Cablegate: Demarche Delivered: Amisom Force Generation

VZCZCXRO3416
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #1124 3581150
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231150Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5452
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS GABORONE 001124

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO SO BC
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: AMISOM FORCE GENERATION

REF: STATE 126421

1. (SBU) Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel demarche to Mr.
Tinar Lekuni, Deputy Director for African Affairs at
Botswana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on December 9. Mr.
Lekuni confirmed that the African Union Force Generation team
had visited Botswana in late November. He however could not
share details of what happened during their meetings in
Gaborone, as he did not attend them. Lekuni expressed his
appreciation for the information about U.S. logistical,
training, and equipment support to military units which are
committed to AMISOM. He promised to share this information
with the Director for African Affairs and Foreign Minister
Skelemani, but made no substantive response regarding
possible Botswana participation in AMISOM.

2. (SBU) The Chief of the Embassy's Office of Security
Cooperation (OSC) also delivered reftel demarche to
Lieutenant General T.H.C. Masire, Commander of the Botswana
Defence Forces, on December 15. General Masire also offered
no substantive response to the USG offer of support for
AMISOM units.
NOLAN

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