Cablegate: Mozambique - Fourth Iteration of Acota Training

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DE RUEHTO #0981 2191345
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R 071345Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5806
INFO RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
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UNCLAS E F T O MAPUTO 000981

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AF/S - HTREGER
AF/RSA/ACOTA - JSEVOLD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MZ
SUBJECT: Mozambique - Fourth Iteration of ACOTA Training

Refs: Maputo 271

Maputo 565

1. (SBU) Summary: The fourth iteration of ACOTA
peacekeeping training took place successfully July 17-
August 4. Mozambican military officials expressed
enthusiasm for the program and hope the USG will provide
additional training. Separately, Defense Minister Dai
emphasized to the Charge and DATT on August 7 the
importance he placed on continuation of the training and
provision of additional support. End Summary.

2. (U) Some 400 soldiers underwent ACOTA Peace Support
Operations Soldier Skills Training (PSOSST) at the
Mozambican military base in Boane, near Maputo, over July
17 - August 4. Also taking part were 28 members of
Mozambique's Special Forces. The PSOSST exercise was
preceded by a three-day "train the trainer" seminar
designed to enhance the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM)
instructor cadre's ability to conduct PSOSST with only
minimal assistance from ACOTA training staff.

3. (U) The training concluded with a "quadrant search"
exercise at sunrise, in which the entire FADM contingent
surrounded and searched the outskirts of a nearby village.
Village leaders had been informed several days beforehand
and provided several eager participants. According to the
two USG ACOTA instructors, FADM troops carried out the
exercise professionally and with enthusiasm, departing the
base shortly after 4 AM and reaching their positions well
ahead of time.

4. (U) Addressing the assembled soldiers on the parade
ground at the closing ceremony, a general from FADM?s
training department congratulated them for their successful
training and emphasized that Mozambique hoped to be able to
field peacekeeping units in the future. (Note - emboff
witnessed the closing ceremony. End note.) Speaking with
emboff afterwards, the general stressed that he and the
FADM high command hoped that further ACOTA training
assistance would be forthcoming.

5. (U) Comment: As mentioned in reftels, the GRM remains
very keen to continue receiving ACOTA training. With this
group, to date approximately 1,000 FADM soldiers have
received PKO instruction. The GRM would like further
refresher instruction for these trained soldiers since
their PKO skills are perishable over time, as well as more
training of others so that the FADM eventually has the
equivalent of three battalion-strength contingents (roughly
2,300 soldiers) to perform PKO duties. Additionally,
during a meeting with the new U.S. Defense Attache the FADM
officer responsible for PKO training expressed a desire to
conduct additional Command Post Exercises (CPX) in order to
maintain proficiency levels among officers and senior non
commissioned officers. End Comment.

6. (SBU) In an August 7 meeting to receive the new DATT,
Defense Minister Dai emphasized the importance the GRM
placed on continuation of the training. He also asked for
support for facilities to house FADM peacekeeping forces at
Moamba.

Dudley

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