Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU582
2009-12-08 10:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: BELGIAN MILITARY COOPERATION REDUCED

Tags:  MASS MARR PREL KPKO BN 
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VZCZCXRO0442
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHCO #0582 3421057
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 081057Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1213
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0640
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS COTONOU 000582 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/W ASHLEY STEWART
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL KPKO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: BELGIAN MILITARY COOPERATION REDUCED

UNCLAS COTONOU 000582

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/W ASHLEY STEWART
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL KPKO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: BELGIAN MILITARY COOPERATION REDUCED


1. (U) Poloff met Belgian military attache Georges Reinders on
November 17 to discuss recent reports that Belgium is ending
military cooperation with the Beninese Armed Forces. He explained
that a new government came to power in Brussels in January 2009, and
a new chief of defense was named on April 2. At that time, the
Belgians informed the Beninese that they would be reducing their
financial and material support for peacekeeping operations by June

2010.


2. (SBU) Currently the Belgian military provides significant
equipment to Beninese PKO forces in DR Congo and Cote d'Ivoire.
Equipment that was given or sold is not in question. However, much
equipment is on loan. Col. Reinders said that Belgium is hoping to
sell the equipment to Benin, but admitted that since they are likely
to give the Beninese most of the used equipment, the Beninese are
unlikely to pay for the remaining material.


3. (SBU) Col. Reinders said that the most difficult issue is .50
caliber machine guns mounted on M113 armored personnel vehicles on
loan to Beninese peacekeepers in the DR Congo and Cote d'Ivoire.
These weapons are subject to USG concurrence to be transferred (by
gift or sale) to the Beninese. If these weapons are not transferred
with the M113s, the equipment will not pass UN standards for
peacekeeping operations.


4. (U) In addition to changes in peacekeeping support, the Belgian
government has started billing Benin for continued equipment
maintenance and training, particularly for four helicopters which
were purchased from Italy by Belgium for the Beninese armed forces.
Until now, Belgium has maintained the helicopters while also
training pilots and maintenance engineers. While they are still
ready to offer technical support, they would like to see the
Beninese assume costs for these programs. Belgium plans to continue
their annual bilateral airborne training exercise and their biennial
regional exercise.

KNIGHT