SECRET

FROM: AMERICAN EMBASSY PORT EBONY

TO: SECRETARY OF STATE WASHINGTON DC

DATE: OCTOBER 1, 2019

SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON TERRORISM, MILITARY ISSUES

REF: STATE 201682

1. Secret -- Entire Text

SUMMARY

2. The DCM at the Ebony Coast’s embassy met with Deputy Prime Minister Lucas

Nyah-nyah and Presidential Secretary for Military Affairs Bartholomew D’oh to discuss

the issues of intelligence sharing regarding al-Qaeda’s presence in the region, the

unauthorized transfer of US weapons to HALF rebels, and the disappearance of US

citizen, John Barrage. Suggestions were made on the order of the State Department

(201682) to deal with these issues. Both issues of intelligence sharing and the

disappearance of John Barrage were met with resistance and should be raised to the

offices of the Prime Minister and ambassador. The illegal retransfer of arms to HALF

was discussed, and the EC representatives have approved of the plans as detailed in the

State Department Letter 201682.

INTELLIGENCE SHARING

3. The DCM has raised concerns over the potential formation of a base of operations for

al-Qaeda in the rebel-held territory of Desertia. Both D’oh and Nyah-nyah have denied
 having knowledge of an al-Qaeda presence in the region. The recommendation that the

US be provided direct access to all of the intelligence that the Ebony Coast has at its

disposal was rather contentious. This suggestion was met with complaints from D’oh,

who stated that it “sounds like an invasion” of the Ebony Coast from the US. All other

suggestions made by the DCM on the order of the State Department (201682) were met

with concerns, and it does not appear likely that the Ebony Coast will yield on the

intelligence sharing issue. Neither Nyah-nyah nor D’oh provided a definitive answer on

the ambassador’s suggestions, and a discussion will likely need to be had at a later date.

4. It is recommended that the issue be raised to the office of the ambassador. The discussion

between Nyah-nyah, D’oh, and the DCM did not appear to reach a favorable conclusion,

and it may be necessary that the ambassador takes up the issue with higher-ups in the

government. Additionally, it may be beneficial to reach out to CIA officials in the EC

embassy so that they may be made aware of the security threat in the region and the

potential need for a covert intelligence operation. The issue should be pursued by more

senior officials, and a discussion should be had about the establishment of a covert base

in the Ebony Coast.

UNAUTHORIZED MILITARY TRANSFERS TO HALF

5. The issue of illegal arms transfers to HALF was addressed between the representatives of

the Ebony Coast and the DCM at the American embassy. The DCM’s suggestion of a

Joint US-Ebony Coast Task Force on Military Assistance was met with brief resistance

by D’oh, but discussion continued. An audit by Port Ebony’s Defence Attaché Office was

also suggested. D’oh and Nyah-nyah were receptive to these suggestions, and there will
 be future discussions so that the suggestion may be implemented. The DCM has been

given explicit permission to go forward with these plans. The retransfer of US weapons

appears to be of some level of concern to both Nyah-nyah and D’oh, and resistance

against the DCM’s suggestions appear to be less strong.

6. It is recommended that the State Department continue ahead and draft a more formal plan

for a Joint US-Ebony Coast Task Force so that it may be implemented in the future.

Proceedings regarding this Task Force and the audit of the EC military stockpiles should

be pursued as soon as possible. After official confirmation of this Task Force and audit

plan, the transfer of arms should be closely monitored as to prevent this illegal retransfer

of US military weapons in the future.

RESCUE PLANS FOR AWOL AMERICAN CITIZEN

7. The disappearance of John Barrage has been raised as a major priority for US-EC

relations. The DCM discussed the absolute importance of allowing US control over the

search for John Barrage, and has suggested providing US military assistance to the EC.

Both D’oh and Nyah-nyah were hesitant to allow direct US control over the operation,

and the DCM suggested that it be presented as a “co-op effort” to the media. While the

representatives from the Ebony Coast did recognize the importance of locating and

freeing the American citizen, there was some hesitancy to allow the US complete control

over the operation. There was no definitive conclusion reached, and the EC

representatives did not reach a decision. The issue will be taken up with the PM.

8. The search and rescue of John Barrage should be viewed as a major priority in US-EC

diplomatic relations. It is thus recommended that the issue be taken up with the Prime
Minister of the Ebony Coast and that the ambassador become involved. This is not an

issue that can be side-lined, as the well-being of John Barrage is of the utmost

importance. There may also be a benefit to reaching out to human rights organizations to

put pressure on and bring attention to the Ebony Coast’s government. This issue should

be resolved as soon as possible, and efforts should be made to prevent this from

happening again in the future.