SOCEUR AIRLIFT PROMOTES PEACE IN NORTHERN MALI

UNCLAS BAMAKO 000394 SIPDIS SIPDIS USEUCOM PLEASE PASS TO RADM MCRAVEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV ML SUBJECT: SOCEUR AIRLIFT PROMOTES PEACE IN NORTHERN MALI REF: BAMAKO 374 ¶1. Cable provides text of letter from Ambassador McCulley to RADM William H. McRaven, Commander SOCEUR, concerning airlift support provided to the Kidal Forum in Northern Mali from 23-24 March: Dear Admiral McRaven: I write to thank you and the US Special Operations Command for your support to the Kidal Forum from March 23-34. The Forum was an important event in bringing closure to last May's Tuareg rebellion, and more importantly achieving the Government of Mali's objective of focusing donor attention on development in Northern Mali. I particularly want to commend the great professionalism of the military members involved in the flawless operation, including the Air Force security team. Every person who talked to me about the airlift--from senior government officials to fellow Ambassadors--commented on the poise, politeness, and efficiency of the air crew and ground support staff. The Algerian Ambassador, and the Algerian Colonel who coordinated the Algerian air support, noted as well that the airfield logistics would have been unmanageable without the assistance of the US Air Force and other US military members on the ground in Kidal. The highly visible, and deeply appreciated, air lift operation conducted by your command demonstrated to everyone in the Kidal region the United States' commitment to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in northern Mali. President Toure specifically thanked the United States in his closing remarks, and the Prime Minister and other senior Malian officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, asked that I convey their appreciation of the U.S. Government. Your command's support of the Kidal Forum demonstrated how the Departments of State and Defense and USAID can work together to advance US policy goals in Africa, and I am most grateful to you and all involved in the mission planning and execution in making it happen. Yours Sincerely, Terence P. McCulley Ambassador. ¶2. Reftel provided additional reporting on the Kidal forum. McCulley