Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUJA689
2006-03-28 10:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR CALLS ON NEW DES-PADS

Tags:  PREL MASS KPKO NI XY ECOWAS 
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UNCLAS ABUJA 000689 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS KPKO NI XY ECOWAS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON NEW DES-PADS

UNCLAS ABUJA 000689

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS KPKO NI XY ECOWAS
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON NEW DES-PADS


1. Ambassador called on the Colonel Mahamane Toure, the new
Deputy Executive Secretary for Political Affairs, Defense,
and Security at ECOWAS. Also in attendance were the DATT,
PolMilOff, and a EUCOM J5 officer.


2. The cordial meeting offered the Ambassador an
opportunity to express the importance of the relationship
with ECOWAS to the USG and to offer opportunities for
increased engagement. The Ambassador discussed
opportunities for US-funded training, such as IMET, for
officers rotating into the ECOWAS Mission Planning and
Management Cell, and stressed that early identification of
these officers would allow enough time to provide training
to these officers prior to their arrival at ECOWAS. The
EUCOM J5 officer discussed finding an opportunity, possibly
in late summer, to bring Toure to EUCOM.


3. When asked about his goals during his tenure as DES-
PADS, Colonel Toure said that he did not yet have enough of
a feel for the position to make a commitment to goals.
Right now, he said, he was relying on the experience of his
subordinates to guide him through his job as he continues to
familiarize himself with the issues and personalities
involved.


4. Background: Colonel Toure replaces the late Major
General Diarra, who died in crash of Bellview 210. ECOWAS
has decided to move to a commission structure, and has
placed a freeze on most hiring until the new staffing
patterns are finalized, but made an exception for the DES-
PADS position given the importance of the portfolio.
Colonel Toure was offered his new position following the
ECOWAS summit in Niamey in January, and assumed duties in
mid-February.

CAMPBELL