Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
San Diego Union-Tribune
October 30, 2007 By Matt Moore, Associated Press
FRANKFURT, Germany – The U.S. military has named a senior diplomat to serve alongside a Navy admiral in leading its new Africa Command, an acknowledgment of the importance of the civilian aspects of the operation.
The command said yesterday that Mary Carlin Yates, a former ambassador to Ghana and Burundi, was appointed its deputy for civil-military activities.
She is the first senior government civilian from outside the Defense Department to be part of a U.S. regional military headquarters command structure, the military said.
“It's been our intent from the beginning to have a civilian aspect to the command,” Africa Command spokesman Maj. Steven Wollman said. “The appointment of Ambassador Yates signifies ... the resolve behind the intent to make that happen.”
Vice Adm. Robert Moeller was appointed deputy for military operations.
The Africa Command headquarters, which started operations this month, is meant to help African security forces tackle regional crises and terrorist threats – recognizing the continent's increasing strategic importance.
The command plans to work closely with African nations on joint military exercises, but also on aid and other humanitarian operations.
Eric Edelman, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said in addition to serving as ambassador to the two African nations, Yates was a foreign policy adviser to the military's European Command from 2005-07.
The Africa Command will operate from the U.S. Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, until a permanent site is found in Africa.
Liberia is the only country to publicly offer to host the command.
U.S. plans have met with sharp resistance from many African nations. Nigeria, for example, worked to block the headquarters from being established in the Gulf of Guinea region.
The U.S. plan foresees a small headquarters plus five regional teams spread across the continent. The Pentagon has emphasized that it is not building new military bases.
October 30, 2007 By Matt Moore, Associated Press
FRANKFURT, Germany – The U.S. military has named a senior diplomat to serve alongside a Navy admiral in leading its new Africa Command, an acknowledgment of the importance of the civilian aspects of the operation.
The command said yesterday that Mary Carlin Yates, a former ambassador to Ghana and Burundi, was appointed its deputy for civil-military activities.
She is the first senior government civilian from outside the Defense Department to be part of a U.S. regional military headquarters command structure, the military said.
“It's been our intent from the beginning to have a civilian aspect to the command,” Africa Command spokesman Maj. Steven Wollman said. “The appointment of Ambassador Yates signifies ... the resolve behind the intent to make that happen.”
Vice Adm. Robert Moeller was appointed deputy for military operations.
The Africa Command headquarters, which started operations this month, is meant to help African security forces tackle regional crises and terrorist threats – recognizing the continent's increasing strategic importance.
The command plans to work closely with African nations on joint military exercises, but also on aid and other humanitarian operations.
Eric Edelman, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said in addition to serving as ambassador to the two African nations, Yates was a foreign policy adviser to the military's European Command from 2005-07.
The Africa Command will operate from the U.S. Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, until a permanent site is found in Africa.
Liberia is the only country to publicly offer to host the command.
U.S. plans have met with sharp resistance from many African nations. Nigeria, for example, worked to block the headquarters from being established in the Gulf of Guinea region.
The U.S. plan foresees a small headquarters plus five regional teams spread across the continent. The Pentagon has emphasized that it is not building new military bases.