MINURCAT SRSG SEEKS USG HELP ON TROOP COMMITMENTS,

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000592 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/C STATE FOR S/USSES STATE FOR IO/PSC - BROWN OSD FOR DASD HUDDLESTON NSC FOR GAVIN LONDON FOR POL - LORD PARIS FOR POL - BAIN AND KANEDA ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR AU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KPKO UN GH NP CD SUBJECT: MINURCAT SRSG SEEKS USG HELP ON TROOP COMMITMENTS, U.S. MLOS REF: A. NDJAMENA 511 ¶B. NDJAMENA 305 ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request -- See paras 6 and 7. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (SBU) SRSG Angelo, the head of the UN peacekeeping operation in Chad and CAR (MINURCAT),has asked for the USG's assistance on two issues of importance: -- Angelo seeks USG help in encouraging the governments of Ghana and Nepal to accelerate realize promised troop and equipment contributions; and -- Angelo also seeks USG assistance in ensuring/accelerating the deployment of additional U.S. military officers to serve on MINURCAT's staff. Improving MINURCAT's operational effectiveness as soon as possible is essential to the fulfillment of its mission under UNSC 1861 mandate. Embassy NDjamena fully supports both requests, for reasons made clear in reftels. END SUMMARY. -------------- TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT -------------- ¶3. (SBU) MINURCAT's operational effectiveness has been limited by inability of troop contrivbuting nations to deploy troops and equipment on schedule. MINURCAT's most pressing need right now is for the Ghanaians and Nepalese to step up their deployment schedules as rapidly as possible. -------------- U.S. MILITARY STAFF OFFICERS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) MINURCAT's general effectiveness will be enhanced by the rapid deployment of US military officers to its staff. MINURCAT,s request to the USG for six to eight staff officers for the peacekeeping operation has been outstanding for several months (ref B). It was our understanding that initial responses from USG agencies were positive, although MINURCAT has told us that it has received no word from the USG for some time, and does not know where the requests stand. -------------- RECOMMENDATION -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Improving MINURCAT's operational effectiveness as soon as possible is essential to the fulfillment of its mission under UNSC 1861 mandate. Embassy NDjamena fully supports both requests, for reasons made clear in reftels. -------------- ACTION REQUESTS -------------- ¶6. (SBU) That the Department request embassies Accra and Kathamandu to approach host governments to encourage them to ensure/accelerate their deployment of troops and equipmant, as promiosed. ¶7. (SBU) That the Department reach out to appropriate UN and DOD contacts to accelerate if possible the the deployment of U.S. military officers to be assigned to the peacekeeping operation staff. ¶8. (U) Minimize considered. NIGRO