GENERAL WARD'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KUFUOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001818 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS MASS GH SUBJECT: GENERAL WARD'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KUFUOR REF: A) ACCRA 1573 (NOTAL) B) ACCRA 1569 (NOTAL) Classified By: AMB. PAMELA E. BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On August 6, President Kufuor told General William E. Ward, Deputy Commander of European Command and the nominee to command Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Ambassador that the U.S. needs to conduct &lots of diplomacy8 concerning AFRICOM. Kufuor reiterated points reported in ref A saying that how AFRICOM is established is the most important issue. Kufuor also asked for assistance to deploy Ghanaian forces to Somalia, saying that Ghana lacked the proper equipment and airlift capacity to deploy. Kufuor did not seem to understand the basic concept of AFRICOM and remains focused on how AFRICOM will be established, rather than on its mission. Some of his comments suggested a basic misunderstanding of AFRICOM's role and indicate that further USG efforts to explain it will be beneficial. End summary. ¶2. (C) On August 6, General William E. Ward, Deputy Commander of European Command (EUCOM) and Presidential Designate for Africa Command (AFRICOM) accompanied by Ambassador Bridgewater and EUCOM delegation, met with President John A. Kufuor to discuss AFRICOM and Africa. Gen. Ward told Kufuor he wants to continue discussions on how AFRICOM and the African Union (AU) can work together to increase capabilities in stabilizing the continent. Ward also pointed toward Ghana's continuing importance in its leadership role in the AU, not only through the current chairmanship, but also through its proven record of leadership in peacekeeping missions throughout the world. Ward also reminded Kufuor that AFRICOM is not designed to take the place of other governmental agencies, but instead will serve as a supporting force. AFRICOM, Ward said, will support the structures in which the USG operate through a variety of security-enhancing ways, to include training and advising programs. ¶3. (C) President Kufuor, for his part, told General Ward that it is in both the U.S. and Ghanaian national interest to cooperate. Peace and stability are central, Kufuor stressed, saying that both the U.S. and Ghana face similar challenges in Somalia and Darfur. Switching to AFRICOM, Kufuor said that he sees a potential for AFRICOM to be a coordinating effort for the many efforts of the USG across Ghana, which he said tend to overlap. Kufuor indicated that he hopes AFRICOM would serve as a central place for coordinating U.S. policy, adding that he hoped AFRICOM would make cooperation with the U.S. even easier. General Ward repeated to Kufuor that the Country Team in each nation would still have the lead on all bilateral issues, with AFRICOM serving in a supporting capacity. ¶4. (C) Kufuor added that AFRICOM might cause suspicion among Africans. Many observers, Kufuor said, fear an effort to recolonize Africa is afoot. AFRICOM, Kufuor stressed, needs &lots of diplomacy8 in order for it to be received properly and added that a lot of groundwork remains to be covered. The most important issue at this point is how AFRICOM is established. Kufuor also expressed concern that others in Africa view Ghana as a &U.S. base.8 This is problematic, he said, and we must work together to avoid such misconceptions. He welcomed AFRICOM engagement with the AU, saying that the AU has consistently told its members not to have specific bilateral relationships with countries outside of Africa. Close consultation with the AU on the physical location of AFRICOM is important, according to Kufuor. Ghanaian and AU Troop Deployments -------------- ¶5. (C) Regarding troop deployments, Kufuor told Gen. Ward that the AU has made appeals to the UN Security Council (UNSC) to enable African nations to resolve the situations in Somalia and Sudan. Kufuor solicited more assistance for both the AU and the UN and Ward made it clear that the U.S. does support peacekeeping operations through the UN. On Darfur, Kufuor said that it appears to be &shaping up,8 particularly since Sudan has agreed to the hybrid force. He also recommended that the U.S. encourage France to do more on border security in Chad. On Somalia, Kufuor said that 300 troops are &standing by8, but the airlift and lack of equipment hinder a quick deployment. Kufuor said that he would like assistance in arranging for equipment and an airlift for these troops. ¶6. (C) Kufuor went on to say that while Ghana is currently contributing troops to various missions, more resources are needed before additional deployments can be made. Ghana,s military, Kufuor said, is &fully stretched.8 He pointed to the ongoing missions in Congo, Lebanon, Cote d,Ivoire and ACCRA 00001818 002 OF 002 Liberia as evidence that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) are exhausted, adding that GAF troops have been in the Congo from i]tZQ|;uM6gQH+ possibility of South Africa,s supplying some logistical support, but Kufuor said he did not believe that South African assistance would be possible. He said that it is not easy to call on other countries in Africa for military assistance, saying that South Africa is really the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa who could possibly help. He was also dismissive of North African countries, saying that they are not reliable partners. ¶7. (C) Comment: Kufuor,s statements are not new and were reflected in refs A and B. He seems to be concerned more with how AFRICOM will be established than on its potential mission in Africa, and indicated that he thought AFRICOM would take the lead on USG policy toward Africa. These comments suggest a basic misunderstanding of AFRICOM's role, and indicate that further USG efforts to explain this will be beneficial. End comment. ¶8. (U) Cleared by EUCOM POLAD Mary C. Yates. BRIDGEWATER