TRADE, NOT AU/SADC BRIGADES, TO BE MOGAE'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000880 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015 TAGS: PREL US BC SADC SUBJECT: TRADE, NOT AU/SADC BRIGADES, TO BE MOGAE'S PRIORITY AS FUTURE SADC CHAIR Classified By: CDA: Lois Aroian for reasons 1.5 (b) (d) ¶1. (U) ACSS Director General Carlton Fulford (ret),in Gaborone for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) Senor Leader Seminar, called on President Mogae June 18, accompanied by Charge. Gen. Fulford thanked Botswana for co-hosting the seminar. Substantive discussion centered on military issues and HIV/AIDS programs. President Mogae said the Seminar would be useful for Africans, who should be able to support themselves rather than rely on others. ¶2. (U) Gen. Fulford noted that the French-led exercise that was underway in Maun with SADC countries would help with formation of a Southern African Brigade, one of the African Union standby brigades. General Fulford asked if Mogae would make these brigades a priority once Botswana took over the SADC chairmanship ¶3. (C) President Mogae thanked the U.S. for its idea to have Africa form such brigades but said this would not be a priority for him when he takes over as SADC chair later this year. This, said Mogae, is because SADC has yet to implement the many agreements it has signed in the past. He emphasized inaction on the SADC Free Trade Agreement in particular. Mogae observed that most of the SADC protocols and agreements, in fact, were moribund. Mogae viewed the brigade as an AU, not a SADC, project. He promised, however, to support it, especially since Botswana expects to host the brigade. Gen. Fulford expressed the hope that Botswana soldiers would lead the brigade as well, and President Mogae agreed. ¶4. (C) Comment: President Mogae's comments underscore the current SADC state of inaction and the opportunity for the USG to encourage him in redynamizing SADC once he takes over as chair. This will not be easy for Mogae, however, because both the Executive Secretary and Deputy Secretary of SADC are slated for replacement this year,and SADC has advertised many vacancies for new positions. As ExecSec Ramsamy has told diplomats on a number of occasions, SADC will be reorganizing for the foreseeable future. AROIAN NNNN