the CSRD would not likely 
have ongoing coordination with governmental ministries, 
anticipating that they would continue their functions as normal. 
 
 
 
No Timeframe for Transition; Political Parties Held "Equidistant" 
 
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---------- 
 
¶8. (C/NF) General Salou pointed out that the CSRD did not want to 
propose a timeframe for the transition, because it did not want 
Nigeriens and other partners to interpret this as a "dictatorial 
imposition."  He also stressed that the Armed Forces had no 
intention of remaining in power.  He asked the ChargC) to reassure 
the USG that the CSRD would respect democratic practices and added 
that, "We respect the principles that govern your government."  He 
noted that the Armed Forces remained "equidistant" with respect to 
 
NIAMEY 00000129  003 OF 003 
 
 
Niger's political parties, and pointed out that the CSRD had 
appointed a consensus prime minister and would ensure the formation 
of a cabinet based on competence and integrity, and not on party 
affiliation, to allow the organization of free and fair elections, 
for which he said the CSRD would seek USG assistance. 
 
 
 
General Salou Addresses Food Security Situation 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
¶9. (C/NF) Colonel Gros stated that "food insecurity knocks at our 
door."  He said that the CSRD recognizes this fact, unlike the 
former government.  Colonel Gros requested the assistance of the 
USG in addressing the food security situation, and added that "we 
need to eat before thinking about elections."  He also said that 
the USG's concerns about the food security situation were 
"logical," and that the CSRD requests USG support to address it. 
When told that the World Food Program (WFP) Executive Session in 
Rome (ref B) had noted the food shortage in Niger and that the 
Government of Niger had not issued an appeal in this regard. 
Colonel Gros said that the former government was reluctant to 
inform international bodies of the realities of the coming food 
crisis, and said that the CSRD would draft a letter to request 
international support to address the situation.  Colonel Gros 
mentioned that the new CSRD President's Director of Cabinet was 
dual-hatted, coordinating all issues relating to food security in 
addition to his staff role.  He reminded that, "We are keenly aware 
that if there is no food, elections may be compromised.  Therefore, 
we make food our first priority." 
 
 
 
Comment: 
 
----------- 
 
¶10. (C/NF) General Salou made several revealing remarks in a 
discussion that was earnest and productive.  He stated that the 
Nigerien Armed Forces remained vigilant regarding the internal and 
international security situation, including referencing al-Qaida 
specifically.  He recognized that U.S.-Niger relations had suffered 
during the past year and expressed the CSRD's hopes of restoring 
democracy in the near term, leading to a renewal of bilateral 
cooperation. Expressing hopes that the United States would 
understand the circumstances that led to the forcible seizure of 
power, he clearly sought to explain the CSRD's democratic 
intentions. End comment. 
 
 
 
Biodata on BG Salou and Colonel Gros 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶11. (C/NF) BG Salou has been the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Air 
Force since at least 2003.  He is a graduate of the US Air Force's 
Command and Staff College and is assessed by the DATT as extremely 
pro-U.S.  For additional details, please see ref C.  Col Gros, 
prior to assuming his role as the advisor to the President of the 
CSRD, was the military advisor to the Nigerien Prime Minister. 
Also assessed to be pro-U.S., at least one of his children was 
educated in the United States and he reports to have served as the 
Defense AttachC) to the U.S. for a short period in 1987. 
 
 
 
¶12. (S/NF) The information provided by BG Salou and Col Gros 
largely corresponds with that provided by Cols Hassan Mossi and 
Abdoul Karim Goukoye in conversations that took place with the DATT 
on 21 February 2010 and reported in ref D. 
WHITAKER