GUIDANCE REQUEST: TANZANIA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000710 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF/E FOR JLIDDLE; AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MOPS TZ CN SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: TANZANIA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE REDEPLOYMENT FROM COMOROS ¶1. In a recent meeting with DATT, Tanzanian People's Defense Forces (TPDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shimbo requested U.S. assistance to redeploy 186 troops and equipment from Comoros to Tanzania, at an estimated cost of USD 158,000. Embassy supports this request and requests Department guidance (see para 5). ¶2. Background: TPDF troops are in Comoros as part of the African Union-led mission to restore constitutional government on Anjouan. The TPDF contingent deployed in March 2008 via French military airlift, in advance of the Anjouan operation. In April 2008, the U.S. provided financial assistance to redeploy the majority of the TPDF contingent to Tanzania. The U.S. used a contract air carrier to transport TPDF soldiers and paid for fuel and daily operations cost for the redeployment of the Tanzanian navy. 185 Tanzanian troops and equipment remained in Comoros pending closure of the AU mission. ¶3. According to Lt. Gen. Shimbo, the GOT has requested through the African Union and the Government of Comoros that the AU-led mission to the Comoros be declared over, to permit redeployment of TPDF troops. He expected approval would not be controversial and would occur in the near future. ¶4. Shimbo provided DATT with a cost estimate of USD 158,000 for the proposed redeployment. This would include sea shipment of approximately 20 tons of material and air transport of 186 personnel and arms, ammunition and fragile items. NOTE: Embassy has capacity to execute a contract of this size. End note. ¶5. Guidance request. Embassy supports the request for U.S. funding to assist redeployment of the remaining TPDF contingent to Tanzania. U.S. assistance for completion of the redeployment would demonstrate our continued support for the GOT's increasing role in regional and international peacekeeping operations, including planned TPDF deployment to Darfur as part of UNAMID and interest in supporting AMISOM. ANDRE