Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NOUAKCHOTT32
2007-01-10 10:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:
PEACEKEEPING IN SOMALIA: POSSIBLE MAURITANIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO4090 PP RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN DE RUEHNK #0032 0101045 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 101045Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6094 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0523
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000032
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: AU KPKO MR PREL SO
SUBJECT: PEACEKEEPING IN SOMALIA: POSSIBLE MAURITANIAN
INTEREST
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Charles H. Twining for Reason 1.4 (b,d
)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000032
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: AU KPKO MR PREL SO
SUBJECT: PEACEKEEPING IN SOMALIA: POSSIBLE MAURITANIAN
INTEREST
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Charles H. Twining for Reason 1.4 (b,d
)
1. (C) During the course of a January 9 discussion with Armed
Forces Chief of Staff Colonel Abderrahmane Ould Boubacar on
the role of the military in a democratic Mauritania, we asked
about interest in peacekeeping. The country's current role
is limited to fielding twenty observers in the AU force in
Darfur. The Colonel replied that the GIRM would like to
become much more involved in peacekeeping in the future, both
as a way of broadening the experience of its troops and
improving their performance. He said he hoped the U.S. could
assist in developing Mauritania's peacekeeping capability.
We agreed that it would be an appropriate role for us and
other friends of Mauritania to play, assuming the remainder
of the election process and transition to a new civilian
government goes smoothly.
2. (C) We asked whether consideration is being given to
participating in a Somali peacekeeping operation (reftel).
The Chief of Staff said it is entirely possible, though he
was not sure how many troops he could come up with
immediately. As his personnel's Arabic language capability
has proved to be an advantage in Darfur, he felt that it
would be similarly advantageous in Somalia. Were Mauritania
to participate in a Somali operation, major needs would be in
the areas of materiel and logistics support.
3. (C) Comment. While it was not our purpose in talking to
him, once it was broached the Colonel in no way dismissed the
possibility of contributing troops for a Somalia force.
Indeed, from looks around the room we had the feeling that we
were hardly the first to ask about it. While not applicable
to the immediate future, the DATT will provide some thoughts
through DOD channels of a possible post-transition program to
consider developing Mauritanian capabilities.
Twining
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2017
TAGS: AU KPKO MR PREL SO
SUBJECT: PEACEKEEPING IN SOMALIA: POSSIBLE MAURITANIAN
INTEREST
REF: ADDIS ABABA 23
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Charles H. Twining for Reason 1.4 (b,d
)
1. (C) During the course of a January 9 discussion with Armed
Forces Chief of Staff Colonel Abderrahmane Ould Boubacar on
the role of the military in a democratic Mauritania, we asked
about interest in peacekeeping. The country's current role
is limited to fielding twenty observers in the AU force in
Darfur. The Colonel replied that the GIRM would like to
become much more involved in peacekeeping in the future, both
as a way of broadening the experience of its troops and
improving their performance. He said he hoped the U.S. could
assist in developing Mauritania's peacekeeping capability.
We agreed that it would be an appropriate role for us and
other friends of Mauritania to play, assuming the remainder
of the election process and transition to a new civilian
government goes smoothly.
2. (C) We asked whether consideration is being given to
participating in a Somali peacekeeping operation (reftel).
The Chief of Staff said it is entirely possible, though he
was not sure how many troops he could come up with
immediately. As his personnel's Arabic language capability
has proved to be an advantage in Darfur, he felt that it
would be similarly advantageous in Somalia. Were Mauritania
to participate in a Somali operation, major needs would be in
the areas of materiel and logistics support.
3. (C) Comment. While it was not our purpose in talking to
him, once it was broached the Colonel in no way dismissed the
possibility of contributing troops for a Somalia force.
Indeed, from looks around the room we had the feeling that we
were hardly the first to ask about it. While not applicable
to the immediate future, the DATT will provide some thoughts
through DOD channels of a possible post-transition program to
consider developing Mauritanian capabilities.
Twining