(S) ALTERNATE PARKING FOR USG AIRCRAFT IN BURKINA

S E C R E T OUAGADOUGOU 000574


NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PMIL PGOV PTER UV
SUBJECT: (S) ALTERNATE PARKING FOR USG AIRCRAFT IN BURKINA
FASO

REF: OUAGADOUGOU 0506


Classified By: Classified by Samuel C. Laeuchli, Charge d,Affaires,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Summary. Burkina Faso,s Minister of Defense has
indicated his support for U.S. aircraft to remain at the
airbase in Ouagadougou in an area slightly removed from their
present location. This would meet Burkina Faso,s objectives
to maintain discretion concerning the American presence while
at the same time permitting a more effective use of the base
by both U.S. and Burkinabe aircraft. End Summary.


2. (S/NF) During a one-on-one meeting July 16th, Burkina
Faso,s Minister of Defense, Yero Boly, told Charge that he
was pleased the United States had responded quickly to his
request as stated in reftel to find a more appropriate
parking area for the U.S. aircraft at the airbase in
Ouagadougou. He was particularly eager for a team to come
down from the Africa Command to discuss specific issues. The
Minister said that he had designated a point of contact who
would serve as a liaison for the team.


3. (S/NF) According to Boly, the present location of the
aircraft was in retrospect not an ideal choice in that it put
the U.S. aircraft in a section of the airfield that already
had too much traffic. The problem is not, he insisted, the
presence of the aircraft themselves. He also commented that
U.S. personnel were extremely discreet and did not attract
undue attention.


4. (S/NF) Boly proposed a specific area near the present
location to station our aircraft. He expressed a preference
that they be housed in temporary hangars similar to what is
being used now, because that would be discreet, clean and
easiest to protect. Charge explained that there was little
chance of building anything permanent because the United
States does not in any way want to give the impression of
"building a base." Nor, he added, did we want to draw
attention to the aircraft so as not to increase the risk of
terrorist attacks. Boly replied that this fit in well with
Burkina Faso,s thinking as well.


5. (S/NF) At the end of the discussion Charge reminded Boly
that the Minister had also suggested the possibility of
transferring the aircraft to Bobo Dioulasso (about 220 miles
away) during the previous conversation. Boly replied that
Bobo was a good airport, but has very little traffic, and the
U.S. planes and personnel would likely draw greater attention
there. However, he said that on a short term or emergency
basis, the U.S. could use Bobo Dioulasso, although it was
neither a long-term solution nor a substitute for the base in
Ouagadougou.


6. (S/NF) Comment. We believe that on this issue Boly speaks
for President Compaore. The bottom line appears to be that
we need to move the planes to a different section of the
airfield. It may take some effort and funding on our part to
make this happen, but we will need to do so to continue
unfettered access. If we do respond positively to the
Minister,s (and the President,s) request, then Burkina Faso
is likely to remain a willing host for the aircraft.


LAEUCHLI