DATE=9/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/NIGERIA/MILITARY (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266227
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Nigeria, U-S military personnel have
completed the first phase of training on one of five
Nigerian combat battalions destined for peacekeeping
service in Sierra Leone. More from V-O-A
Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.
TEXT: Pentagon officials say the American personnel
have so far carried out instruction in basic tactics,
combat casualty care and human rights. The 17 U-S
trainers, in Nigeria for the past two weeks, will now
move on to work with another of the five battalions on
the same skills. Additional trainers - mainly members
of the U-S Special Forces -- will arrive shortly to
begin working with the same Nigerian units on light
infantry tactics and weapons skills.
Pentagon officials say the training plan also includes
the eventual distribution of equipment such as mortars
and machine guns as well as uniforms, medical supplies
and light vehicles.
The United States hopes the five Nigerian battalions,
each consisting of 650 to 800 men, will be ready for
deployment in Sierra Leone by next June or July.
However, a Defense Department official tells V-O-A the
training is being carried out to help the Nigerians
meet standards - not a deadline. This official says
the aim is to help develop a force that will be
effective in its peace enforcement mission - an
apparent reference to often-heard complaints that some
African peacekeeping units have been ineffective.
The multi-million dollar U-S train-and-equip program
is focused on Nigeria, seen by the Pentagon as the
preponderant military power in West Africa. However
there are plans for U-S trainers to eventually work
with Ghanaian troops and soldiers from an as-yet-
unnamed French-speaking West African nation. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/KBK
07-Sep-2000 12:10 PM EDT (07-Sep-2000 1610 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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