Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS1124
2008-10-18 06:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
ALGERIAN MEDIA: AFRICOM TO COUNTER GROWING CHINESE
how-toVZCZCXRO8734 RR RUEHTRO DE RUEHAS #1124 2920618 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 180618Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6501 INFO RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 2537 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7390 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1089 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2895 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 9063 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 6530 RUEHNM/AMEMBASSY NIAMEY 1739 RUEHBP/AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 0722 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3550 RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001124
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA JBANDO, NEA/RA SSOUCEK, PM/PPA EFOSTER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MEDIA: AFRICOM TO COUNTER GROWING CHINESE
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
REF: STATE 104550
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001124
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA JBANDO, NEA/RA SSOUCEK, PM/PPA EFOSTER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MEDIA: AFRICOM TO COUNTER GROWING CHINESE
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
REF: STATE 104550
1. We delivered reftel demarche notifying the Algerian
government of AFRICOM's official inception as a unified
command to MFA North America Deputy Director Rachid Ouali on
October 8. Ouali provided no substantive comment on AFRICOM.
Meanwhile, Algeria's leading newspapers devoted measured
coverage of AFRICOM's stand up between September 30 and
October 4, and highlighted the concern of skeptics in the
region who doubt the true intention of AFRICOM's mission.
2. French-language daily El Watan provided factual coverage
of AFRICOM's unified command status on September 30, quoting
a July GAO report which underscored AFRICOM's mission to
assist African nations interested in improving security for
their people, territory and borders. The article also
highlighted the concerns of AFRICOM skeptics who fear
Washington is seeking to augment its military presence in
Africa to offset China's growing economic influence in the
region. French-language daily Liberte ran a headline calling
AFRICOM "America's tool to control Africa" in a September 30
article. The article reported that the U.S. is moving ahead
with AFRICOM despite continued hostility to the idea in the
region. Liberte also cited Chinese economic might in Africa
as one factor behind U.S. plans to press ahead with AFRICOM.
Both Liberte and El Watan's September 30 reports noted that
AFRICOM will continue to operate from Stuttgart. However,
Liberte alleged in an October 4 article that a U.S.
delegation in Rabat was discussing Morocco as a possible host
for AFRICOM headquarters.
PEARCE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/RSA JBANDO, NEA/RA SSOUCEK, PM/PPA EFOSTER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MEDIA: AFRICOM TO COUNTER GROWING CHINESE
ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
REF: STATE 104550
1. We delivered reftel demarche notifying the Algerian
government of AFRICOM's official inception as a unified
command to MFA North America Deputy Director Rachid Ouali on
October 8. Ouali provided no substantive comment on AFRICOM.
Meanwhile, Algeria's leading newspapers devoted measured
coverage of AFRICOM's stand up between September 30 and
October 4, and highlighted the concern of skeptics in the
region who doubt the true intention of AFRICOM's mission.
2. French-language daily El Watan provided factual coverage
of AFRICOM's unified command status on September 30, quoting
a July GAO report which underscored AFRICOM's mission to
assist African nations interested in improving security for
their people, territory and borders. The article also
highlighted the concerns of AFRICOM skeptics who fear
Washington is seeking to augment its military presence in
Africa to offset China's growing economic influence in the
region. French-language daily Liberte ran a headline calling
AFRICOM "America's tool to control Africa" in a September 30
article. The article reported that the U.S. is moving ahead
with AFRICOM despite continued hostility to the idea in the
region. Liberte also cited Chinese economic might in Africa
as one factor behind U.S. plans to press ahead with AFRICOM.
Both Liberte and El Watan's September 30 reports noted that
AFRICOM will continue to operate from Stuttgart. However,
Liberte alleged in an October 4 article that a U.S.
delegation in Rabat was discussing Morocco as a possible host
for AFRICOM headquarters.
PEARCE