AfriCom HQ in Germany for forseeable future

[unhappycamper]

AfriCom HQ in Germany for forseeable future
By Todd Pitman - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 19, 2008 23:26:28 EST

DAKAR, Senegal — The headquarters of the U.S. military’s nascent regional command for Africa will remain in Germany — not Africa — for now because of reservations on that continent over its creation, a spokesman for the command said Tuesday.

Vince Crawley, a Stuttgart, Germany-based spokesman for the military command known as AfriCom, told The Associated Press “the discussion of where we will place the headquarters has been so animated and apprehensive that it is getting in the way of our programs.”

The Defense Department created Africa Command last October to consolidate operations that had been split between three other regional commands, none of which had Africa as a primary focus. Several African countries, however — including Libya, Nigeria and South Africa — have expressed deep reservations about its creation, claiming it could signal an unwanted expansion of American military influence or turn Africa into another battleground in the global war on terrorism.

“The headquarters will be in Stuttgart for the foreseeable future,” Crawley said. “We want to build the command and show people what it is and what it is not. And when we are up and running fully, people will understand what it is and we can have discussions with sovereign governments whether it makes sense to do that in locations on the continent.”

AfriCom officials say the organization’s goals have been misunderstood and emphasize there are no plans to build new U.S. military bases in Africa. Though they concede U.S. interests will take priority, the increased focus on Africa will benefit both sides and pave the way for closer collaboration with African leaders, U.S. officials say.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_africomHQ_080219/



uhc comment: Looks like the invasion of Africa is slowing down.