Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE485
2009-11-05 05:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:  

GABON AND SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: SECURITY DIALOGUE

Tags:  PGOV PREL MOPS GB STP 
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INFO LOG-00 EEB-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 ACQ-00 CIAE-00 INL-00 
 DODE-00 DOTE-00 DS-00 FAAE-00 UTED-00 VCI-00 H-00 
 TEDE-00 INR-00 L-00 MOFM-00 MOF-00 VCIE-00 DCP-00 
 NSAE-00 OIG-00 NIMA-00 PM-00 GIWI-00 SP-00 IRM-00 
 SSO-00 SS-00 FMP-00 PMB-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00 DRL-00 
 SAS-00 FA-00 GSWA-00 SWCI-00 PESU-00 SANA-00 /000W
 
R 050528Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1506
INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000485 


DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA AND PM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS GB STP
SUBJECT: GABON AND SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: SECURITY DIALOGUE
INFORMATION

REF: STATE 112900

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000485


DEPARTMENT FOR AF/RSA AND PM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS GB STP
SUBJECT: GABON AND SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE: SECURITY DIALOGUE
INFORMATION

REF: STATE 112900


1. Summary: The U.S. has a strong bilateral military cooperation
relationship with both Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. There are
no established bilateral security dialogues between the U.S. and
either country. Military and security cooperation is conducted
through daily interactions with our counterparts. Gabon and Sao
Tome and Principe participate in multi-lateral security cooperation
platforms, such as the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Exercise and the
Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC),which have
varying levels of U.S. commitment. End Summary.


2. The U.S. facilitates the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Exercise, named
OBANGAME, which brings together the navies of Central African
countries, to discuss security issues. Gabon and Sao Tome and
Principe are participants. These meetings are held at the working
level. The last dialogue took place in Douala, Cameroon in
September 2009 and the next meeting is in December 2009. U.S.
facilitation has helped to foster continued dialogue between the
neighboring countries which have wanted to work together but did not
have the forum. However, most of these countries are cash-strapped
and would not have been able to participate without outside support.
At the last meeting in Douala, participants described the dialogue
as frank and useful in terms of assessing military capabilities and
political will on the part of member country national governments to
support maritime security.


3. We also are in the process of formalizing our relationship with
CEEAC and its member states. A Presidential Determination signed on
September 7, 2009 concluded that furnishing defense articles and
defense services to CEEAC would strengthen the security of the
United States and promote world peace. Relevant U.S. embassies are
in the process of informing CEEAC (headquarters in Libreville) and
its member states, the first step in a multi-step process to
negotiate and conclude end-use, retransfer, and security agreements.
At this time, there has been no commitment of tangible U.S. support
for CEEAC.


REDDICK