BOTSWANA: AFRICOM DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000911 FOR AF/RSA AND PM/PPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2018 TAGS: MARR PREL BC SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: AFRICOM DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 104550 Classified By: CDA Rebecca Gonzales for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol-Econ Chief met October 8 with Mr. Shimane Kelaotswe, Assistant Director for the Americas in the Botswana Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She delivered reftel points regarding AFRICOM and left several copies of the new command's informational brochure (distributed via email from AF/PDPA). Kelaotswe was particularly interested in where the new command's headquarters would be located, and inquired whether there was any interest in putting an AFRICOM office in Botswana. He noted that there had been previous discussions between the US military and the GOB regarding possible locations on the continent for an AFRICOM headquarters. Pol-Econ Chief explained that the current AFRICOM headquarters was in Stuttgart, Germany and would remain there for at least the next few years. She promised to pass the Ministry additional information about AFRICOM and its activities as appropriate. ¶2. (C) Comment: The Government of Botswana remains relatively interested in and open to the concept of AFRICOM. Embassy will continue to communicate regularly with the GOB about AFRICOM and seek avenues for increased security cooperation between the USG and GOB. End Comment. GONZALES