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