Military

DATE=7/3/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PENTAGON / AFRICA PEACEKEEPING (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-277871

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Pentagon says it has made no final decision on whether to terminate U-S military support for peacekeeping training in Africa. More from V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida at the Pentagon.

TEXT: Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral Craig Quigley says U-S officials are constantly evaluating the effectiveness of American involvement in peacekeeping training in Africa.

But Admiral Quigley tells reporters the Pentagon is satisfied with the results of its involvement with various African battalions so far, despite what he characterizes as some minor, unspecified problems.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY ///

The battalions are more qualified, more professional and better able to carry out the peacekeeping duties that their nations signed them up to do when we're done than when we started, and by any yardstick that's a plus.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

The U-S military is providing both training and non-lethal equipment to several African nations - mainly those being deployed as peacekeepers in Sierra Leone.

Admiral Quigley says the training covers military skills as well as humanitarian issues. He says there is also an emphasis on civilian control over the military.

Despite his latest endorsement, it was Admiral Quigley who earlier this year indicated to V-O-A that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has a variety of concerns about the program, launched five years ago by the Clinton administration. Admiral Quigley said at the time this includes the question of whether some African countries may be using it to solve defense funding problems.

The admiral's comments coincided with an interview in which Secretary Rumsfeld was quoted as hinting he would end the multi-million dollar program. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH