A TRIP TO GAO HIGHLIGHTS MISSION OBJECTIVES

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BAMAKO 000686 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019 TAGS: MARR ML PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: A TRIP TO GAO HIGHLIGHTS MISSION OBJECTIVES REF: BAMAKO 538 Classified By: Political Counselor Peter Newman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 1.(SBU) Summary: On September 23, the Ambassador traveled to Gao to participate in the closing ceremony of a bilateral training (BILAT) exercise conducted by U.S. Army Special Forces alongside the Malian Army's Echelon Tactique Inter-Armes (ETIA) number one. Following the ceremony, the Ambassador discussed USG development programs with the Governor of Gao region, Colonel Kalifa Keita. The BILAT closing ceremony highlighted the importance of US-Mali cooperation in Mali's efforts to confront Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),while the meeting with Colonel Keita underscored once more that security assistance must be seen within the wider framework of achieving stability through economic development. End Summary. -------------- Training Exercises -------------- ¶2. (S) On September 23, the Ambassador traveled to Gao to Participate in the closing ceremony of a bilateral training exercise conducted by U.S. Army Special Forces alongside the Malian Army's Echelon Tactique Inter-Armes (ETIA) number one. In addition to various Malian representatives, the Ambassador was accompanied on the trip by the Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of France, as well as the French Defense and Police/Security Attaches to Mali. The Ambassador invited the French representatives to promote coordination between the two missions to demonstrate that the respective security assistance programs of France and the United States are complementary and reinforcing. ¶3. (S) The four week intensive training covered infantry techniques and tactics, patrol planning, ambushes and raids, advanced medical training, heavy weapons training, marksmanship, and officer development courses. The BILAT of ETIA number one, as well as the upcoming Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) of ETIA numbers four and six, are significant because, as reported reftel, the units being trained make up the special, self-supporting task forces established by the Malian Ministry of Defense to target Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Ministry of Defense plans are to have three ETIAs fully trained, operational, and ready to be deployed to northern Mali by December 1. The BILAT of ETIA number one and the JCETs for ETIA numbers four and six are a key component in the Ministry's plans to get those task forces in operational status. Asked for an assessment on the capabilities of the ETIA to combat AQIM, one American military officer associated with the training indicated that while the ETIA is far from meeting American military standards, the men of the ETIA will fight when asked, and have the basic levels of competence required to perform the tasks anticipated of them. -------------- A Meeting with the Governor -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Following the BILAT closing ceremony, the Ambassador met with the Governor of Gao Region, Colonel Kalifa Keita. Almost immediately, the Governor directed the conversation to the subject of development assistance, emphasizing that, while the people of Gao are grateful for U.S. security assistance, aid could not stop there but must include assistance in the economic realm. The Governor presented the Ambassador with a written list of three development projects in which he felt there was potential for U.S. involvement. Choosing one of these projects for illustration, the Governor discussed "irrigated perimeters" in agriculture, noting that although Burkina Faso and Mauritania had had great success in this irrigation technique, it has not been adequately utilized in Gao due to lack of funds for investment. ¶5. (SBU) The President of the Gao Regional Assembly, Mohamed Ould Idriss, was also present at the meeting, and expressed the view that both the Malian government and foreign donors have it within their power to diminish the influence of traffickers and terrorists through involvement in regional development. "If we don't occupy the terrain, the traffickers will occupy it," Idriss explained. This and the Governor's remarks were consistent with President ATT's long-standing emphasis on security and development being two sides of the same coin and his desire to see increased development activity in the North to consolidate and reinforce any security gains. ¶6. (U) The Ambassador began by noting that the United States BAMAKO 00000686 002 OF 002 is Mali's largest provider of bilateral aid. The Ambassador provided a brief overview of several USAID projects in the domains of education, agriculture, and health. She emphasized that USG assistance is focused on building capacity rather than providing direct infrastructure development. The Ambassador spoke of the fundamental link between development and security, noting that it is difficult to have one without the other. While welcoming all suggestions for further American assistance, the Ambassador emphasized that the Malian government must take ownership of the projects that the United States has undertaken. Citing as an example the multi-purpose building that the JCET team had refurbished on Gao's air base, the Ambassador alluded to the importance of the Malians taking responsibility for the maintenance of materials and projects initially provided by foreign aid. To this the Governor indicated his complete agreement, and undertook a personal commitment to ensure the multi-purpose building in Gao would be maintained. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. (U) The September 23 trip to Gao demonstrated clearly the range and appropriate focus of Embassy Bamako's mission objectives, and underscored the importance of viewing development and security efforts in Northern Mali as integrally linked and mutually reinforcing processes. As the Ambassador emphasized to Governor Keita, the United States is an active partner in both areas, and if the Malian government does what is within its power to build upon the assistance it is offering, both Malian and American interests in the region will be advanced. MILOVANOVIC