USA/Africa: Wikileaks Highlights, 1

AfricaFocus Bulletin

Dec 14, 2010 (101214)

(Reposted from sources cited below)

Editor's Note

For Africa, as for elsewhere in the world, the cables released by

Wikileaks - so far less than 1% of the full set - provide valuable

nuance, some embarrassment, and confirmation of many suspicions by

exposing a wide variety of reports by diplomats. The attempt to

silence Wikileaks should be rejected. It is all  the more

important, however, that the cables should be used with the same

caution that competent journalists or historians should apply to

any other source.

Those interested in particular topics should take the time to read

the cables themselves, since they are available, rather than simply

relying on the proliferation of paraphrased accounts. These are

currently available at the main Wikileaks site at

http://213.251.145.96/cablegate.html

The site can be browsed through links on the left, by date or the origin of the cable.

If this site should be blocked, it should be possible to find

alternate sources among the almost 2,000 Wikileaks mirror sites,

through a Google search.

               ___________________

AfricaFocus will be taking a year-end break after this issue.

Publication will resume in the second week of January. Best

wishes for the holidays and the New Year to AfricaFocus readers.

               ____________________

This AfricaFocus Bulletin, and another released today and

available on the web (at

http://www.africafocus.org/docs10/wl1012b.php) but not sent out

by e-mail, contain four sample cables. This Bulletin contains a

cable citing comments on Nigeria by Ann Pickard of Shell, and an

account of a U.S. diplomat's interview with Ethiopia's

intelligence chief Getachew Assefa. The other Bulletin contains

cables relating to the shipment of tanks through Kenya to

Southern Sudan, and comments by the South African Foreign

Minister on Zimbabwe and other topics.

One glaring example of the misuse of Wikileaks cables,

unfortunately propagated by sites including some normally

reliable sources such as Sudan Tribune and Foreign Policy in

Focus, began with an article in Wired magazine by David Axe on

December 2, headlined "WikiLeaked Cable Confirms U.S.' Secret

Somalia Op." (see http://www.wired.com / direct URL:

http://tinyurl.com/23ltwl7). Although this cable (see

 http://213.251.145.96//cable/2007/01/07ABUDHABI145.html) simply

cited a United Arab Emirates Crown Prince, telling U.S. General

John Abizaid "The Somalia job was fantastic," this was quickly

and widely cited as confirming U.S. direction of Ethiopia's

disastrous invasion of Somalia the month before.

But while few observers would doubt U.S. complicity in

Ethiopia's actions (see, for example,

http://www.africafocus.org/docs07/som0701a.php), this cable could

hardly be considered as significant additional evidence.

Nevertheless, it resulted in misleading headlines such as

"WikiLeaks Reveals U.S. Twisted Ethiopia's Arm to Invade

Somalia." While we may hope that future cables do reveal more

details of the U.S.-Ethiopian collaboration, stretching the

evidence does no service to Wikileaks nor to the critique of U.S.

policy.

++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note++++++++++++++++++++

Frequently Asked Questions: Secret US Embassy Cables

http://213.251.145.96/static/html/faq.html

What are the US embassy cables?

Wikileaks is releasing classified United States diplomatic cables

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of US government activities in each country.

How many are there and what period do they cover?

Wikileaks will publish 251,287 cables, originating from 274

embassies and dating from 28th December 1966 to 28th February

2010. Of this total, 15, 652 of the cables are marked Secret,

101,748 Confidential and 133,887 Unclassified, although even the

'unclassified' documents contain sensitive information.

...

US authorities have said the release may put people at risk. Is

this true?

Wikileaks has a four-year publishing history. During that time we

have released documents pertaining to over 100 countries. There

is no report, including from the US Government, of any of our

releases ever having caused harm to any individual. For this

release we are releasing the documents in a gradual manner,

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...

**************************************************************

Nigeria - Shell

http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/02/09ABUJA259.html

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 000259

NOFORN

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USTR FOR AGAMA

USDOE FOR GEORGE PERSON AND CHAYLOCK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2028

TAGS: EPET ENRG ELAB PINR ECON SENV PGOV NI

SUBJECT: (C) NIGERIA: SHELL BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON OIL GAS ISSUES,

COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT'S HEALTH AND HIGH-LEVEL CORRUPTION

REF: ABUJA 203

Classified By: Ambassador Robin R. Sanders for reasons 1.4. (b

& d).

Â¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Shell's regional executive vice president for

Africa Ann Pickard and government relations representative Peter

Francis met with the Ambassador on January 27 in Abuja and

provided an update on problems in the oil and gas sector. Pickard

said that things were going from bad to worse, especially the

security situation. She said that Nigeria now had one of the

highest negative ratings for maritime operations, creating

problems for Shell in hiring oil tankers to load, as tanker

operators will work only under highly selective conditions. Last

year there were about 80 piracy attacks on land and water

combined. This year already 15 have been tallied, which includes

3 for Shell and 3 for Exxon. On corruption, Pickard said that

Nigerian entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and

there are some "very interesting" people lifting oil. Oil buyers

would pay NNPC GMD Yar'Adua, Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu and

the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes to lift oil. Pickard

also reported an instance of the Attorney General Aondoakaa

allegedly soliciting a $20 million bribe to sign a document. The

International Oil Companies (IOC) are quite concerned about the

"very flawed" new petroleum sector energy bill. The IOCs will be

asking U.S., Dutch, and U.K. COMs to convey points on the bill to

GON policymakers. Pickard agreed that the President's health is a

guessing game. She said that in her recent meetings with Yar'Auda

he seems alert, though very drawn in the face, thin, and frail.

Her information is that the President was not in danger of dying

soon, but also was unlikely to ever fully recover from his

ailments. (Note: see septel on oil/energy sector issues for the

Ambassador's meeting with the new Minister of Petroleum

Resources. End Note). END SUMMARY.

Â¶2. (C) Shell's regional executive vice president for Africa Ann

Pickard and government relations representative Peter Francis met

with the Ambassador on January 27, 2009 in Abuja and provided an

update on problems in the oil and gas sector. Pickard reported

that Shell's meeting with Minister of Petroleum Resources Dr.

Rilwanu Lukman scheduled for earlier that day had been cancelled;

the third week in a row where key appointments had fallen

through, with the excuse of being summoned to the Presidential

Villa. (Note: Emboffs have observed that meetings with ministers

and senior staff are indeed often cancelled with the explanation

that they have been summoned to the Presidential Villa, even when

the President is out of town. End note). Econ Counselor and

Econoff (notetaker) also attended the discussion.

- - - - - - - - -

FROM BAD TO WORSE

- - - - - - - - -

Â¶3. (C) The Ambassador took the opportunity to share with Pickard

that the Mission was in the midst of completing its Strategic

Plan and asked Pickard where she thought Nigeria was headed.

Pickard said that things were going from bad to worse, especially

in terms of security. She said that Nigeria now had the highest

negative rating for maritime security, creating problems for

Shell in hiring oil tankers to load; tankers will work only under

highly selective conditions. She also noted that late on the

evening of Saturday January 17, Nigerian militants attacked and

boarded two vessels at a Shell crude oil loading platform in

Bonny and took eight crew members hostage. Standard procedure on

the tanker was followed: the ship went into immediate lock down;

there were no injuries or fatalities from the boarding. The eight

Nigerian crew members who were taken hostage were later released.

The pirates who went through the sections of the boat to which

they were able to gain access, smashing and stealing computers,

electronics, and personal items of the crew members. The second

vessel was a tug boat towing a supply vessel from Bonny to

Calabar. Last year there were about 80 incidents of piracy; this

year already 15 had been tallied, which includes 3 for Shell and

3 for Exxon. GON officials have told Shell to "hire more

security." The price of doing business in the oil and gas sector

in Nigeria continues to climb she concluded. [Note: The

International Maritime Bureau (IMB), a division of the

International Chamber of Commerce - www icc-ccs org - reports

that the waters off the Gulf of Guinea (Nigeria) remain the

second worst, with 40 incidents in 2008 to the Horn of Africa

(Somalia) with 42 recorded incidents. The IMB notes that in 2009

the Horn of Africa will be more intense as Spring comes due to

the large number of foreign warships in the region on active

patrol to ensure the safety and security of vessels. The same

increased security is not expected for Nigeria in 2009. End Note]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SHELL BELIEVES COUP UNLIKELY; CORRUPTION WORSENING

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ABUJA 00000259 002 OF 003

Â¶4. (S/NF) The Ambassador asked what Shell's thoughts were on any

potential for a coup. Pickard answered that there is little

intellectual capital to plan and execute a coup and Shell sees

little potential for one. Pickard then went on to say that

corruption in the oil sector was worsening by the day. The

Ambassador asked for a few examples. Pickard said that Nigerian

entities control the lifting of many oil cargoes and there are

some "very interesting" people lifting oil (People, she said that

were not even in the industry). As an example she said that oil

buyers would pay Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

General Managing Director Yar'Adua, (Note: not related to

President Yar'Adua. End Note) Chief Economic Advisor Yakubu, and

the First Lady Turai Yar'Adua large bribes, millions of dollars

per tanker, to lift oil. The IOCs control the liquefied petroleum

gas (LPG) cargos, so GON actors do not have the same opportunity

for illicit gain. Pickard also said a former associate of hers

(protect) had told her he had been present when Attorney General

Aondoakaa had told a visitor that he would sign a document only

if the visitor paid $2 million immediately and another $18

million the next day.

- - - - - - -

VERY BAD BILL

- - - - - - -

Â¶5. (C) Pickard reported that Shell, Exxon-Mobil and Chevron all

have big license review disputes with the GON. Shell has taken

its dispute to court and the court is supporting Shell's

position. According to her, Shell is stepping back for the

moment, however, to see how the other two majors negotiation

fair, but is not taking its case out of court yet. The IOCs are

quite concerned about the "very flawed" new petroleum sector

energy bill. The bill is silent on what fiscal regimes would be

applied. Shell says that the bill could reduce the corporation's

overall value in Nigeria. GON discussions around the bill have

mentioned the possibility of moving to five-year licenses and

prohibiting exploring both oil and gas from the same source,

which would contradict how oil and gas extraction works in

practice. The bill is silent on joint ventures; it just states

that NNPC will be incorporated. Pickard said the bill was "likely

to sail through." The IOCs will be asking U.S., Dutch and U.K.

COMs to convey points on the bill to GON policymakers. (Note:

Pickard mentioned that the IOCs will not share company

information directly; they will hire consultants, like McKinsey,

to produce common themes so the messages from the IOCs to be

shared with the relevant Ambassadors are clear and consistent.

End note). Pickard lamented that the expected cycle of petroleum

is at least five years for the first oil to flow, another 10

years of production to begin to break even. These numbers change

when oil is $40 per barrel instead of $100 per barrel. Hence, a

five year license would not be an incentive for investment and

development.

- - - - - -

GAS ISSUES

- - - - - -

Â¶6. (C) The Ambassador said that the Mission was looking at

performance measures for the economy, i.e. the linkage between

the country's electricity output and gross domestic product

(GDP). The Ambassador shared that the Mission feels strongly that

gas for feedstock is the key to Nigeria's power production, which

is only about 2,800 average megawatts for a country of 140

million people. Pickard agreed and added that the U.S. got it

wrong on its domestic natural gas policies, which it took over 20

years to sort out. So it is not surprising that Nigeria has it

wrong at this point. She said there is not adequate

infrastructure for gas. Gathering plants and pipelines to carry

the product to the power plants still have to be financed and

built. The Nigeria Independent Power Projects (NIPP) were located

where there is no gas and no infrastructure. In addition, the

international oil companies were coerced into building a power

plant each, something they have no expertise in, and they are

scrambling to deliver gas to these plants.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

YAR'AUDA VACATION IS PERHAPS SOMETHING ELSE

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Â¶7. (S/NF) Pickard agreed that the President's health is a

guessing game. She said that in her recent meetings with Yar'Auda

he seems alert but drawn in the face and frail. She reported that

a Julius Berger (protect) contact says that the President was not

in danger of dying soon but has serious ailments from which he

will never fully recover. Pickard shared that Berger provides

transportation including planes for the President and has

reportedly flown in doctors and technicians to attend the

President (reftel). She said, for instance, that her Berger

contact confided that they flew the President from Germany to

Saudi in September 2008. Additionally, the Berger contact thought

the President would not return to the Villa

ABUJA 00000259 003 OF 003

 offices, as they were moving the President's personal things out

of the Villa. (Note: What we think this means is that Yar'Adua is

spending most of his time in the presidential residence and not

in the Villa offices. End Note).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HOPES THAT OIL NATIONALISM CAN BE TEMPERED

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Â¶8. (C) The Ambassador asked how comfortable Shell was with the

new appointment of Dr. Rilwanu Lukman as Minister of Petroleum

Resources, and the appointment of Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo as the

new NNPC GMD. Pickard sees the nationalism card cooling with the

removal of former NNPC GMD Yar'Adua, given that new Minister of

Petroleum Lukman is more "pragmatic" and will hold sway over

deputy Minister Ajumogobia. (Note: Ajumogobia's technical

assistant told EconOff in a meeting on January 14, 2009 that the

State Minister was focusing on Gas, since before the mass cabinet

change he was State Minster of Petroleum, with a separate State

Minster for Gas.) End Note. She said she was also okay with NNPC

chief Barkindo. She has worked with Barkindo several times over

the past few decades, especially when they were both working

climate change. She said Barkindo led Nigeria's technical

delegation to climate change negotiations that produced the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)and

the Kyoto protocol to UNFCCC during while he served on its Bureau

at various times. She indicated that although his undergraduate

studies were in political science, he obtained his MBA from

Southeastern University in Washington DC and did postgraduate

work in petroleum economics and management at Oxford University.

Although she also said terms like nationalistic and Chavez she

however said that she thought he could be steered in the right

direction on the petroleum sector.

- - - -

COMMENT

- - - -

Â¶9. (C) Although Pickard clearly seems frustrated with the way

things are going in the maritime security, oil sector

legislation, and corruption which affects Shell's bottom line, it

was useful to hear that she has hopes for the new Petroleum

Minister and NNPC chief. Septel on the Ambassador's meeting with

new Petroleum Minister Lukman will address many of these same

issues.

Â¶10. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos.

SANDERS

*****************************************************

Ethiopia - Hardliner Views

http://213.251.145.96/cable/2009/06/09ADDISABABA1318.html

Monday, 08 June 2009, 12:33

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ADDIS ABABA 001318

SIPDIS

EO 12958 DECL: 06/07/2019

TAGS PGOV, PINR, PREL, KPAO, ET

SUBJECT: UNDERSTANDING THE ETHIOPIAN HARDLINERS

Classified By: Ambassador Donald Yamamoto for reasons 1.4 (B) and

(D).

SUMMARY

-------

Â¶1. (S) In a rare meeting with the elusive head of the Ethiopian

National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and main

hardliner within the powerful executive committee of the ruling

Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) party,

Ambassador and NISS chief Getachew Assefa discussed a wide range

of regional and bilateral issues. Getachew made clear during the

four hour private meeting that Ethiopia sought greater

understanding from the U.S. on national security issues vital to

Ethiopia, especially Ethiopia's concerns over domestic insurgent

groups like the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National

Liberation Front (ONLF). He spoke at length about former Addis

Ababa Mayor-elect Berhanu Nega XXXXXXXXXXXX; VOA's biased

reporting; the dangers of former defense minister Seeye Abraha's

growing authority within the opposition; Ethiopia's views on

democracy and human rights; Eritrea's role as a rogue state in

the region; and regional issues including the importance of

supporting the Transitional Federal Government and a

rapprochement with Alhu Sunna Wal Jama'a (ASWJ) as the only

option for Somalia's survival; and the need for U.S.

reconciliation with Sudan. End Summary.

TOWARD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING

-----------------------------

Â¶2. (S) Through the arrangements of former U.S. Ambassador to

Ethiopia, Irv Hicks, Ambassador met with Ethiopia's national

intelligence chief, Getachew Assefa, for a four hour private

meeting on June 4. Getachew, noted for his eccentric behavior and

elusiveness, explained to the Ambassador that he welcomes greater

dialogue with the U.S. Embassy, but underscored the importance of

deeper U.S. understanding of Ethiopia's security concerns.

Characterizing the U.S. relationship as sound and expressing

appreciation for the cooperation with the U.S. on special

projects on counterterrorism, Getachew emphasized that Ethiopia

shares U.S. views on high value targets (HVT) like Robow and

al-Turki as threats to regional stability. But domestic insurgent

groups, like the OLF and ONLF, should also be treated as

terrorists because they have safe haven camps in extremist-held

areas in Somalia and receive support and assistance from the very

same HVTs that the U.S. and Ethiopia are trying to neutralize.

Such support makes the ONLF and OLF accomplices with

international terrorist groups, Getachew argued. Just as Ethiopia

would not meet with domestic U.S. insurgent groups, referring to

individuals and groups who would conduct bombings of U.S.

government offices, abortion clinics and advocates of racial and

gender hate, Ethiopia would not want U.S. officials to meet with

Ethiopia's domestic insurgents who bomb and kill Ethiopian

officials and citizens.

Â¶3. (S) Getachew added that the GOE does conduct talks with the

ONLF and OLF and there are groups, like the Ethiopian elders, who

reach out to the membership in an effort to end the violence.

Getachew stressed that this is an Ethiopian process by Ethiopians

and should remain an Ethiopian-led, Ethiopian-directed and

Ethiopian-coordinated process. Ambassador made clear that the

U.S. Administration does not meet with the ONLF and that the U.S.

is in close consultations with Ethiopian authorities on their

views on the ONLF and OLF, and that the U.S. supports the work of

the Ethiopian Elders to end the violence. Getachew noted the

visit to European Capitals and Washington of ONLF senior leaders

and said they met with staffers in the U.S. Vice President's

office. The Ambassador said that we had no evidence that a

meeting took place with the Vice President's staff and stressed

that the State Department did not meet with the ONLF group.

Further, the U.S. military no longer meets with alleged ONLF

supporters in the volatile Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia

because of security concerns. The Ambassador stressed that such

meetings in the past was for force protection of U.S. military

civil affairs team working in the dangerous Ogaden region near

Somalia, but in the last few years there has been no contact. The

Ambassador added that there should be closer discussion between

he U.S. and Ethiopia on this issue.

U.S. GIVES EXTREMISTS A VOICE AND LEGITIMACY

--------------------------------------------

ADDIS ABAB 00001318 002 OF 004

Â¶4. (S) Getachew complained pointedly that Voice of America (VOA)

is biased and gives a platform for extremist elements.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Â¶5. (S) Getachew also discussed the VOA reports covering former

State Department official Greg Stanton of Genocide Watch, who

charged Prime Minister Meles of crimes against humanity as a

result of Ethiopia's incursion into Somalia in 2006. Getachew

complained that VOA Amharic reporting was biased and not even

handed. He did note that VOA English was fine. VOA Amharic

service does not interview Ethiopian officials who can refute

"false assertions" espoused in the VOA interviews. Getachew

praised Germany's Deutsche Wella service for its balanced and yet

hard hitting reporting. Getachew underscored that if the GOE is

doing something wrong or does not have the support of the people,

news services have an obligation to highlight such problems.

Getachew said VOA, however, seeks to report only what is

anti-government or lend support for the opposition. Getachew

concluded that the U.S.G., because of VOA Amharic service is an

official arm of the U.S.G., lacks neutrality in its support for

the opposition and this undercuts relations between the two

countries. The Ambassador replied that VOA is a very independent

media and the U.S.G. does not have oversight and control over the

content of the reporting.

Â¶6. (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX

THE OPPOSITION

--------------

Â¶7. (S) Getachew commented on Ethiopia's opposition leadership

underscoring that he wishes to see a vibrant opposition movement,

but currently, the NGO community and foreign missions support the

opposition blindly without critical analysis. Ã¡XXXXXXXXXXXX

ADDIS ABAB 00001318 003 OF 004

Â¶8. (S) XXXXXXXXXXXX

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

--------------------------

Â¶9. (S) Getachew echoed common themes advocated by the ruling

EPRDF party stalwarts from the Prime Minister to the party

faithful. He stressed that the EPRDF supports democracy and that

it is the goal for the ruling party to eventually give way to

other parties of common vision in fighting poverty and a

commitment to support the process of democratization. Getachew

said he would support opposition parties if they have a better

message to help Ethiopia overcome poverty, improve health care

and education, and raise the standard of living of the Ethiopian

people. He added that the U.S. and others should look at

Ethiopia's democracy efforts and human rights record as a work in

progress. It will take time but Ethiopia is moving in the right

direction that will make Ethiopia a democratic state.

FOREIGN POLICY: ERITREA, SOMALIA, AND SUDAN

-------------------------------------------

Â¶10. (S) Getachew described Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki as

"no martyr," who sought to survive and establish himself as the

predominate leader in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia stands in the

way of Isaias' grand design and it is his goal to divide Ethiopia

and weaken it through terrorism. Getachew remarked that one of

Isaias' bodyguards was in Dubai and then defected to Ethiopia.

The bodyguard remarked that Isaias was a recluse who spent his

days painting and tinkering with gadgets and carpentry work.

Isaias appeared to make decisions in isolation with no discussion

with his advisors. It was difficult to tell how Isaias would

react each day and his moods changed constantly. Getachew added

that Eritrea trains over 30 rebel groups at Camp Sawa near the

Sudan border and graduates are infiltrated into Sudan, Ethiopia

and Somalia to enhance instability and target Ethiopian

interests. Getachew expressed dismay with Kenya in allowing

Eritrean intel officers and military trainers who support

al-Shabaab in Somalia, to bribe their way out of Kenya and return

to Eritrea. He explained the activities of Abraha Kassa,

Eritrea's elusive intel chief who directs Eritrea's Somalia

operations.

Â¶11. (S) On Somalia, Getachew said the only way to support

stability was through support for the ASWJ which attracts a wide

range of support from all the clans, especially those groups in

conflict with each other. The ASWJ has been effective in

countering al-Shabaab and is ideologically committed to Sufism

and the defense of Islam against the extremist salafists which

form al-Shabaab. Getachew said the U.S. can best help by

supporting the ASWJ and TFG to cooperate, to pay salaries of TFG

troops and support the IGAD and African Union which are seeking

to sanction Eritrea, implement a no fly zone, and close ports

used by extremist elements.

Â¶12. (S) On Sudan, Getachew urged the U.S. to engage Bashir and

the Sudanese leadership. Sudan, more than Somalia, poses the

greatest threat to regional security and stability, Getachew

argued. The prospects for a civil war which destabilizes the

region would be devastating. The only country that would benefit

would be Eritrea.

COMMENT

-------

Â¶13. (S) It is interesting that Getachew's description of

President Isaias mirrors Getachew's own character, as well.

ADDIS ABAB 00001318 004 OF 004

Getachew avoids speaking with foreigners and few foreigners

really know him. He is not well liked within his own agency for

decisions he makes in isolation which, at times, make little

sense and are not discussed in consensus with his staff. His

apparent hot temper and reclusive habits have made it difficult

for his staff to gauge his moods and understand his thought

process. The Prime Minister himself and other EPRDF leaders have

remarked to the Ambassador that it is difficult to talk with

Getachew and to meet with him, but that his loyalty to the EPRDF

is never in question. Despite his poor reputation, Getachew is

regarded as a strong EPRDF hardliner and commands considerable

authority and influence within the powerful EPRDF executive

committee which lays down the policy for the ruling party and the

government. While relations with NISS officials below Getachew's

rank are extremely cordial and, depending on the unit, very

close, the Ambassador has met with Getachew only twice in the

past three years, and other Embassy staff have also met with

little success in engaging him. Even visiting senior U.S. intel

officers have not been successful in meeting Getachew. Ambassador

will pursue future meetings with Getachew but he will never be a

close contact.

End Comment. YAMAMOTO

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