By General William E. "Kip" Ward Foreign Press Center Roundtable
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Washington, DC,Oct 3, 2007 — On October 3, 2007, international reporters met with the new commander of United States Africa Command, General William E. "Kip" Ward, at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C., for a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
"The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent," Ward told reporters.
Planners want to integrate the Africa Command staff with other U.S. government agencies so that U.S. military efforts will amplify existing programs, Ward said. For example, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. program that provides development grants to countries that demonstrate stability and sound governance practices. Eight African nations have signed Millennium Challenge agreements worth more than $3 billion. Ward said Africa Command would hope to work with African partner nations to help them meet security and stability aspects of Millennium Challenge requirements.
Among Ward's other points:
AFRICOM will seek to do no harm. A guiding principle of the command will be to avoid disrupting existing programs.
AFRICOM will seek to add value to existing U.S. programs.
AFRICOM will seek to enable African solutions to African problems.
The press roundtable was Ward's first news conference since Africa Command began initial operations October 1.
Below is a transcript of Ward's press roundtable.
Participants:
General William E. "Kip" Ward
Foreign Press Center Roundtable · Washington, DC
Oct 3, 2007
Christopher Teal (Foreign Press Center): Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Christopher Teal with the Foreign Press Center. It is my great pleasure to have everyone here today. I'm glad everyone could make the time for this important event.
We have General Ward here, who if you have been following the news, is going to be our new commanding officer for Africa Command, and he is going to be based in Stuttgart for just a little while. And then during the process of figuring out what is going to happen with the African Command, he is sort of the man in charge of making it all happen, and so I wanted to have him, since he is here in town, have a little opportunity to speak with you, talk about some of the issues that he is going to face over the next course of his tenure and have you have some questions for him. So I think he is going to make some brief opening remarks; and I do not want to have a long introduction because I know you've got a tight schedule, and we only have time for a few rounds of questions; so without further ado, let me introduce General Ward.
General Ward: Well, thanks, Chris. I appreciate that. And again, each of you, it is nice to meet you, and thanks for taking some time to give me the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. And as I've said, I give thanks to Chris and the Foreign Press Center here for providing us this venue, which I think is a very, very important one.
I guess it goes without saying that I am incredibly honored to have been selected to lead the U.S.-African Command, and I think this is a good time for the establishment of the command. I think the economic, the security, political and social importance of the African continent in global affairs continues to grow, and history, culture, economic and geostrategic significance link the African continent to the United States and the establishment of the African Command further reinforces the U.S. commitment to our partners in Africa.
In my previous capacity as the deputy commander of the United States European Command, I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel excessively on the continent and also to meet with military and civilian leaders as we have enabled and performed our ongoing military-assistance activities to help enhance security and stability.
From my observations, I believe our assistance to existing and emerging African security institutions is most effective when it offers African solutions to African challenges.
Many African leaders and their collective organizations, such as the African Union, have made a commitment to work towards a safe and secure environment on the continent to promote effective development. The U.S.-European Command, the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Pacific Command all work towards a safe and secure environment and have made a commitment to promote that through effective development.
We have been working with the African military to enhance security on the continent through exercises, humanitarian programs, training events and support to peacekeeping operations. The success of most of this engagement stems from listening to and getting African perspectives to apply solutions to their stated needs and within our means. The creation of AFRICOM provides opportunities to the Department of Defense to harmonize efforts on the continent from across our governments, and especially with the Department of State, USAID (the Agency for International Development), and other agencies of the United States government.
Now, with the Department of State providing the policy lead for our activities and coupled with USAID, who has been working on the continent for decades, AFRICOM will utilize this experience by including members of these agencies within its structures.
AFRICOM recognizes the leading role of these U.S. government agencies for policy, diplomacy and development, and intends to draw upon their expertise in helping AFRICOM's efforts to ensure its harmonization with the activities of the other elements of our Government, as well as nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, private enterprise and our international partners.
AFRICOM will be a learning organization. The AFRICOM that exists today will evolve and will look different in the future as we gain better understanding through our work with others.
First, we will endeavor to do no harm. We will use as a guiding principle to do everything we can not to disrupt or confuse the execution of ongoing efforts in Africa, whether they are U.S. government efforts, international and nongovernmental humanitarian efforts, or ongoing activities by Africans. Our intent is to make as seamless as possible a transition from the three existing commands to a single unified command focused on activities in Africa. Success in our eyes includes earning our teammates' trust and confidence in who we are and what we are going to do.
Second, it is the intent of AFRICOM to add value to ongoing efforts on the continent. Working with our teammates and partners, we will focus on helping Africans build strong security structures that work for Africans. These security structures will include the military, police, border security, customs and other services that a nation requires to protect its citizens. AFRICOM's role can be seen in terms of the contribution to the stability, security, health and welfare of the nation, the regional institutions and the peoples of Africa.
Third, we believe that AFRICOM will enable African solutions to African challenges. Our goal is to build mutual trust, respect and confidence with our partners and our international friends. We intend to listen. We intend to invest time and effort to understand our mutual interests and needs. We will collaborate with our partners to find ways to help, primarily through ongoing military-to-military activities, training and exercises, but also by supporting other interagency efforts led by the U.S. Agency of International Development, the Department of State and other elements of our Government. The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing for their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent.
As I mentioned earlier, AFRICOM will be a learning organization that will evolve as necessary to meet its ongoing work. Our success and credibility on the continent will be reinforced by continuous and sustained engagement with African nations, and we will engage bilaterally, as well as regionally.
We understand that we need to listen and consult with those on the continent with whom we will be working. So thank you for this opportunity, and with that brief opening statement I will be happy to take some questions if you have any.
Christopher Teal: Again, if you could just remember to state your name and media organization, we'll go ahead and open the questions.
Charles?
Question: Charles [Smith?][inaudible] from News 24, South Africa. There was quite some controversy in Southern Africa, and the Southern Region leaders stated that they do not want AFRICOM there just about two months ago. Were you in contact with them, and did you follow up on that?
General Ward: I am aware of those comments. I have not been in contact. I would say that the work that is being done today, today, by three different commands on the continent, the European Command, the Central Command and to a degree the Pacific Command, is work that no one complains about. And so the creation of AFRICOM is not to do something that displaces all that work, but to cause the effort that we currently are engaged in to be better harmonized and, in fact, more effective in doing what Africans have already teamed with us in doing.
Question: [Inaudible] Algeria. It seems that the ministry of defense is having a hard time in [inaudible] around Africa. To my knowledge, many African countries have refused to have [inaudible] in Africa. How are you approaching this idea [inaudible]? AFRICOM will be starting very soon. You don't have any dates, you don't have any countries; but accepted the idea.
General Ward: The work in earnest to determine how AFRICOM will in fact conduct this work is just beginning. The notion of AFRICOM being an entity, an activity, with large bases on the continent, it's false. It's wrong. The construct is not that. The construct is such that the footprint that is sometimes referred to, of large bases being established on the continent of Africa, is just not the case.
Right now, the command, its headquarters will be located in Stuttgart to facilitate the transition of activities from US-European Command, who is currently there in Stuttgart, as well. At some point in time, there is a vision for moving the headquarters, or some pieces of the headquarters, to the continent. But all of those decisions, the consultations that will be done with Africans, that is work to be done, and so this speculation about all that is just not the case.
Question: Nigeria has refused to have AFRICOM. I mean, this is not a speculation; it is a confirmation. How are you going to approach this if Nigeria says no and all the neighboring countries, such as Mali and ...
General Ward: Well, I guess what I would say to that -- as far as I understand, there have been no negotiations with any nation for headquartering AFRICOM in any country, and so it is hard to respond to this when there is nothing occurring to my knowledge other than statements that I have read that refer to this. The point that I would say is that whatever occurs, it will be done in consultation with very deliberate discussions and understanding so that as we do what we do, we can continue to bring stability to the continent and not otherwise.
Question: Andrew Gray from Reuters.
General Ward: Hi, Andrew:
Question: General, do you feel ... have you being surprised by some of the reactions on the continent and ...? You talked about the impressions that people had of large bases and that kind of thing. Have you been surprised that there has not been a more positive reaction? Have you been surprised by some of the negative comments that you have heard on the continent?
General Ward: I guess I've seen probably more of a balance. I travel the continent now, and as I travel the continent, I hear a substantial number of positive reactions to this renewed focus on the part of the United States Department of Defense to harmonize its activities; and I think that as I have heard from various Africans, military as well as civilians, of the positive aspects of what we are attempting to do, that is in my mind's eye, a very good signal that this notion of being more cohesive in what we are currently doing makes sense to them. And so I am not surprised at this cross-mixing of the reaction. I think that as there is greater understanding available about what the command is and what it is not, that will even itself out to the point where many more will see that this is not something that's a negative development; in fact, it is a positive development to reinforce those things that we are currently doing on the continent to achieve better results and again, as I said, by doing the things that, quite frankly, Africans have asked us to do.
Christopher Teal: Okay.
Question: General, I understand AFRICOM is expected to grow from 120 personnel to about 800. Can you say when is this going to take place and who these personnel are likely going to be?
General Ward: The headquarters will, in fact, expand. Over what timeline would that occur? I can't say. Again, because as I have mentioned, the intent is to draw upon the expertise of others, and so it will be a mixture of uniformed military; it will include a very healthy mixture of civilians; and we are working with other agencies of our government to draw upon their expertise, as well, so that there isan interagency aspect of it, the command, as well. And so I think as the command matures, what you will see is a grouping of individuals that represent a wide range of governmental activity so that when we do things on the continent in a military way, those activities support, as well as complement, the activities of others that are working on the continent.
Again, the intent is to cause our military efforts to be harmonized with the efforts of others so that the work that we do is work that indeed brings value-added to the things that Africans have asked us to do collectively, and that will be I think best attained by close working relationships with all who do work on the continent.
Other government agencies, our international partners, nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, as well as our private enterprise, again, not to do their work; not to do their work, but to understand their work so that the things that we do to help Africans improve their stability support those efforts.
Question: [Inaudible] In Africa you have three areas, three key areas: North Africa -- Morocco, Algeria ... [inaudible] Then you have two [inaudible] ... Mali, Nigeria ... [inaudible] plotting rebellion. Few weeks ago, they shot against the American plane. Then you have Somalia, okay? Three areas, what do you think is the major threat: north, center or south?
General Ward: I think in each of those areas that you've described there, Guido, there is potential that they will have negative effects on their neighbors, as well as on the continent. I don't know if I would say one is more negative than the other. I think they are all issues, concerns that we must find ways working together to help resolve.
I think it is certainly the goal of the United States as I understand it to have stability in each of these regions, and to the degree that our policymakers work with other African leaders and organizations, both continental, as well as international organizations, to work towards solutions to those problem areas where our efforts can support and where those efforts are authorized by our policymakers, we look forward to helping to make a difference. I think it is a goal for all of us to envision a stable continent of Africa that can contribute to global peace, as well as global development for its people, and in today's world this globalized environment in which we live, that has implications for, indeed, the entire world.
So it is in the best interest of us all to have stability in those regions so that the suffering that people experience can be reduced, minimized as much as it can be, so that that then provides stability for all of us.
Question: Thank you. General, when you talk about AFRICOM will be a "learning organization", what do you mean by "learning organization"?
General Ward: The question was asked about who will these people be who come in to form the headquarters. In the traditional construct for our unified command, there are headquarters' elements with a lot of military enrolled across a range of activities. I mentioned that it is the vision for AFRICOM to be staffed by not just military members; to be staffed by others, other members of our government from the State Department. You may note that one of my senior deputies is not a uniformed person, although there is one; but the other is a senior State Department official who carries the same level of responsibility as a military deputy, a deputy to the Commander about civil-military activities. We would hope to bring in additional members of our government -- the Department of Treasury, the Department of Commerce -- so that as the Command is built, the work that is being done by others -- in many countries of Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a major, major activity -- but that requires certain things to be eligible for funding. We have stability, effective law-and-order sorts of things. How can we help nations achieve that level of stability so that they are eligible for these economic enhancements? We want to work together to bring good for the people of the countries and on the continent, and any notion otherwise is just not the case.
And so as we develop as an organization, bringing in these different individuals who help support the team, we will be trying something for the first time, and if we see that the results that we want to achieve aren't quite what we like, then we will do it a different way so that these results, the positive results that we look to achieve, are in fact being realized.
That is what I mean about an evolutionary construct. It will evolve, we will take the lessons. We will listen. We will listen. And when things are not achieving the results we would hope them to achieve, we will approach it from a different point of view, taking the advice, listening to our friends, to hopefully achieve better results in the collective work of us all in bringing stability.
I think when you look at what is it that we all want for the continent, we all want stability. And I think that's what we want to towards in a way -- and, again, not to do the work of others, so that we understand that work better and can complement it in a greater way as opposed to not.
Question: Some people say that AFRICOM is a counterstrategy by the United States for the Chinese role in Africa. You know, they are everywhere these days, from Sudan to Zimbabwe, getting involved in Zimbabwe in some areas. Is that so? And how can AFRICOM help the new hybrid force in Darfur to do its job?
General Ward: Well, I don't know if I am qualified to address the role of the Chinese and what they are doing on the continent. I can't control that, and so I would not endeavor to. That's for, obviously, for you to ask the Chinese more so than [me].
But what I will say is, Africa is a large, large continent. If those who are engaged in activities onthe continent, to include the Chinese, look to have the best interests of the Africans in mind, in helping Africans live in stable environments where the treasures of their society can be used to provide for the peoples of Africa, then I think that's clearly what our goal is. And so where those efforts can be harmonized, let's do so.
It is important that we look at our work in a way such that it brings value-added to creating stability on the continent, and that is our goal and objective. That is the objective of the Department of Defense when it -- and again, not that it is looking to cause a wholesale difference in what goes on now; but to create a greater focus, a greater synergy of effort, and so that the work that is now being done by three separate Commands is now consolidated into a single Command, providing greater focus and hopefully greater cohesion of effort. But the potential for a misstep or some irregular approach that is not quite understood by our partners, those efforts are reduced.
And we think this construct will enable us to be more effective in delivering services and delivering support on the continent.
As it pertains to your question on the specific situation in Darfur, I think it is, as we have done in the past in my current capacity at U.S.-European Command, providing airlift support to moving of peacekeepers there. We will clearly be involved in ways that can assist that effort; and again, as I mentioned, to the degree that our policy supports that and our decision-makers authorize and direct U.S. military involvement, those are the sorts of things that we see as ways to assist in those efforts in bringing peace to Darfur.
Christopher Teal: I think we have time maybe just for one more brief question. I think maybe, Andrew, you've not gotten a chance. You're the one.
Question: Could you possibly give us some concrete examples of areas where you think things haven't been as cohesive as they could be in the past? I mean, a question I've asked a lot of different people is, what does this mean concretely for Africans so they notice a difference in their daily lives and their interaction with America? What has not worked so well in the past? What will get better for them as a result of the creation of your command?
General Ward: I think as opposed to concrete examples of where it hasn't worked, I think it is probably more easily seen where a more coordinated effort will bring a better result, and I will give you an example of that.
Right now, as we look forward to creating what we call the African Partnership Station, an activity whereby in combination with the nations of West Africa in this particular case, but eventually more of the continent, we will work to bring ashore an enhancement to the maritime security of some of the littoral nations.
Now, in so doing, we can also work with helping some of those military structures have a better appreciation for the role of military in a civil society, having militaries that are responsive to legitimate civilian leadership and having militaries that are guarantors of freedom and peace in the society, as opposed to being otherwise for their people.
You combine that effort in a single program, as opposed to having various individuals come in to try to do the same thing, but at different times, maybe not in a coordinated or cohesive fashion or way. And so the creation of the command will provide, I think, a structure whereby those who want to operate in a particular country or region -- and again, not to develop policy, but to carry on things that have already been determined as a way ahead jointly by those who would provide some assistance, as well as those who would receive it, i.e. the Africans, where that benefit and assistance can be delivered in a more effective manner, and I think that's the point: a more coordinated approach to the delivery of services, of assistance, that has been requested by Africans.
Question: [Crosstalk]
Christopher Teal: Well, I know the general has a lot of other meetings to attend today, and I really regret it.
General Ward: I am going to give you -- yes.
Question: Thank you, General. Just speaking of AFRICOM, which sounds to be an excellent idea for all African continents; however, with the American presence in Iraq and what has caused today with the operation of al-Qaeda, would you expect a similar situation in Africa?
General Ward: Our work is to be supportive of African governments who have said that they do not want to have within their borders these extreme activities that bring disruption and instability to their society. And I think to the degree that we have done that in the past, which we have, this will help us be more effective in delivering that support and assistance to African Governments who have said that that type of extremism is something that they nor their people desire.
And also, I will hear you. You wanted one more point of clarification?
Question: I just want a very quick clarification. When you were talking about Darfur, did you say clearly AFRICOM would be involved in transporting African peacekeepers, and they are looking at the peacekeepers around the country?
General Ward: No, no. What I said was, as we have in the past when I was with EUCOM, when decisions have been made by our policymakers to provide support, we then, just as we did, provided airlift support to peacekeepers going to Darfur, that would be the case. If that comes again and we are asked to do so, then we will hope to be able to provide through the means available that same type of support.
Christopher Teal: Thank you very much, everyone. We appreciate your coming.
General Ward: Okay. Thanks very much.
[END TRANSCRIPT]On October 3, 2007, international reporters met with the new commander of United States Africa Command, General William E. "Kip" Ward, at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C., for a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
"The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent," Ward told reporters.
Planners want to integrate the Africa Command staff with other U.S. government agencies so that U.S. military efforts will amplify existing programs, Ward said. For example, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. program that provides development grants to countries that demonstrate stability and sound governance practices. Eight African nations have signed Millennium Challenge agreements worth more than $3 billion. Ward said Africa Command would hope to work with African partner nations to help them meet security and stability aspects of Millennium Challenge requirements.
Among Ward's other points:
AFRICOM will seek to do no harm. A guiding principle of the command will be to avoid disrupting existing programs.
AFRICOM will seek to add value to existing U.S. programs.
AFRICOM will seek to enable African solutions to African problems.
The press roundtable was Ward's first news conference since Africa Command began initial operations October 1.
Below is a transcript of Ward's press roundtable.
Participants:
General William E. "Kip" Ward
Foreign Press Center Roundtable · Washington, DC
Oct 3, 2007
Christopher Teal (Foreign Press Center): Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Christopher Teal with the Foreign Press Center. It is my great pleasure to have everyone here today. I'm glad everyone could make the time for this important event.
We have General Ward here, who if you have been following the news, is going to be our new commanding officer for Africa Command, and he is going to be based in Stuttgart for just a little while. And then during the process of figuring out what is going to happen with the African Command, he is sort of the man in charge of making it all happen, and so I wanted to have him, since he is here in town, have a little opportunity to speak with you, talk about some of the issues that he is going to face over the next course of his tenure and have you have some questions for him. So I think he is going to make some brief opening remarks; and I do not want to have a long introduction because I know you've got a tight schedule, and we only have time for a few rounds of questions; so without further ado, let me introduce General Ward.
General Ward: Well, thanks, Chris. I appreciate that. And again, each of you, it is nice to meet you, and thanks for taking some time to give me the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. And as I've said, I give thanks to Chris and the Foreign Press Center here for providing us this venue, which I think is a very, very important one.
I guess it goes without saying that I am incredibly honored to have been selected to lead the U.S.-African Command, and I think this is a good time for the establishment of the command. I think the economic, the security, political and social importance of the African continent in global affairs continues to grow, and history, culture, economic and geostrategic significance link the African continent to the United States and the establishment of the African Command further reinforces the U.S. commitment to our partners in Africa.
In my previous capacity as the deputy commander of the United States European Command, I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel excessively on the continent and also to meet with military and civilian leaders as we have enabled and performed our ongoing military-assistance activities to help enhance security and stability.
From my observations, I believe our assistance to existing and emerging African security institutions is most effective when it offers African solutions to African challenges.
Many African leaders and their collective organizations, such as the African Union, have made a commitment to work towards a safe and secure environment on the continent to promote effective development. The U.S.-European Command, the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Pacific Command all work towards a safe and secure environment and have made a commitment to promote that through effective development.
We have been working with the African military to enhance security on the continent through exercises, humanitarian programs, training events and support to peacekeeping operations. The success of most of this engagement stems from listening to and getting African perspectives to apply solutions to their stated needs and within our means. The creation of AFRICOM provides opportunities to the Department of Defense to harmonize efforts on the continent from across our governments, and especially with the Department of State, USAID (the Agency for International Development), and other agencies of the United States government.
Now, with the Department of State providing the policy lead for our activities and coupled with USAID, who has been working on the continent for decades, AFRICOM will utilize this experience by including members of these agencies within its structures.
AFRICOM recognizes the leading role of these U.S. government agencies for policy, diplomacy and development, and intends to draw upon their expertise in helping AFRICOM's efforts to ensure its harmonization with the activities of the other elements of our Government, as well as nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, private enterprise and our international partners.
AFRICOM will be a learning organization. The AFRICOM that exists today will evolve and will look different in the future as we gain better understanding through our work with others.
First, we will endeavor to do no harm. We will use as a guiding principle to do everything we can not to disrupt or confuse the execution of ongoing efforts in Africa, whether they are U.S. government efforts, international and nongovernmental humanitarian efforts, or ongoing activities by Africans. Our intent is to make as seamless as possible a transition from the three existing commands to a single unified command focused on activities in Africa. Success in our eyes includes earning our teammates' trust and confidence in who we are and what we are going to do.
Second, it is the intent of AFRICOM to add value to ongoing efforts on the continent. Working with our teammates and partners, we will focus on helping Africans build strong security structures that work for Africans. These security structures will include the military, police, border security, customs and other services that a nation requires to protect its citizens. AFRICOM's role can be seen in terms of the contribution to the stability, security, health and welfare of the nation, the regional institutions and the peoples of Africa.
Third, we believe that AFRICOM will enable African solutions to African challenges. Our goal is to build mutual trust, respect and confidence with our partners and our international friends. We intend to listen. We intend to invest time and effort to understand our mutual interests and needs. We will collaborate with our partners to find ways to help, primarily through ongoing military-to-military activities, training and exercises, but also by supporting other interagency efforts led by the U.S. Agency of International Development, the Department of State and other elements of our Government. The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing for their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent.
As I mentioned earlier, AFRICOM will be a learning organization that will evolve as necessary to meet its ongoing work. Our success and credibility on the continent will be reinforced by continuous and sustained engagement with African nations, and we will engage bilaterally, as well as regionally.
We understand that we need to listen and consult with those on the continent with whom we will be working. So thank you for this opportunity, and with that brief opening statement I will be happy to take some questions if you have any.
Christopher Teal: Again, if you could just remember to state your name and media organization, we'll go ahead and open the questions.
Charles?
Question: Charles [Smith?][inaudible] from News 24, South Africa. There was quite some controversy in Southern Africa, and the Southern Region leaders stated that they do not want AFRICOM there just about two months ago. Were you in contact with them, and did you follow up on that?
General Ward: I am aware of those comments. I have not been in contact. I would say that the work that is being done today, today, by three different commands on the continent, the European Command, the Central Command and to a degree the Pacific Command, is work that no one complains about. And so the creation of AFRICOM is not to do something that displaces all that work, but to cause the effort that we currently are engaged in to be better harmonized and, in fact, more effective in doing what Africans have already teamed with us in doing.
Question: [Inaudible] Algeria. It seems that the ministry of defense is having a hard time in [inaudible] around Africa. To my knowledge, many African countries have refused to have [inaudible] in Africa. How are you approaching this idea [inaudible]? AFRICOM will be starting very soon. You don't have any dates, you don't have any countries; but accepted the idea.
General Ward: The work in earnest to determine how AFRICOM will in fact conduct this work is just beginning. The notion of AFRICOM being an entity, an activity, with large bases on the continent, it's false. It's wrong. The construct is not that. The construct is such that the footprint that is sometimes referred to, of large bases being established on the continent of Africa, is just not the case.
Right now, the command, its headquarters will be located in Stuttgart to facilitate the transition of activities from US-European Command, who is currently there in Stuttgart, as well. At some point in time, there is a vision for moving the headquarters, or some pieces of the headquarters, to the continent. But all of those decisions, the consultations that will be done with Africans, that is work to be done, and so this speculation about all that is just not the case.
Question: Nigeria has refused to have AFRICOM. I mean, this is not a speculation; it is a confirmation. How are you going to approach this if Nigeria says no and all the neighboring countries, such as Mali and ...
General Ward: Well, I guess what I would say to that -- as far as I understand, there have been no negotiations with any nation for headquartering AFRICOM in any country, and so it is hard to respond to this when there is nothing occurring to my knowledge other than statements that I have read that refer to this. The point that I would say is that whatever occurs, it will be done in consultation with very deliberate discussions and understanding so that as we do what we do, we can continue to bring stability to the continent and not otherwise.
Question: Andrew Gray from Reuters.
General Ward: Hi, Andrew:
Question: General, do you feel ... have you being surprised by some of the reactions on the continent and ...? You talked about the impressions that people had of large bases and that kind of thing. Have you been surprised that there has not been a more positive reaction? Have you been surprised by some of the negative comments that you have heard on the continent?
General Ward: I guess I've seen probably more of a balance. I travel the continent now, and as I travel the continent, I hear a substantial number of positive reactions to this renewed focus on the part of the United States Department of Defense to harmonize its activities; and I think that as I have heard from various Africans, military as well as civilians, of the positive aspects of what we are attempting to do, that is in my mind's eye, a very good signal that this notion of being more cohesive in what we are currently doing makes sense to them. And so I am not surprised at this cross-mixing of the reaction. I think that as there is greater understanding available about what the command is and what it is not, that will even itself out to the point where many more will see that this is not something that's a negative development; in fact, it is a positive development to reinforce those things that we are currently doing on the continent to achieve better results and again, as I said, by doing the things that, quite frankly, Africans have asked us to do.
Christopher Teal: Okay.
Question: General, I understand AFRICOM is expected to grow from 120 personnel to about 800. Can you say when is this going to take place and who these personnel are likely going to be?
General Ward: The headquarters will, in fact, expand. Over what timeline would that occur? I can't say. Again, because as I have mentioned, the intent is to draw upon the expertise of others, and so it will be a mixture of uniformed military; it will include a very healthy mixture of civilians; and we are working with other agencies of our government to draw upon their expertise, as well, so that there isan interagency aspect of it, the command, as well. And so I think as the command matures, what you will see is a grouping of individuals that represent a wide range of governmental activity so that when we do things on the continent in a military way, those activities support, as well as complement, the activities of others that are working on the continent.
Again, the intent is to cause our military efforts to be harmonized with the efforts of others so that the work that we do is work that indeed brings value-added to the things that Africans have asked us to do collectively, and that will be I think best attained by close working relationships with all who do work on the continent.
Other government agencies, our international partners, nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, as well as our private enterprise, again, not to do their work; not to do their work, but to understand their work so that the things that we do to help Africans improve their stability support those efforts.
Question: [Inaudible] In Africa you have three areas, three key areas: North Africa -- Morocco, Algeria ... [inaudible] Then you have two [inaudible] ... Mali, Nigeria ... [inaudible] plotting rebellion. Few weeks ago, they shot against the American plane. Then you have Somalia, okay? Three areas, what do you think is the major threat: north, center or south?
General Ward: I think in each of those areas that you've described there, Guido, there is potential that they will have negative effects on their neighbors, as well as on the continent. I don't know if I would say one is more negative than the other. I think they are all issues, concerns that we must find ways working together to help resolve.
I think it is certainly the goal of the United States as I understand it to have stability in each of these regions, and to the degree that our policymakers work with other African leaders and organizations, both continental, as well as international organizations, to work towards solutions to those problem areas where our efforts can support and where those efforts are authorized by our policymakers, we look forward to helping to make a difference. I think it is a goal for all of us to envision a stable continent of Africa that can contribute to global peace, as well as global development for its people, and in today's world this globalized environment in which we live, that has implications for, indeed, the entire world.
So it is in the best interest of us all to have stability in those regions so that the suffering that people experience can be reduced, minimized as much as it can be, so that that then provides stability for all of us.
Question: Thank you. General, when you talk about AFRICOM will be a "learning organization", what do you mean by "learning organization"?
General Ward: The question was asked about who will these people be who come in to form the headquarters. In the traditional construct for our unified command, there are headquarters' elements with a lot of military enrolled across a range of activities. I mentioned that it is the vision for AFRICOM to be staffed by not just military members; to be staffed by others, other members of our government from the State Department. You may note that one of my senior deputies is not a uniformed person, although there is one; but the other is a senior State Department official who carries the same level of responsibility as a military deputy, a deputy to the Commander about civil-military activities. We would hope to bring in additional members of our government -- the Department of Treasury, the Department of Commerce -- so that as the Command is built, the work that is being done by others -- in many countries of Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a major, major activity -- but that requires certain things to be eligible for funding. We have stability, effective law-and-order sorts of things. How can we help nations achieve that level of stability so that they are eligible for these economic enhancements? We want to work together to bring good for the people of the countries and on the continent, and any notion otherwise is just not the case.
And so as we develop as an organization, bringing in these different individuals who help support the team, we will be trying something for the first time, and if we see that the results that we want to achieve aren't quite what we like, then we will do it a different way so that these results, the positive results that we look to achieve, are in fact being realized.
That is what I mean about an evolutionary construct. It will evolve, we will take the lessons. We will listen. We will listen. And when things are not achieving the results we would hope them to achieve, we will approach it from a different point of view, taking the advice, listening to our friends, to hopefully achieve better results in the collective work of us all in bringing stability.
I think when you look at what is it that we all want for the continent, we all want stability. And I think that's what we want to towards in a way -- and, again, not to do the work of others, so that we understand that work better and can complement it in a greater way as opposed to not.
Question: Some people say that AFRICOM is a counterstrategy by the United States for the Chinese role in Africa. You know, they are everywhere these days, from Sudan to Zimbabwe, getting involved in Zimbabwe in some areas. Is that so? And how can AFRICOM help the new hybrid force in Darfur to do its job?
General Ward: Well, I don't know if I am qualified to address the role of the Chinese and what they are doing on the continent. I can't control that, and so I would not endeavor to. That's for, obviously, for you to ask the Chinese more so than [me].
But what I will say is, Africa is a large, large continent. If those who are engaged in activities onthe continent, to include the Chinese, look to have the best interests of the Africans in mind, in helping Africans live in stable environments where the treasures of their society can be used to provide for the peoples of Africa, then I think that's clearly what our goal is. And so where those efforts can be harmonized, let's do so.
It is important that we look at our work in a way such that it brings value-added to creating stability on the continent, and that is our goal and objective. That is the objective of the Department of Defense when it -- and again, not that it is looking to cause a wholesale difference in what goes on now; but to create a greater focus, a greater synergy of effort, and so that the work that is now being done by three separate Commands is now consolidated into a single Command, providing greater focus and hopefully greater cohesion of effort. But the potential for a misstep or some irregular approach that is not quite understood by our partners, those efforts are reduced.
And we think this construct will enable us to be more effective in delivering services and delivering support on the continent.
As it pertains to your question on the specific situation in Darfur, I think it is, as we have done in the past in my current capacity at U.S.-European Command, providing airlift support to moving of peacekeepers there. We will clearly be involved in ways that can assist that effort; and again, as I mentioned, to the degree that our policy supports that and our decision-makers authorize and direct U.S. military involvement, those are the sorts of things that we see as ways to assist in those efforts in bringing peace to Darfur.
Christopher Teal: I think we have time maybe just for one more brief question. I think maybe, Andrew, you've not gotten a chance. You're the one.
Question: Could you possibly give us some concrete examples of areas where you think things haven't been as cohesive as they could be in the past? I mean, a question I've asked a lot of different people is, what does this mean concretely for Africans so they notice a difference in their daily lives and their interaction with America? What has not worked so well in the past? What will get better for them as a result of the creation of your command?
General Ward: I think as opposed to concrete examples of where it hasn't worked, I think it is probably more easily seen where a more coordinated effort will bring a better result, and I will give you an example of that.
Right now, as we look forward to creating what we call the African Partnership Station, an activity whereby in combination with the nations of West Africa in this particular case, but eventually more of the continent, we will work to bring ashore an enhancement to the maritime security of some of the littoral nations.
Now, in so doing, we can also work with helping some of those military structures have a better appreciation for the role of military in a civil society, having militaries that are responsive to legitimate civilian leadership and having militaries that are guarantors of freedom and peace in the society, as opposed to being otherwise for their people.
You combine that effort in a single program, as opposed to having various individuals come in to try to do the same thing, but at different times, maybe not in a coordinated or cohesive fashion or way. And so the creation of the command will provide, I think, a structure whereby those who want to operate in a particular country or region -- and again, not to develop policy, but to carry on things that have already been determined as a way ahead jointly by those who would provide some assistance, as well as those who would receive it, i.e. the Africans, where that benefit and assistance can be delivered in a more effective manner, and I think that's the point: a more coordinated approach to the delivery of services, of assistance, that has been requested by Africans.
Question: [Crosstalk]
Christopher Teal: Well, I know the general has a lot of other meetings to attend today, and I really regret it.
General Ward: I am going to give you -- yes.
Question: Thank you, General. Just speaking of AFRICOM, which sounds to be an excellent idea for all African continents; however, with the American presence in Iraq and what has caused today with the operation of al-Qaeda, would you expect a similar situation in Africa?
General Ward: Our work is to be supportive of African governments who have said that they do not want to have within their borders these extreme activities that bring disruption and instability to their society. And I think to the degree that we have done that in the past, which we have, this will help us be more effective in delivering that support and assistance to African Governments who have said that that type of extremism is something that they nor their people desire.
And also, I will hear you. You wanted one more point of clarification?
Question: I just want a very quick clarification. When you were talking about Darfur, did you say clearly AFRICOM would be involved in transporting African peacekeepers, and they are looking at the peacekeepers around the country?
General Ward: No, no. What I said was, as we have in the past when I was with EUCOM, when decisions have been made by our policymakers to provide support, we then, just as we did, provided airlift support to peacekeepers going to Darfur, that would be the case. If that comes again and we are asked to do so, then we will hope to be able to provide through the means available that same type of support.
Christopher Teal: Thank you very much, everyone. We appreciate your coming.
General Ward: Okay. Thanks very much.
[END TRANSCRIPT]On October 3, 2007, international reporters met with the new commander of United States Africa Command, General William E. "Kip" Ward, at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C., for a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
"The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent," Ward told reporters.
Planners want to integrate the Africa Command staff with other U.S. government agencies so that U.S. military efforts will amplify existing programs, Ward said. For example, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. program that provides development grants to countries that demonstrate stability and sound governance practices. Eight African nations have signed Millennium Challenge agreements worth more than $3 billion. Ward said Africa Command would hope to work with African partner nations to help them meet security and stability aspects of Millennium Challenge requirements.
Among Ward's other points:
AFRICOM will seek to do no harm. A guiding principle of the command will be to avoid disrupting existing programs.
AFRICOM will seek to add value to existing U.S. programs.
AFRICOM will seek to enable African solutions to African problems.
The press roundtable was Ward's first news conference since Africa Command began initial operations October 1.
Below is a transcript of Ward's press roundtable.
Participants:
General William E. "Kip" Ward
Foreign Press Center Roundtable · Washington, DC
Oct 3, 2007
Christopher Teal (Foreign Press Center): Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Christopher Teal with the Foreign Press Center. It is my great pleasure to have everyone here today. I'm glad everyone could make the time for this important event.
We have General Ward here, who if you have been following the news, is going to be our new commanding officer for Africa Command, and he is going to be based in Stuttgart for just a little while. And then during the process of figuring out what is going to happen with the African Command, he is sort of the man in charge of making it all happen, and so I wanted to have him, since he is here in town, have a little opportunity to speak with you, talk about some of the issues that he is going to face over the next course of his tenure and have you have some questions for him. So I think he is going to make some brief opening remarks; and I do not want to have a long introduction because I know you've got a tight schedule, and we only have time for a few rounds of questions; so without further ado, let me introduce General Ward.
General Ward: Well, thanks, Chris. I appreciate that. And again, each of you, it is nice to meet you, and thanks for taking some time to give me the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. And as I've said, I give thanks to Chris and the Foreign Press Center here for providing us this venue, which I think is a very, very important one.
I guess it goes without saying that I am incredibly honored to have been selected to lead the U.S.-African Command, and I think this is a good time for the establishment of the command. I think the economic, the security, political and social importance of the African continent in global affairs continues to grow, and history, culture, economic and geostrategic significance link the African continent to the United States and the establishment of the African Command further reinforces the U.S. commitment to our partners in Africa.
In my previous capacity as the deputy commander of the United States European Command, I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel excessively on the continent and also to meet with military and civilian leaders as we have enabled and performed our ongoing military-assistance activities to help enhance security and stability.
From my observations, I believe our assistance to existing and emerging African security institutions is most effective when it offers African solutions to African challenges.
Many African leaders and their collective organizations, such as the African Union, have made a commitment to work towards a safe and secure environment on the continent to promote effective development. The U.S.-European Command, the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Pacific Command all work towards a safe and secure environment and have made a commitment to promote that through effective development.
We have been working with the African military to enhance security on the continent through exercises, humanitarian programs, training events and support to peacekeeping operations. The success of most of this engagement stems from listening to and getting African perspectives to apply solutions to their stated needs and within our means. The creation of AFRICOM provides opportunities to the Department of Defense to harmonize efforts on the continent from across our governments, and especially with the Department of State, USAID (the Agency for International Development), and other agencies of the United States government.
Now, with the Department of State providing the policy lead for our activities and coupled with USAID, who has been working on the continent for decades, AFRICOM will utilize this experience by including members of these agencies within its structures.
AFRICOM recognizes the leading role of these U.S. government agencies for policy, diplomacy and development, and intends to draw upon their expertise in helping AFRICOM's efforts to ensure its harmonization with the activities of the other elements of our Government, as well as nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, private enterprise and our international partners.
AFRICOM will be a learning organization. The AFRICOM that exists today will evolve and will look different in the future as we gain better understanding through our work with others.
First, we will endeavor to do no harm. We will use as a guiding principle to do everything we can not to disrupt or confuse the execution of ongoing efforts in Africa, whether they are U.S. government efforts, international and nongovernmental humanitarian efforts, or ongoing activities by Africans. Our intent is to make as seamless as possible a transition from the three existing commands to a single unified command focused on activities in Africa. Success in our eyes includes earning our teammates' trust and confidence in who we are and what we are going to do.
Second, it is the intent of AFRICOM to add value to ongoing efforts on the continent. Working with our teammates and partners, we will focus on helping Africans build strong security structures that work for Africans. These security structures will include the military, police, border security, customs and other services that a nation requires to protect its citizens. AFRICOM's role can be seen in terms of the contribution to the stability, security, health and welfare of the nation, the regional institutions and the peoples of Africa.
Third, we believe that AFRICOM will enable African solutions to African challenges. Our goal is to build mutual trust, respect and confidence with our partners and our international friends. We intend to listen. We intend to invest time and effort to understand our mutual interests and needs. We will collaborate with our partners to find ways to help, primarily through ongoing military-to-military activities, training and exercises, but also by supporting other interagency efforts led by the U.S. Agency of International Development, the Department of State and other elements of our Government. The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing for their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent.
As I mentioned earlier, AFRICOM will be a learning organization that will evolve as necessary to meet its ongoing work. Our success and credibility on the continent will be reinforced by continuous and sustained engagement with African nations, and we will engage bilaterally, as well as regionally.
We understand that we need to listen and consult with those on the continent with whom we will be working. So thank you for this opportunity, and with that brief opening statement I will be happy to take some questions if you have any.
Christopher Teal: Again, if you could just remember to state your name and media organization, we'll go ahead and open the questions.
Charles?
Question: Charles [Smith?][inaudible] from News 24, South Africa. There was quite some controversy in Southern Africa, and the Southern Region leaders stated that they do not want AFRICOM there just about two months ago. Were you in contact with them, and did you follow up on that?
General Ward: I am aware of those comments. I have not been in contact. I would say that the work that is being done today, today, by three different commands on the continent, the European Command, the Central Command and to a degree the Pacific Command, is work that no one complains about. And so the creation of AFRICOM is not to do something that displaces all that work, but to cause the effort that we currently are engaged in to be better harmonized and, in fact, more effective in doing what Africans have already teamed with us in doing.
Question: [Inaudible] Algeria. It seems that the ministry of defense is having a hard time in [inaudible] around Africa. To my knowledge, many African countries have refused to have [inaudible] in Africa. How are you approaching this idea [inaudible]? AFRICOM will be starting very soon. You don't have any dates, you don't have any countries; but accepted the idea.
General Ward: The work in earnest to determine how AFRICOM will in fact conduct this work is just beginning. The notion of AFRICOM being an entity, an activity, with large bases on the continent, it's false. It's wrong. The construct is not that. The construct is such that the footprint that is sometimes referred to, of large bases being established on the continent of Africa, is just not the case.
Right now, the command, its headquarters will be located in Stuttgart to facilitate the transition of activities from US-European Command, who is currently there in Stuttgart, as well. At some point in time, there is a vision for moving the headquarters, or some pieces of the headquarters, to the continent. But all of those decisions, the consultations that will be done with Africans, that is work to be done, and so this speculation about all that is just not the case.
Question: Nigeria has refused to have AFRICOM. I mean, this is not a speculation; it is a confirmation. How are you going to approach this if Nigeria says no and all the neighboring countries, such as Mali and ...
General Ward: Well, I guess what I would say to that -- as far as I understand, there have been no negotiations with any nation for headquartering AFRICOM in any country, and so it is hard to respond to this when there is nothing occurring to my knowledge other than statements that I have read that refer to this. The point that I would say is that whatever occurs, it will be done in consultation with very deliberate discussions and understanding so that as we do what we do, we can continue to bring stability to the continent and not otherwise.
Question: Andrew Gray from Reuters.
General Ward: Hi, Andrew:
Question: General, do you feel ... have you being surprised by some of the reactions on the continent and ...? You talked about the impressions that people had of large bases and that kind of thing. Have you been surprised that there has not been a more positive reaction? Have you been surprised by some of the negative comments that you have heard on the continent?
General Ward: I guess I've seen probably more of a balance. I travel the continent now, and as I travel the continent, I hear a substantial number of positive reactions to this renewed focus on the part of the United States Department of Defense to harmonize its activities; and I think that as I have heard from various Africans, military as well as civilians, of the positive aspects of what we are attempting to do, that is in my mind's eye, a very good signal that this notion of being more cohesive in what we are currently doing makes sense to them. And so I am not surprised at this cross-mixing of the reaction. I think that as there is greater understanding available about what the command is and what it is not, that will even itself out to the point where many more will see that this is not something that's a negative development; in fact, it is a positive development to reinforce those things that we are currently doing on the continent to achieve better results and again, as I said, by doing the things that, quite frankly, Africans have asked us to do.
Christopher Teal: Okay.
Question: General, I understand AFRICOM is expected to grow from 120 personnel to about 800. Can you say when is this going to take place and who these personnel are likely going to be?
General Ward: The headquarters will, in fact, expand. Over what timeline would that occur? I can't say. Again, because as I have mentioned, the intent is to draw upon the expertise of others, and so it will be a mixture of uniformed military; it will include a very healthy mixture of civilians; and we are working with other agencies of our government to draw upon their expertise, as well, so that there isan interagency aspect of it, the command, as well. And so I think as the command matures, what you will see is a grouping of individuals that represent a wide range of governmental activity so that when we do things on the continent in a military way, those activities support, as well as complement, the activities of others that are working on the continent.
Again, the intent is to cause our military efforts to be harmonized with the efforts of others so that the work that we do is work that indeed brings value-added to the things that Africans have asked us to do collectively, and that will be I think best attained by close working relationships with all who do work on the continent.
Other government agencies, our international partners, nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, as well as our private enterprise, again, not to do their work; not to do their work, but to understand their work so that the things that we do to help Africans improve their stability support those efforts.
Question: [Inaudible] In Africa you have three areas, three key areas: North Africa -- Morocco, Algeria ... [inaudible] Then you have two [inaudible] ... Mali, Nigeria ... [inaudible] plotting rebellion. Few weeks ago, they shot against the American plane. Then you have Somalia, okay? Three areas, what do you think is the major threat: north, center or south?
General Ward: I think in each of those areas that you've described there, Guido, there is potential that they will have negative effects on their neighbors, as well as on the continent. I don't know if I would say one is more negative than the other. I think they are all issues, concerns that we must find ways working together to help resolve.
I think it is certainly the goal of the United States as I understand it to have stability in each of these regions, and to the degree that our policymakers work with other African leaders and organizations, both continental, as well as international organizations, to work towards solutions to those problem areas where our efforts can support and where those efforts are authorized by our policymakers, we look forward to helping to make a difference. I think it is a goal for all of us to envision a stable continent of Africa that can contribute to global peace, as well as global development for its people, and in today's world this globalized environment in which we live, that has implications for, indeed, the entire world.
So it is in the best interest of us all to have stability in those regions so that the suffering that people experience can be reduced, minimized as much as it can be, so that that then provides stability for all of us.
Question: Thank you. General, when you talk about AFRICOM will be a "learning organization", what do you mean by "learning organization"?
General Ward: The question was asked about who will these people be who come in to form the headquarters. In the traditional construct for our unified command, there are headquarters' elements with a lot of military enrolled across a range of activities. I mentioned that it is the vision for AFRICOM to be staffed by not just military members; to be staffed by others, other members of our government from the State Department. You may note that one of my senior deputies is not a uniformed person, although there is one; but the other is a senior State Department official who carries the same level of responsibility as a military deputy, a deputy to the Commander about civil-military activities. We would hope to bring in additional members of our government -- the Department of Treasury, the Department of Commerce -- so that as the Command is built, the work that is being done by others -- in many countries of Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a major, major activity -- but that requires certain things to be eligible for funding. We have stability, effective law-and-order sorts of things. How can we help nations achieve that level of stability so that they are eligible for these economic enhancements? We want to work together to bring good for the people of the countries and on the continent, and any notion otherwise is just not the case.
And so as we develop as an organization, bringing in these different individuals who help support the team, we will be trying something for the first time, and if we see that the results that we want to achieve aren't quite what we like, then we will do it a different way so that these results, the positive results that we look to achieve, are in fact being realized.
That is what I mean about an evolutionary construct. It will evolve, we will take the lessons. We will listen. We will listen. And when things are not achieving the results we would hope them to achieve, we will approach it from a different point of view, taking the advice, listening to our friends, to hopefully achieve better results in the collective work of us all in bringing stability.
I think when you look at what is it that we all want for the continent, we all want stability. And I think that's what we want to towards in a way -- and, again, not to do the work of others, so that we understand that work better and can complement it in a greater way as opposed to not.
Question: Some people say that AFRICOM is a counterstrategy by the United States for the Chinese role in Africa. You know, they are everywhere these days, from Sudan to Zimbabwe, getting involved in Zimbabwe in some areas. Is that so? And how can AFRICOM help the new hybrid force in Darfur to do its job?
General Ward: Well, I don't know if I am qualified to address the role of the Chinese and what they are doing on the continent. I can't control that, and so I would not endeavor to. That's for, obviously, for you to ask the Chinese more so than [me].
But what I will say is, Africa is a large, large continent. If those who are engaged in activities onthe continent, to include the Chinese, look to have the best interests of the Africans in mind, in helping Africans live in stable environments where the treasures of their society can be used to provide for the peoples of Africa, then I think that's clearly what our goal is. And so where those efforts can be harmonized, let's do so.
It is important that we look at our work in a way such that it brings value-added to creating stability on the continent, and that is our goal and objective. That is the objective of the Department of Defense when it -- and again, not that it is looking to cause a wholesale difference in what goes on now; but to create a greater focus, a greater synergy of effort, and so that the work that is now being done by three separate Commands is now consolidated into a single Command, providing greater focus and hopefully greater cohesion of effort. But the potential for a misstep or some irregular approach that is not quite understood by our partners, those efforts are reduced.
And we think this construct will enable us to be more effective in delivering services and delivering support on the continent.
As it pertains to your question on the specific situation in Darfur, I think it is, as we have done in the past in my current capacity at U.S.-European Command, providing airlift support to moving of peacekeepers there. We will clearly be involved in ways that can assist that effort; and again, as I mentioned, to the degree that our policy supports that and our decision-makers authorize and direct U.S. military involvement, those are the sorts of things that we see as ways to assist in those efforts in bringing peace to Darfur.
Christopher Teal: I think we have time maybe just for one more brief question. I think maybe, Andrew, you've not gotten a chance. You're the one.
Question: Could you possibly give us some concrete examples of areas where you think things haven't been as cohesive as they could be in the past? I mean, a question I've asked a lot of different people is, what does this mean concretely for Africans so they notice a difference in their daily lives and their interaction with America? What has not worked so well in the past? What will get better for them as a result of the creation of your command?
General Ward: I think as opposed to concrete examples of where it hasn't worked, I think it is probably more easily seen where a more coordinated effort will bring a better result, and I will give you an example of that.
Right now, as we look forward to creating what we call the African Partnership Station, an activity whereby in combination with the nations of West Africa in this particular case, but eventually more of the continent, we will work to bring ashore an enhancement to the maritime security of some of the littoral nations.
Now, in so doing, we can also work with helping some of those military structures have a better appreciation for the role of military in a civil society, having militaries that are responsive to legitimate civilian leadership and having militaries that are guarantors of freedom and peace in the society, as opposed to being otherwise for their people.
You combine that effort in a single program, as opposed to having various individuals come in to try to do the same thing, but at different times, maybe not in a coordinated or cohesive fashion or way. And so the creation of the command will provide, I think, a structure whereby those who want to operate in a particular country or region -- and again, not to develop policy, but to carry on things that have already been determined as a way ahead jointly by those who would provide some assistance, as well as those who would receive it, i.e. the Africans, where that benefit and assistance can be delivered in a more effective manner, and I think that's the point: a more coordinated approach to the delivery of services, of assistance, that has been requested by Africans.
Question: [Crosstalk]
Christopher Teal: Well, I know the general has a lot of other meetings to attend today, and I really regret it.
General Ward: I am going to give you -- yes.
Question: Thank you, General. Just speaking of AFRICOM, which sounds to be an excellent idea for all African continents; however, with the American presence in Iraq and what has caused today with the operation of al-Qaeda, would you expect a similar situation in Africa?
General Ward: Our work is to be supportive of African governments who have said that they do not want to have within their borders these extreme activities that bring disruption and instability to their society. And I think to the degree that we have done that in the past, which we have, this will help us be more effective in delivering that support and assistance to African Governments who have said that that type of extremism is something that they nor their people desire.
And also, I will hear you. You wanted one more point of clarification?
Question: I just want a very quick clarification. When you were talking about Darfur, did you say clearly AFRICOM would be involved in transporting African peacekeepers, and they are looking at the peacekeepers around the country?
General Ward: No, no. What I said was, as we have in the past when I was with EUCOM, when decisions have been made by our policymakers to provide support, we then, just as we did, provided airlift support to peacekeepers going to Darfur, that would be the case. If that comes again and we are asked to do so, then we will hope to be able to provide through the means available that same type of support.
Christopher Teal: Thank you very much, everyone. We appreciate your coming.
General Ward: Okay. Thanks very much.
[END TRANSCRIPT]On October 3, 2007, international reporters met with the new commander of United States Africa Command, General William E. "Kip" Ward, at the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C., for a 30-minute question-and-answer session.
"The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent," Ward told reporters.
Planners want to integrate the Africa Command staff with other U.S. government agencies so that U.S. military efforts will amplify existing programs, Ward said. For example, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a U.S. program that provides development grants to countries that demonstrate stability and sound governance practices. Eight African nations have signed Millennium Challenge agreements worth more than $3 billion. Ward said Africa Command would hope to work with African partner nations to help them meet security and stability aspects of Millennium Challenge requirements.
Among Ward's other points:
AFRICOM will seek to do no harm. A guiding principle of the command will be to avoid disrupting existing programs.
AFRICOM will seek to add value to existing U.S. programs.
AFRICOM will seek to enable African solutions to African problems.
The press roundtable was Ward's first news conference since Africa Command began initial operations October 1.
Below is a transcript of Ward's press roundtable.
Participants:
General William E. "Kip" Ward
Foreign Press Center Roundtable · Washington, DC
Oct 3, 2007
Christopher Teal (Foreign Press Center): Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Christopher Teal with the Foreign Press Center. It is my great pleasure to have everyone here today. I'm glad everyone could make the time for this important event.
We have General Ward here, who if you have been following the news, is going to be our new commanding officer for Africa Command, and he is going to be based in Stuttgart for just a little while. And then during the process of figuring out what is going to happen with the African Command, he is sort of the man in charge of making it all happen, and so I wanted to have him, since he is here in town, have a little opportunity to speak with you, talk about some of the issues that he is going to face over the next course of his tenure and have you have some questions for him. So I think he is going to make some brief opening remarks; and I do not want to have a long introduction because I know you've got a tight schedule, and we only have time for a few rounds of questions; so without further ado, let me introduce General Ward.
General Ward: Well, thanks, Chris. I appreciate that. And again, each of you, it is nice to meet you, and thanks for taking some time to give me the opportunity to speak to you this afternoon. And as I've said, I give thanks to Chris and the Foreign Press Center here for providing us this venue, which I think is a very, very important one.
I guess it goes without saying that I am incredibly honored to have been selected to lead the U.S.-African Command, and I think this is a good time for the establishment of the command. I think the economic, the security, political and social importance of the African continent in global affairs continues to grow, and history, culture, economic and geostrategic significance link the African continent to the United States and the establishment of the African Command further reinforces the U.S. commitment to our partners in Africa.
In my previous capacity as the deputy commander of the United States European Command, I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel excessively on the continent and also to meet with military and civilian leaders as we have enabled and performed our ongoing military-assistance activities to help enhance security and stability.
From my observations, I believe our assistance to existing and emerging African security institutions is most effective when it offers African solutions to African challenges.
Many African leaders and their collective organizations, such as the African Union, have made a commitment to work towards a safe and secure environment on the continent to promote effective development. The U.S.-European Command, the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Pacific Command all work towards a safe and secure environment and have made a commitment to promote that through effective development.
We have been working with the African military to enhance security on the continent through exercises, humanitarian programs, training events and support to peacekeeping operations. The success of most of this engagement stems from listening to and getting African perspectives to apply solutions to their stated needs and within our means. The creation of AFRICOM provides opportunities to the Department of Defense to harmonize efforts on the continent from across our governments, and especially with the Department of State, USAID (the Agency for International Development), and other agencies of the United States government.
Now, with the Department of State providing the policy lead for our activities and coupled with USAID, who has been working on the continent for decades, AFRICOM will utilize this experience by including members of these agencies within its structures.
AFRICOM recognizes the leading role of these U.S. government agencies for policy, diplomacy and development, and intends to draw upon their expertise in helping AFRICOM's efforts to ensure its harmonization with the activities of the other elements of our Government, as well as nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, private enterprise and our international partners.
AFRICOM will be a learning organization. The AFRICOM that exists today will evolve and will look different in the future as we gain better understanding through our work with others.
First, we will endeavor to do no harm. We will use as a guiding principle to do everything we can not to disrupt or confuse the execution of ongoing efforts in Africa, whether they are U.S. government efforts, international and nongovernmental humanitarian efforts, or ongoing activities by Africans. Our intent is to make as seamless as possible a transition from the three existing commands to a single unified command focused on activities in Africa. Success in our eyes includes earning our teammates' trust and confidence in who we are and what we are going to do.
Second, it is the intent of AFRICOM to add value to ongoing efforts on the continent. Working with our teammates and partners, we will focus on helping Africans build strong security structures that work for Africans. These security structures will include the military, police, border security, customs and other services that a nation requires to protect its citizens. AFRICOM's role can be seen in terms of the contribution to the stability, security, health and welfare of the nation, the regional institutions and the peoples of Africa.
Third, we believe that AFRICOM will enable African solutions to African challenges. Our goal is to build mutual trust, respect and confidence with our partners and our international friends. We intend to listen. We intend to invest time and effort to understand our mutual interests and needs. We will collaborate with our partners to find ways to help, primarily through ongoing military-to-military activities, training and exercises, but also by supporting other interagency efforts led by the U.S. Agency of International Development, the Department of State and other elements of our Government. The ultimate goal is to have the nations of Africa providing for their own security and able to export that security capability across the continent.
As I mentioned earlier, AFRICOM will be a learning organization that will evolve as necessary to meet its ongoing work. Our success and credibility on the continent will be reinforced by continuous and sustained engagement with African nations, and we will engage bilaterally, as well as regionally.
We understand that we need to listen and consult with those on the continent with whom we will be working. So thank you for this opportunity, and with that brief opening statement I will be happy to take some questions if you have any.
Christopher Teal: Again, if you could just remember to state your name and media organization, we'll go ahead and open the questions.
Charles?
Question: Charles [Smith?][inaudible] from News 24, South Africa. There was quite some controversy in Southern Africa, and the Southern Region leaders stated that they do not want AFRICOM there just about two months ago. Were you in contact with them, and did you follow up on that?
General Ward: I am aware of those comments. I have not been in contact. I would say that the work that is being done today, today, by three different commands on the continent, the European Command, the Central Command and to a degree the Pacific Command, is work that no one complains about. And so the creation of AFRICOM is not to do something that displaces all that work, but to cause the effort that we currently are engaged in to be better harmonized and, in fact, more effective in doing what Africans have already teamed with us in doing.
Question: [Inaudible] Algeria. It seems that the ministry of defense is having a hard time in [inaudible] around Africa. To my knowledge, many African countries have refused to have [inaudible] in Africa. How are you approaching this idea [inaudible]? AFRICOM will be starting very soon. You don't have any dates, you don't have any countries; but accepted the idea.
General Ward: The work in earnest to determine how AFRICOM will in fact conduct this work is just beginning. The notion of AFRICOM being an entity, an activity, with large bases on the continent, it's false. It's wrong. The construct is not that. The construct is such that the footprint that is sometimes referred to, of large bases being established on the continent of Africa, is just not the case.
Right now, the command, its headquarters will be located in Stuttgart to facilitate the transition of activities from US-European Command, who is currently there in Stuttgart, as well. At some point in time, there is a vision for moving the headquarters, or some pieces of the headquarters, to the continent. But all of those decisions, the consultations that will be done with Africans, that is work to be done, and so this speculation about all that is just not the case.
Question: Nigeria has refused to have AFRICOM. I mean, this is not a speculation; it is a confirmation. How are you going to approach this if Nigeria says no and all the neighboring countries, such as Mali and ...
General Ward: Well, I guess what I would say to that -- as far as I understand, there have been no negotiations with any nation for headquartering AFRICOM in any country, and so it is hard to respond to this when there is nothing occurring to my knowledge other than statements that I have read that refer to this. The point that I would say is that whatever occurs, it will be done in consultation with very deliberate discussions and understanding so that as we do what we do, we can continue to bring stability to the continent and not otherwise.
Question: Andrew Gray from Reuters.
General Ward: Hi, Andrew:
Question: General, do you feel ... have you being surprised by some of the reactions on the continent and ...? You talked about the impressions that people had of large bases and that kind of thing. Have you been surprised that there has not been a more positive reaction? Have you been surprised by some of the negative comments that you have heard on the continent?
General Ward: I guess I've seen probably more of a balance. I travel the continent now, and as I travel the continent, I hear a substantial number of positive reactions to this renewed focus on the part of the United States Department of Defense to harmonize its activities; and I think that as I have heard from various Africans, military as well as civilians, of the positive aspects of what we are attempting to do, that is in my mind's eye, a very good signal that this notion of being more cohesive in what we are currently doing makes sense to them. And so I am not surprised at this cross-mixing of the reaction. I think that as there is greater understanding available about what the command is and what it is not, that will even itself out to the point where many more will see that this is not something that's a negative development; in fact, it is a positive development to reinforce those things that we are currently doing on the continent to achieve better results and again, as I said, by doing the things that, quite frankly, Africans have asked us to do.
Christopher Teal: Okay.
Question: General, I understand AFRICOM is expected to grow from 120 personnel to about 800. Can you say when is this going to take place and who these personnel are likely going to be?
General Ward: The headquarters will, in fact, expand. Over what timeline would that occur? I can't say. Again, because as I have mentioned, the intent is to draw upon the expertise of others, and so it will be a mixture of uniformed military; it will include a very healthy mixture of civilians; and we are working with other agencies of our government to draw upon their expertise, as well, so that there isan interagency aspect of it, the command, as well. And so I think as the command matures, what you will see is a grouping of individuals that represent a wide range of governmental activity so that when we do things on the continent in a military way, those activities support, as well as complement, the activities of others that are working on the continent.
Again, the intent is to cause our military efforts to be harmonized with the efforts of others so that the work that we do is work that indeed brings value-added to the things that Africans have asked us to do collectively, and that will be I think best attained by close working relationships with all who do work on the continent.
Other government agencies, our international partners, nongovernmental humanitarian organizations, as well as our private enterprise, again, not to do their work; not to do their work, but to understand their work so that the things that we do to help Africans improve their stability support those efforts.
Question: [Inaudible] In Africa you have three areas, three key areas: North Africa -- Morocco, Algeria ... [inaudible] Then you have two [inaudible] ... Mali, Nigeria ... [inaudible] plotting rebellion. Few weeks ago, they shot against the American plane. Then you have Somalia, okay? Three areas, what do you think is the major threat: north, center or south?
General Ward: I think in each of those areas that you've described there, Guido, there is potential that they will have negative effects on their neighbors, as well as on the continent. I don't know if I would say one is more negative than the other. I think they are all issues, concerns that we must find ways working together to help resolve.
I think it is certainly the goal of the United States as I understand it to have stability in each of these regions, and to the degree that our policymakers work with other African leaders and organizations, both continental, as well as international organizations, to work towards solutions to those problem areas where our efforts can support and where those efforts are authorized by our policymakers, we look forward to helping to make a difference. I think it is a goal for all of us to envision a stable continent of Africa that can contribute to global peace, as well as global development for its people, and in today's world this globalized environment in which we live, that has implications for, indeed, the entire world.
So it is in the best interest of us all to have stability in those regions so that the suffering that people experience can be reduced, minimized as much as it can be, so that that then provides stability for all of us.
Question: Thank you. General, when you talk about AFRICOM will be a "learning organization", what do you mean by "learning organization"?
General Ward: The question was asked about who will these people be who come in to form the headquarters. In the traditional construct for our unified command, there are headquarters' elements with a lot of military enrolled across a range of activities. I mentioned that it is the vision for AFRICOM to be staffed by not just military members; to be staffed by others, other members of our government from the State Department. You may note that one of my senior deputies is not a uniformed person, although there is one; but the other is a senior State Department official who carries the same level of responsibility as a military deputy, a deputy to the Commander about civil-military activities. We would hope to bring in additional members of our government -- the Department of Treasury, the Department of Commerce -- so that as the Command is built, the work that is being done by others -- in many countries of Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation is a major, major activity -- but that requires certain things to be eligible for funding. We have stability, effective law-and-order sorts of things. How can we help nations achieve that level of stability so that they are eligible for these economic enhancements? We want to work together to bring good for the people of the countries and on the continent, and any notion otherwise is just not the case.
And so as we develop as an organization, bringing in these different individuals who help support the team, we will be trying something for the first time, and if we see that the results that we want to achieve aren't quite what we like, then we will do it a different way so that these results, the positive results that we look to achieve, are in fact being realized.
That is what I mean about an evolutionary construct. It will evolve, we will take the lessons. We will listen. We will listen. And when things are not achieving the results we would hope them to achieve, we will approach it from a different point of view, taking the advice, listening to our friends, to hopefully achieve better results in the collective work of us all in bringing stability.
I think when you look at what is it that we all want for the continent, we all want stability. And I think that's what we want to towards in a way -- and, again, not to do the work of others, so that we understand that work better and can complement it in a greater way as opposed to not.
Question: Some people say that AFRICOM is a counterstrategy by the United States for the Chinese role in Africa. You know, they are everywhere these days, from Sudan to Zimbabwe, getting involved in Zimbabwe in some areas. Is that so? And how can AFRICOM help the new hybrid force in Darfur to do its job?
General Ward: Well, I don't know if I am qualified to address the role of the Chinese and what they are doing on the continent. I can't control that, and so I would not endeavor to. That's for, obviously, for you to ask the Chinese more so than [me].
But what I will say is, Africa is a large, large continent. If those who are engaged in activities onthe continent, to include the Chinese, look to have the best interests of the Africans in mind, in helping Africans live in stable environments where the treasures of their society can be used to provide for the peoples of Africa, then I think that's clearly what our goal is. And so where those efforts can be harmonized, let's do so.
It is important that we look at our work in a way such that it brings value-added to creating stability on the continent, and that is our goal and objective. That is the objective of the Department of Defense when it -- and again, not that it is looking to cause a wholesale difference in what goes on now; but to create a greater focus, a greater synergy of effort, and so that the work that is now being done by three separate Commands is now consolidated into a single Command, providing greater focus and hopefully greater cohesion of effort. But the potential for a misstep or some irregular approach that is not quite understood by our partners, those efforts are reduced.
And we think this construct will enable us to be more effective in delivering services and delivering support on the continent.
As it pertains to your question on the specific situation in Darfur, I think it is, as we have done in the past in my current capacity at U.S.-European Command, providing airlift support to moving of peacekeepers there. We will clearly be involved in ways that can assist that effort; and again, as I mentioned, to the degree that our policy supports that and our decision-makers authorize and direct U.S. military involvement, those are the sorts of things that we see as ways to assist in those efforts in bringing peace to Darfur.
Christopher Teal: I think we have time maybe just for one more brief question. I think maybe, Andrew, you've not gotten a chance. You're the one.
Question: Could you possibly give us some concrete examples of areas where you think things haven't been as cohesive as they could be in the past? I mean, a question I've asked a lot of different people is, what does this mean concretely for Africans so they notice a difference in their daily lives and their interaction with America? What has not worked so well in the past? What will get better for them as a result of the creation of your command?
General Ward: I think as opposed to concrete examples of where it hasn't worked, I think it is probably more easily seen where a more coordinated effort will bring a better result, and I will give you an example of that.
Right now, as we look forward to creating what we call the African Partnership Station, an activity whereby in combination with the nations of West Africa in this particular case, but eventually more of the continent, we will work to bring ashore an enhancement to the maritime security of some of the littoral nations.
Now, in so doing, we can also work with helping some of those military structures have a better appreciation for the role of military in a civil society, having militaries that are responsive to legitimate civilian leadership and having militaries that are guarantors of freedom and peace in the society, as opposed to being otherwise for their people.
You combine that effort in a single program, as opposed to having various individuals come in to try to do the same thing, but at different times, maybe not in a coordinated or cohesive fashion or way. And so the creation of the command will provide, I think, a structure whereby those who want to operate in a particular country or region -- and again, not to develop policy, but to carry on things that have already been determined as a way ahead jointly by those who would provide some assistance, as well as those who would receive it, i.e. the Africans, where that benefit and assistance can be delivered in a more effective manner, and I think that's the point: a more coordinated approach to the delivery of services, of assistance, that has been requested by Africans.
Question: [Crosstalk]
Christopher Teal: Well, I know the general has a lot of other meetings to attend today, and I really regret it.
General Ward: I am going to give you -- yes.
Question: Thank you, General. Just speaking of AFRICOM, which sounds to be an excellent idea for all African continents; however, with the American presence in Iraq and what has caused today with the operation of al-Qaeda, would you expect a similar situation in Africa?
General Ward: Our work is to be supportive of African governments who have said that they do not want to have within their borders these extreme activities that bring disruption and instability to their society. And I think to the degree that we have done that in the past, which we have, this will help us be more effective in delivering that support and assistance to African Governments who have said that that type of extremism is something that they nor their people desire.
And also, I will hear you. You wanted one more point of clarification?
Question: I just want a very quick clarification. When you were talking about Darfur, did you say clearly AFRICOM would be involved in transporting African peacekeepers, and they are looking at the peacekeepers around the country?
General Ward: No, no. What I said was, as we have in the past when I was with EUCOM, when decisions have been made by our policymakers to provide support, we then, just as we did, provided airlift support to peacekeepers going to Darfur, that would be the case. If that comes again and we are asked to do so, then we will hope to be able to provide through the means available that same type of support.
Christopher Teal: Thank you very much, everyone. We appreciate your coming.
General Ward: Okay. Thanks very much.
[END TRANSCRIPT]
On 1/5/2008 10:33:31 PM, Anoymous in Unspecified said: General Ward, AFRICOM Commander was saying that, I quote AFRICOM will seek to enable African solutions to African problems . we all know that National Security is the responsibility of the State concerned. But there are states that cannot guarantee their own security and this situation may allow threat on other nations to avoid that they may go into voluntary defense alliance with a more powerful state for protection. In most cases, if not all, the problem of threat in Africa is an internal one. External aggressions from conventional armies are practically rare on the continent Insecurity in Africa stems from internal contradictions: poverty, corruption, autocracy etc, I don't see how a conventional defense force like AFRICOM can intervene in African conflicts without the direct involvement of African national forces. AFRICOM can envisage its mission as a logistics and training provider. Not an interventionist force. The command of AFRICOM should be shared between the US and AU.
From LTC David Knellinger on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM "The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..." (Read Full Entry)
From Brigadier General Stayce Harris on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM "The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander.
Over the past 2 years, I have had the..." (Read Full Entry)
Paul in UK wrote on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM "I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..." (Read Full Entry)
Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM "False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..." (Read Full Entry)
Anonymous in Unspecified wrote on 8/21/2012 10:06:10 PM "Glad to see this, and would love to see more. It's about time we start calling out publications that feel free to write whatever they want based on rumors and myths and not fac..." (Read Full Entry)
Anonymous in Unspecified wrote on 8/21/2012 10:03:43 PM "Congratulations for calling Ethiopian Review on the carpet. The contributor who stated that the clarification was not warranted is clearly very near sighted. It is exactly those so..." (Read Full Entry)
Anonymous in Unspecified wrote on 8/21/2012 3:48:08 AM "The right and accurate response,I am glad you did not give any loopholes to this lameduck, extereme and toxic elements who do not represent the sielent diaspora majority,create and..." (Read Full Entry)
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AFRICOM History, Background
