CAMEROON TO ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 001159

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/C, AF/RSA, IO AND PM
EUCOM FOR J5-A AND POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC CM MASS PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: CAMEROON TO ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF
SECURITY FORCES PROJECT

REF: A. YAOUNDE 846 (NOTAL)


B. YAOUNDE 562 (NOTAL)

C. YAOUNDE 502 (NOTAL)

D. 06 YAOUNDE 1768 (NOTAL)

E. IIR 6 825 2049 07 (NOTAL)

F. IIR 6 825 2007 07 (NOTAL)

G. IIR 6 825 2030 07 (NOTAL)

H. IIR 6 910 0253 07 (NOTAL)


1. (U) The Government of Cameroon (GRC) has informed post
that it will announce at the upcoming UNGA its plan to create
an International School of Security Forces in Cameroon (with
French support),focused on training police and gendarmes for
peacekeeping operations in Africa. Cameroon is seeking USG
support in what promises to be an important new effort to
enhance Africa's capacity in regional peacekeeping.


2. (U) This diplomatic note is the most recent in a series
of actions (reftels) undertaken by Cameroon and regional
partners demonstrating a growing will and ability to assume a
greater role in regional security and peacekeeping. This is
a promising initiative, and we plan to quickly engage the GRC
to explore possible USG financial, logistical, human and
other assistance.


3. (U) Text of GRC diplomatic note (in English) dated
September 13, 2007, follows:

Begin Text:

The Ministry of External Relations of the Republic of
Cameroon presents its compliments to the Embassy of the
United States in Yaounde and, with reference to the
presentation of the "International School of Security Forces"
project at the Embassy of France in Yaounde on 9 March 2007,
has the honor to bring to its knowledge, for the urgent
information of the competent American Authorities, the
initiative of Cameroon to open, in cooperation with France,
an International School of Security Forces, for African
gendarme officers and policemen who have to take part in
peacekeeping operations deployed in Africa by the United
Nations or/and African Union.

Cameroon, for some time now, has been admitting into its
training centers nationals from other African countries
interested in strengthening their peacekeeping and police
capacities. The satisfaction, expressed by these states,
with the training thus offered, has encouraged the
Cameroonian Government to open, in cooperation with other
development partners including France, an International
School of Security Forces, in Awae, Cameroon, a stable and
perfectly bilingual country. This school will be a precious
instrument for African States concerned with giving their
nationals adequate training for quality participation in
peacekeeping operations.

Cameroon has no doubt that this Center, just like those in
Ghana and Mali, will contribute in building the capacities of
Africa to cooperate with the UN, as stated in the Charter, in
maintaining peace and security in the region. Current
happenings, in our continent where conflict and post-conflict
situations are rife, make the initiative taken by Cameroon
and France more relevant and far-reaching.

During the 62nd Session of the General Assembly, Cameroon
intends to present this project at a meeting that might be
scheduled from 25-26 September 2007. Cognizant of the
commitment of the American Government to the strengthening of
African capacities for peacekeeping operations deployed on
the continent, the Cameroonian Government would like to count
on its support for the success of this initiative and the
concretisation of this laudable project.

The Ministry of External Relations of the Republic of
Cameroon extends its thanks to the Embassy of the United
States in Yaounde for its kind and diligent assistance, and
avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the latter the
assurances of its high esteem.

End text of GRC diplomatic note dated September 13, 2007.
GARVEY