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Events 2013

Statement by Ambassador Leonard

 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013
U.S. Embassy, Bamako
Mali’s future is at a critical juncture as Malian forces, supported by the French and other regional and international partners, fight for the unity of your country and the defeat of terrorist elements that threaten Malian culture and the security of the region.  The U.S. government fully supports both short and long-term international efforts to restore peace in Mali.  Let me share what assistance we are currently providing, and then move to the long-term solutions that need to be achieved.
The United States is actively supporting the African and French-led military intervention, both in this initial phase of hostilities and in the months to come. 
We are, first and foremost, working closely with the French to coordinate and strengthen information-sharing.  We are also providing daily logistical and transportation support for French troops and equipment.  Over the weekend, we began to provide in-air refueling for French airplanes, a significant benefit to the military operations that are underway.
We are also working with the neighboring countries to reinforce their borders and regional cooperation, so as to strengthen the region’s capacity to control the flow of arms and fighters.  At the same time that the French and Malian Armed Forces are engaging the enemy in the North, the United States is playing a significant role in the critical next phase of putting ECOWAS/AFISMA forces into place to secure the territories that are liberated.  We have already committed $8 million to the transport and training of African troops in Mali, including basic logistics support, and we are working to secure additional funding for this effort.  At the same time, more than 100 people in teams from the State Department’s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program are currently working with the militaries in various ECOWAS countries to identify their training and equipping needs, so as to ensure successful deployments in support of the international effort in Mali.
Finally, on a more personal level, Embassy staff is holding a blood drive later this week in support of the Malian army.
At the same time that the United States is supporting the security effort in Mali, we continue to promote a long-term political solution to the many crises in the country.  We strongly believe that an enduring military success is ultimately dependent on the existence of a strong and legitimate central government, able to undertake the long-term reconciliation and reconstruction efforts that will be critical in the days following the end of active hostilities. 
In that regard, we welcome the progress made in the development of a roadmap and look forward to the results of today’s meeting of the National Assembly.  A credible and realistic roadmap to elections in 2013 is an important next step for Mali as you reclaim both the unity of this country and a return to democracy.
We also support serious negotiations with the many ethnic groups in the North so as to ensure a lasting and positive solution to the complex social, political, and economic challenges in a region of the country that is vital to the stability of Mali.
I would like to end with a note about the importance of unity and reconciliation in this country.  Mali has long distinguished itself as a place of tolerance and ethnic harmony.  As such, it is more than troubling to see the reports by credible Human Rights organizations of possible exactions carried out against different ethnic groups.  I would encourage all Malians to work diligently to ensure that the unity and tolerance that has always defined Mali stays strong and true as you work through a difficult road ahead.   There can be no impunity for criminal acts, and there should be no tolerance for behavior that runs counter to Malian traditions.
I remain hopeful in that regard as we have seen the depth of Malian character in putting aside political self-interests since January 10 to support the fight for the integrity of their nation.  While Mali’s army, with international support, works to resolve the security crisis, it is critical for Mali’s citizens, civil society, and politicians to work together to resolve Mali’s political crisis.   Know that the United States government will continue to be a partner in both regards.

U.S. Embassy, Bamako

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Mali’s future is at a critical juncture as Malian forces, supported by the French and other regional and international partners, fight for the unity of your country and the defeat of terrorist elements that threaten Malian culture and the security of the region.  The U.S. government fully supports both short and long-term international efforts to restore peace in Mali.  Let me share what assistance we are currently providing, and then move to the long-term solutions that need to be achieved.

The United States is actively supporting the African and French-led military intervention, both in this initial phase of hostilities and in the months to come. We are, first and foremost, working closely with the French to coordinate and strengthen information-sharing.  We are also providing daily logistical and transportation support for French troops and equipment.  Over the weekend, we began to provide in-air refueling for French airplanes, a significant benefit to the military operations that are underway.

We are also working with the neighboring countries to reinforce their borders and regional cooperation, so as to strengthen the region’s capacity to control the flow of arms and fighters.  At the same time that the French and Malian Armed Forces are engaging the enemy in the North, the United States is playing a significant role in the critical next phase of putting ECOWAS/AFISMA forces into place to secure the territories that are liberated.  We have already committed $8 million to the transport and training of African troops in Mali, including basic logistics support, and we are working to secure additional funding for this effort.  At the same time, more than 100 people in teams from the State Department’s Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance (ACOTA) program are currently working with the militaries in various ECOWAS countries to identify their training and equipping needs, so as to ensure successful deployments in support of the international effort in Mali.


Finally, on a more personal level, Embassy staff is holding a blood drive later this week in support of the Malian army.

At the same time that the United States is supporting the security effort in Mali, we continue to promote a long-term political solution to the many crises in the country.  We strongly believe that an enduring military success is ultimately dependent on the existence of a strong and legitimate central government, able to undertake the long-term reconciliation and reconstruction efforts that will be critical in the days following the end of active hostilities. 

In that regard, we welcome the progress made in the development of a roadmap and look forward to the results of today’s meeting of the National Assembly.  A credible and realistic roadmap to elections in 2013 is an important next step for Mali as you reclaim both the unity of this country and a return to democracy.
We also support serious negotiations with the many ethnic groups in the North so as to ensure a lasting and positive solution to the complex social, political, and economic challenges in a region of the country that is vital to the stability of Mali.

I would like to end with a note about the importance of unity and reconciliation in this country.  Mali has long distinguished itself as a place of tolerance and ethnic harmony.  As such, it is more than troubling to see the reports by credible Human Rights organizations of possible exactions carried out against different ethnic groups.  I would encourage all Malians to work diligently to ensure that the unity and tolerance that has always defined Mali stays strong and true as you work through a difficult road ahead.   There can be no impunity for criminal acts, and there should be no tolerance for behavior that runs counter to Malian traditions.

I remain hopeful in that regard as we have seen the depth of Malian character in putting aside political self-interests since January 10 to support the fight for the integrity of their nation.  While Mali’s army, with international support, works to resolve the security crisis, it is critical for Mali’s citizens, civil society, and politicians to work together to resolve Mali’s political crisis.   Know that the United States government will continue to be a partner in both regards.