BURUNDI MAINTAINS PLEDGE FOR AMISOM THIRD BATTALION

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000603 LONDON, PARIS, PLEASE PASS TO AFRICA WATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO SO AU BY KE NI RW SU UG ET SUBJECT: BURUNDI MAINTAINS PLEDGE FOR AMISOM THIRD BATTALION REF: STATE 125135 ¶1. (U) Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Germain Niyoyankana assured the Ambassador November 28 that Burundi will indeed honor its pledge to provide a third battalion of Burundian troops for the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM),and that Burundi stands ready to promise further battalions if needed. Niyoyankana said his troops would benefit from an additional ACOTA training visit, but they stand prepared to depart mid-January without such refresher training if necessary. The MinDef welcomed USG equipment and logistical support, acknowledging that donor assistance is necessary if Burundi is to continue to participate in AMISOM. Niyoyankana noted it would be useful if an additional 850 desert uniforms for the pledged third battalion could be procured and delivered in mid-January - the same time as 1,700 desert uniforms destined for the battalions already in theatre are scheduled to arrive in Bujumbura. Moller NOTE: MISSING SUBJECT TAGS.