BOTSWANA-BASED DELIBERATIONS OVER AFRICOM

S E C R E T GABORONE 001249 SIPDIS NOFORN STATE FOR D, P, AF, AF/RSA, AF/S AND PM DOD FOR OSD/ISA/AFR (WHELAN) E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2017 TAGS: PREL MARR BC SUBJECT: BOTSWANA-BASED DELIBERATIONS OVER AFRICOM REF: A. STATE 140052 ¶B. GABORONE 1158 ¶C. GABORONE 298 Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: In an understated and impeccable Botswana fashion, GOB Minister of Foreign Affairs Merafhe politely received the AFRICOM demarche from the Ambassador on October 10 and promised to get back to us quickly, possibly by October 12, with a firm GOB reply. Merafhe appeared genuinely interested and engaged during our meeting, but did not want to go against proper protocol, as he needs to brief his principals on this important USG approach. While waiting, we trust that the Department and DoD are continuing to craft useful press guidance for the public diplomacy campaign ahead. We repeat our suggestion that the term "basing" be dropped from the AFRICOM lexicon, and use instead "locating or situating" headquarters or other staff/personnel in African countries. From our experience, "basing" carries too much baggage here, and likely elsewhere across Africa. End Summary. ¶2. (S/NF) The Ambassador, accompanied by the DCM and ODC Chief, called on GOB Minister of Foreign Affairs Mompati Merafhe October 10 and delivered the demarche (Ref A) to explore possible locations for siting elements of the new Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the continent. The Ambassador noted that Botswana, along with some other African countries, is now being considered for hosting some such AFRICOM element. Recalling the GOB's earlier receptivity towards the AFRICOM concept (Refs B and C),the Ambassador sought to confirm Botswana's current sentiments and whether the country would be willing to receive a technical assessment team in the near future. ¶3. (S/NF) Foreign Minister Merafhe listened intently, and immediately wanted to know how many U.S. troops would be based in Botswana under this AFRICOM proposal. The Ambassador assured the Foreign Minister that this initiative does not entail "basing" combat troops in African countries, emphasizing that Africa Command will be a staff headquarters and not a troop headquarters. She continued that AFRICOM is now looking to locate its headquarters staff and smaller regional integration teams in some African countries. Despite the Foreign Minister's prompting, the Ambassador declined to identify the other African countries now being approached. ¶4. (S/NF) In reply, the Foreign Minister noted that there had been a great deal of spirited debate and discussion (much of it critical) in the media of late about AFRICOM (Ref B). He suggested that we all have been at somewhat of a disadvantage, because the GOB did not have details or specifics as to what the USG proposal on AFRICOM actually entailed and he did not want to be drawn into "shadow boxing" with AFRICOM's critics here. Now that he has a more concrete (although not fully defined) idea of what the USG is proposing, he has a better understanding and appreciation of our intentions and can brief his principals. ¶5. (S/NF) Comment: Foreign Minister Merafhe's reaction to our demarche is not surprising. In keeping with the character and culture of this consensus-driven country and polity, which just celebrated 41 years of democratic independence on September 30, Merafhe said that he must first consult on this formal USG approach vis-a-vis AFRICOM with higher authorities (likely President Mogae and Vice President Khama). He hopes to be able to give us a firm GOB reply by Friday, October 12. It would be premature of us to suggest how the GOB might officially respond to our demarche, but given past expressions of GOB interest from the highest levels here (reftels),we remain hopeful for a positive reply. ¶6. (S/NF) Comment Continued: In the meantime, while Botswana deliberates a bit, we trust that State and DoD continue their deliberations over what useful press guidance we might employ. This would be for the inevitable queries that will likely come our way now that we have more formally approached the GOB (and others) about hosting an AFRICOM element (albeit not quite a formal offer to do so). We also repeat our suggestion (Ref B) that the term "basing" be dropped from the AFRICOM lexicon, and use instead the vocabulary of "locating or situating" headquarters or other command staff and personnel in African countries. From our experience, the concept of "basing" conjures up automatic images of U.S. combat troops and carries too much baggage here, and likely elsewhere on the continent. End Comment. CANAVAN