U.S. Pushes Anti-Terrorism in Africa -WP

[Rose Siding]

Tuesday, July 26, 2005; Page A01

N'DJAMENA, Chad -- The U.S. military is embarking on a long-term push into Africa to counter what it considers growing inroads of al Qaeda and other terrorist networks in poor, lawless and predominantly Muslim expanses of the continent.

The Pentagon plans to train thousands of African troops in battalions equipped for extended desert and border operations, and to link the militaries of different countries with secure satellite communications. The initiative, with proposed funding of $500 million over seven years, covers Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia -- with the U.S. military eager to add Libya if relations improve.

The Pentagon is also assigning more military officers to U.S. embassies in the region, bolstering the gathering and sharing of intelligence, casing out austere landing strips for use in emergencies, and securing greater access and legal protections for U.S. troops through new bilateral agreements.

The thrust into Africa is vital to head off an infiltration by international terrorist groups, according to senior U.S. military, Pentagon and State Department officials. The groups are recruiting hundreds of members in Africa and Europe, attacking local governments and Western interests, and profiting from tribal smuggling routes to obtain arms, cash and hideouts, they say. Meanwhile, small groups of Islamic radicals are moving into Africa from Iraq, where Africans make up about a quarter of the foreign fighters, the officials say.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/25/AR2005072501801.html

[wookie294]

1. We'll be training future terrorists

The headline of this story should be "U.S. Pushes Terrorism in Africa."

[RoyGBiv]

2. Just fascinating ...

I wonder if ... no, it couldn't be possible could it? Surely, umm, not ...

The West Africa Gas Pipeline is mentioned in the Bush Energy Plan, not only as an investment spearheaded by a US company (ChevronTexaco), but as a potential source of natural gas exports: “ has provided technical assistance in support of a West Africa Power Pool and associated pipeline project involving a number of U.S. oil companies, and is providing assistance for the creation of a regional regulatory framework that will enable Ghana and Nigeria to become major exporters of natural gas and electricity.” The plan also indicates US Export-Import Bank participation in financing the project. (“Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America’s Future.”, Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group, May 2001.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/Chapter8.pdf

[MisterP]

3. Cheney will dine with the heads of cannibal armies, and Uganda,

Rwanda, and Burundi, whose armies sell cobalt and tantalum even though there are no deposits on those countries, will still be "on our side."

[Eugene]

4. Secure the Muslim world with soldiers and bases?

How about promoting stabilty through
economic development, fair trade, and
good governance?

[barbaraann]

5. This is why the BFEE made nice with Libya.

n/t

[barbaraann]

6. This is somehow tied to Wolfowitz's interest in Africa.

Is it just about resources? Any opinions?

[RoyGBiv]

7. See post #2 n/t