Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANJUL7
2007-01-05 11:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:
THE GAMBIA: POSSIBLE TCC FOR AU PEACEKEEPING
how-toVZCZCXRO0432 OO RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN DE RUEHJL #0007 0051147 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051147Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7217 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0302 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//POLAD/J2
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000007
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DAKAR PLS PASS ODC AND DAO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS AU GA SO
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: POSSIBLE TCC FOR AU PEACEKEEPING
MISSION TO SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000007
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DAKAR PLS PASS ODC AND DAO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS AU GA SO
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: POSSIBLE TCC FOR AU PEACEKEEPING
MISSION TO SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)
1.(C) We note that, in reftel report of Ambassador
Courville's January 1 meeting with AU PSC Commissioner
Djinnit, he mentioned The Gambia as a possible Troop
Contributing Country (TCC) for an AU peacekeeping mission to
Somalia. The Gambian armed forces have a well-established
record of participation in international and regional
peacekeeping operations, and we believe that the GOTG would
likely be amenable in principle to contributing troops for
such a mission to Somalia.
2. (C) However, we also believe that the GOTG would be
hard-pressed to provide the 500 troops suggested by Djinnit;
this number represents about half of The Gambia's tiny
military force, which consists essentially of two battalions.
Moreover, the GOTG currently has a 196-troop contingent in
Darfur and has indicated a willingness to consider increasing
that contingent to a battalion, if so requested by the AU/UN.
3. (C) Nonetheless, the GOTG doubtless remains keen to
burnish its foreign peacekeeping credentials -- and garner
the attendant financial benefit for its forces -- and hence
might well be prepared to supply some troops for a Somalia
mission, although probably less than 500.
STAFFORD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DAKAR PLS PASS ODC AND DAO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017
TAGS: PREL MOPS AU GA SO
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: POSSIBLE TCC FOR AU PEACEKEEPING
MISSION TO SOMALIA
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (B AND D)
1.(C) We note that, in reftel report of Ambassador
Courville's January 1 meeting with AU PSC Commissioner
Djinnit, he mentioned The Gambia as a possible Troop
Contributing Country (TCC) for an AU peacekeeping mission to
Somalia. The Gambian armed forces have a well-established
record of participation in international and regional
peacekeeping operations, and we believe that the GOTG would
likely be amenable in principle to contributing troops for
such a mission to Somalia.
2. (C) However, we also believe that the GOTG would be
hard-pressed to provide the 500 troops suggested by Djinnit;
this number represents about half of The Gambia's tiny
military force, which consists essentially of two battalions.
Moreover, the GOTG currently has a 196-troop contingent in
Darfur and has indicated a willingness to consider increasing
that contingent to a battalion, if so requested by the AU/UN.
3. (C) Nonetheless, the GOTG doubtless remains keen to
burnish its foreign peacekeeping credentials -- and garner
the attendant financial benefit for its forces -- and hence
might well be prepared to supply some troops for a Somalia
mission, although probably less than 500.
STAFFORD