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