Mozambique - Fourth Iteration of ACOTA Training

UNCLAS E F T O MAPUTO 000981 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE AF/S - HTREGER AF/RSA/ACOTA - JSEVOLD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MZ SUBJECT: Mozambique - Fourth Iteration of ACOTA Training Refs: Maputo 271 Maputo 565 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The fourth iteration of ACOTA peacekeeping training took place successfully July 17- August 4. Mozambican military officials expressed enthusiasm for the program and hope the USG will provide additional training. Separately, Defense Minister Dai emphasized to the Charge and DATT on August 7 the importance he placed on continuation of the training and provision of additional support. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Some 400 soldiers underwent ACOTA Peace Support Operations Soldier Skills Training (PSOSST) at the Mozambican military base in Boane, near Maputo, over July 17 - August 4. Also taking part were 28 members of Mozambique's Special Forces. The PSOSST exercise was preceded by a three-day "train the trainer" seminar designed to enhance the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) instructor cadre's ability to conduct PSOSST with only minimal assistance from ACOTA training staff. ¶3. (U) The training concluded with a "quadrant search" exercise at sunrise, in which the entire FADM contingent surrounded and searched the outskirts of a nearby village. Village leaders had been informed several days beforehand and provided several eager participants. According to the two USG ACOTA instructors, FADM troops carried out the exercise professionally and with enthusiasm, departing the base shortly after 4 AM and reaching their positions well ahead of time. ¶4. (U) Addressing the assembled soldiers on the parade ground at the closing ceremony, a general from FADM?s training department congratulated them for their successful training and emphasized that Mozambique hoped to be able to field peacekeeping units in the future. (Note - emboff witnessed the closing ceremony. End note.) Speaking with emboff afterwards, the general stressed that he and the FADM high command hoped that further ACOTA training assistance would be forthcoming. ¶5. (U) Comment: As mentioned in reftels, the GRM remains very keen to continue receiving ACOTA training. With this group, to date approximately 1,000 FADM soldiers have received PKO instruction. The GRM would like further refresher instruction for these trained soldiers since their PKO skills are perishable over time, as well as more training of others so that the FADM eventually has the equivalent of three battalion-strength contingents (roughly 2,300 soldiers) to perform PKO duties. Additionally, during a meeting with the new U.S. Defense Attache the FADM officer responsible for PKO training expressed a desire to conduct additional Command Post Exercises (CPX) in order to maintain proficiency levels among officers and senior non commissioned officers. End Comment. ¶6. (SBU) In an August 7 meeting to receive the new DATT, Defense Minister Dai emphasized the importance the GRM placed on continuation of the training. He also asked for support for facilities to house FADM peacekeeping forces at Moamba. Dudley