US military's Africa command alarms aid workers

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

US military's Africa command alarms aid workers
13 Dec 2007 11:05:15 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Andrew Gray

WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Mary Yates is
deputy to the commander of the U.S. military's new
Africa Command. But she has no stars on her shoulder
and does not wear a uniform.

Yates is a career diplomat who has served as U.S.
ambassador to Ghana and Burundi. Her appointment
symbolizes the military's effort to make its newest
command very different from the others and a possible
model for the future.

The command, responsible for U.S. military operations
in Africa, will include more diplomats, aid experts and
other civilians than headquarters for other parts of
the world. And they will be integral to the organization,
not just advisers.

-snip-

But the structure has alarmed aid agencies, who see
the military encroaching into traditionally civilian areas
such as aid work and economic development and
believe armed forces should have a minimal role in
those efforts.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14212191.htm

[unhappycamper]

1. Would you please cross post this to the Veterans forum?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=259

Thanks. :hi: