DATE=9/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S/SENEGAL (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-266356
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S military trainers have embarked on a new
program in Senegal aimed at bolstering the skills of
troops who take part in future peacekeeping missions.
From the Pentagon, V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida
reports.
TEXT: The two-month training project launched Monday
is aimed at teaching Senegalese military commanders
how to coordinate and support multiple units that
might be involved in future peacekeeping missions.
It is the first such so-called command-and-control
training under the three-year-old African Crisis
Response Initiative. That is a U-S project intended
to help African troops respond quickly and effectively
to peacekeeping and humanitarian relief contingencies.
Until now, U-S led training in several countries,
including Senegal, has focused on teaching soldiers
basic tactical tasks associated with peacekeeping
operations, like convoy escort and setting up
roadblocks.
The new training is focused on giving commanders the
capability to coordinate the activities of multiple
troop units and to provide these units with medical
and transport support as well as essential supplies.
Human rights training will also be included.
According to defense department officials, some 70 U-S
trainers are involved in the new effort in Senegal.
They will be working with some four hundred Senegalese
officers and soldiers. The initial training will take
place in Dakar.
/// REST OPT ///
Last week U-S military personnel completed the first
phase of a special training program with Nigerian
combat troops destined for eventual peacekeeping
service in Sierra Leone. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/KBK
11-Sep-2000 13:32 PM EDT (11-Sep-2000 1732 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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