Cablegate: Guidance Request: Tanzania Requests Usg Assistance

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PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHDR #0710 2901654
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 161654Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7958
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA//J3
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000710

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AF/E FOR JLIDDLE; AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MOPS TZ CN
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE REQUEST: TANZANIA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE
TO COMPLETE REDEPLOYMENT FROM COMOROS

1. In a recent meeting with DATT, Tanzanian People's Defense
Forces (TPDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shimbo requested U.S.
assistance to redeploy 186 troops and equipment from Comoros
to Tanzania, at an estimated cost of USD 158,000. Embassy
supports this request and requests Department guidance (see
para 5).

2. Background: TPDF troops are in Comoros as part of the
African Union-led mission to restore constitutional
government on Anjouan. The TPDF contingent deployed in March
2008 via French military airlift, in advance of the Anjouan
operation. In April 2008, the U.S. provided financial
assistance to redeploy the majority of the TPDF contingent to
Tanzania. The U.S. used a contract air carrier to transport
TPDF soldiers and paid for fuel and daily operations cost for
the redeployment of the Tanzanian navy. 185 Tanzanian troops
and equipment remained in Comoros pending closure of the AU
mission.

3. According to Lt. Gen. Shimbo, the GOT has requested
through the African Union and the Government of Comoros that
the AU-led mission to the Comoros be declared over, to permit
redeployment of TPDF troops. He expected approval would not
be controversial and would occur in the near future.

4. Shimbo provided DATT with a cost estimate of USD 158,000
for the proposed redeployment. This would include sea
shipment of approximately 20 tons of material and air
transport of 186 personnel and arms, ammunition and fragile
items. NOTE: Embassy has capacity to execute a contract of
this size. End note.

5. Guidance request. Embassy supports the request for U.S.
funding to assist redeployment of the remaining TPDF
contingent to Tanzania. U.S. assistance for completion of
the redeployment would demonstrate our continued support for
the GOT's increasing role in regional and international
peacekeeping operations, including planned TPDF deployment to
Darfur as part of UNAMID and interest in supporting AMISOM.
ANDRE

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