REVIEWING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF GRM PKO CAPACITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L MAPUTO 001074 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO MARR MASS MZ SUBJECT: REVIEWING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT OF GRM PKO CAPACITY Classified By: Classified by Charge d'Affaires Todd C. Chapman, Reasons 1.4(b+d) ¶1. (SBU) On November 7, the Charge led an informal discussion in his residence with Ambassadors from Great Britain, Canada, Italy, France and Portugal, along with the defense attachE from Brazil and poloff from the South African mission to review the various military support programs each country maintains with Mozambique, with an eye towards supporting the GRM's stated interest in Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs). The DATT reviewed both USG plans for assistance and areas where like-minded Missions could provide assistance. Under ACOTA, the USG has provided $3 million in pre-deployment training for 1,213 officers, NCOs, and soldiers, plus a further $3.5 million in equipment. DoD has supported grants for 4 deployable kitchens totaling $300,000, and AFRICOM has provided $150,000 in specific PKO training. ¶2. (SBU) Great Britain has also provided concrete support in the form of construction of some infrastructure for a PKO base, along with equipment, vehicles and language training. The UK Ambassador also noted that the formal EU-GRM dialogue on November 13 is set to include a discussion of PKO support as well. Officials from the missions of Canada, France, Portugal, Brazil, and Italy also voiced interest in providing support to developing FADM PKO capacity, mostly in the form of training, with some indicating that existing bilateral training programs could be modified to support PKO capacity. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Embassy Maputo will continue to take advantage of high-level AFRICOM visits like the October participation of Major General Altshuler in the inauguration of the PKO Base in Moamba, and the December visit of Ambassador Mary Yates to highlight Washington's support of the GRM's desire to develop a PKO capacity. The December visit of ACOTA experts and an upcoming teleconference between the FADM and UNDPKO should also provide additional opportunities to help the FADM understand processes and requirements for Mozambique to carry out PKOs, while strengthening their political resolve to participate. At the same time, we will endeavor to assist the host nation harmonize donor nations' military assistance in order to support this objective. Embassy Maputo intends to convene another meeting of like-minded missions in early December which will include greater participation by Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) members beyond South Africa, including Botswana and Malawi as well as other missions like the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany. END COMMENT. Chapman