North Africa Reluctant to Host U.S. Command

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

North Africa Reluctant to Host U.S. Command
Algeria and Libya Reject Pentagon's AFRICOM Proposal; Morocco Signals Its Lack of Enthusiasm

By Craig Whitlock
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, June 24, 2007; Page A16

RABAT, Morocco -- A U.S. delegation seeking a home for a new military command in Africa got a chilly reception during a tour of the northern half of the continent this month, running into opposition even in countries that enjoy friendly relations with the Pentagon.

Algeria and Libya separately ruled out hosting the Defense Department's planned Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, and said they were firmly against any of their neighbors doing so either. U.S. diplomats said they were disappointed by the depth of opposition, given that the Bush administration has bolstered ties with both countries on security matters in recent years.

Morocco, which has been mentioned as a possible site for the new command and is one of the strongest U.S. allies in the region, didn't roll out the welcome mat, either. After the U.S. delegation visited Rabat, the capital, on June 11, the Moroccan foreign ministry strongly denied a claim by an opposition political party that the kingdom had already offered to host AFRICOM. A ministry statement called the claim "baseless information."

Rachid Tlemcani, a professor of political science at the University of Algiers, said the stern response from North African governments was a reflection of public opposition to U.S. policies in the predominantly Muslim region.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/23/AR2007062301318.html

[shanti]

1. and with good reason!

don't do it, africa!

[Xenotime]

2. Exactly. The last country that did it was invaded and occupied.

[bahrbearian]

3. when is our ruling elite going to get the message "bring the troops home"

I'm still waiting for my "peace dividend"

[HereSince1628]

4. You MISSED the peace dividend, it was the 90's stock market bubble

and a fair piece of the housing bubble.

Opportunity knocked but you had to be ready at the door with a fistful of dollars to take advantage of it.