[dehai-news] (MR) U.S. to increase military aid to Ethiopia, Djibouti


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From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Tue Aug 19 2008 - 11:19:49 EDT


What Washington is willing to spend in Africa
 
August 19th, 2008
 
By Scott A Morgan
 
October 1st begins the new fiscal year in the United States. This year
FY 09 marks the end of the Bush Presidency. So in what is his final
budget submitted to the Congress how much money does He want to send to
Africa?
 
The Amount of money that both the State Department and the Defense
Department wish to spend is just over $1 Billion. Almost half of that
amount ($500 Million) will be earmarked for the State Department for
Drug Enforcement, Training of Law Enforcement, Anti-Terrorism,Demining
and other Programs.
 
Several Countries will recieve an increase in Foreign Military Funding
Projects as well. Ethiopia will receive $1.9 Million which is an
increase from the FY 08 package of $843,000. Djibouti receives an
increase of $800,000 in the Proposed Aid Package. The DRC will receive
$600,000 this year and Nigeria has since a request for $1.35 Million.
 
Meanwhile the Pentagon will be spending just under $400 Million for its
Headquarters in Germany. There currently is no money being allocated for
a forward deployment installation. There is some speculation that when
France pulls out of its base in Djibouti in 2010 the US may take it
over.It is estimated under this current budget proposal that the
Pentagon will spend rough $ 400 Billion to train Paramilitary,Police and
Regular Armed Forces.
 
Some of the Money and Arms from the US will be making its way to several
trouble spots in Africa. The DRC continues to have problems with several
Militias exerting influence in the east of the country. West Africa is a
concern as it is used to trans-ship Narcotics from South America to
Europe. The US is increasing its Presence in the Gulf of Guinea Region
as well due to the Large Amount of oil that is in close proximity to
that body of water.
 
Other Areas that the US are concerned with are the Horn of Africa and
the Sahel Region. In the Horn the US has spent Millions of Dollars and
even used precision strikes to support Ethiopia as it attempts to prop
up the weak Somali Government. Stability in Kenya has to be a concern
after the Elections there earlier this year. In the Sahel Region it is
believed that Al-Qaida is attempting to get a foothold in the region as
well.
 
In General Africa was on the backburner of the Policy Makers in
Washington for a while.The US has generally stood on the sidelines for
several African Crises such as what occured in Rwanda.But there has been
some positive efforts such as bringing the Warring Factions in Southern
Sudan together with the Government for a Peace Accord.
 
There is some concern that AFRICOM (Africa Command) could be the
beginning of an attempt by the US to Militarize the Continent. The
stated goal of AFRICOM is not to place boots on African Soil but to
assist the African Military Forces. But it is clear that whatever
happens in Africa cannot be ignored in Washington.
- - - - - - - -
The Author publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. It can be found at
morganrights.tripod.com
 

 

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