Mali: United States to block France in the UNSC
Washington wants to separate the process of reconciliation with the Tuareg and the implementation of an intervention force against Islamist groups in the north of the country, Le Figaro reports.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-United-Sta...
France has proposed totheUN Security Council a single mission to deal with both national political reconciliation between the Malian government and the Tuareg and the establishment of a military intervention force against Islamist groups in the north with a possible intervention in the fall of 2013. This would be carried out by Malian forces themselves, once they are trained and equipped.
The United States wants to separate the two missions. One a UN mission in charge of political reconciliation, andthe other to postpone the authorisation of a military operation in the north. They prefer two UN missions on the grounds that in Mali: the development of militray strategy and training can only be achieved over time. France does not agree with the idea of two missions to Mali.
France believes it has the support of thirteen other countries in the UN Security Council, but must reckon with Susan Rice United States ambassador at the UN who will make no concessions.Le Figaro says that she does not think six months will be sufficient to train the Malian army she prefers the Chadian army to fix the problem because they have a reputation for being real fighters in the desert.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. authorities themselves are divided. Those combating terrorism at the Pentagon, supported by part of the Obama administration would want to act fast. Some would seek greater flexibility to eventually lead special operations themselves against the Salafists of AQIM (al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb) and Mujao (Movement for Unity and Jihad in Africa West),who are present in northern Mali. Others fear the regional consequences of such action.
Ban Ki-moon is reluctant to support amilitary intervention. The annual cost of the intervention envisaged bythe French would be in the order of US $200 million and the UN Secretary General is unwilling to provide financial support. The EU has approved the sending of a force of 400 troops to train Malian forces, providd the UNSC agrees. The solution to the crisis in Mali continues to be ever more complicated.
The United States wants to separate the two missions. One a UN mission in charge of political reconciliation, andthe other to postpone the authorisation of a military operation in the north. They prefer two UN missions on the grounds that in Mali: the development of militray strategy and training can only be achieved over time. France does not agree with the idea of two missions to Mali.
France believes it has the support of thirteen other countries in the UN Security Council, but must reckon with Susan Rice United States ambassador at the UN who will make no concessions.Le Figaro says that she does not think six months will be sufficient to train the Malian army she prefers the Chadian army to fix the problem because they have a reputation for being real fighters in the desert.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. authorities themselves are divided. Those combating terrorism at the Pentagon, supported by part of the Obama administration would want to act fast. Some would seek greater flexibility to eventually lead special operations themselves against the Salafists of AQIM (al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb) and Mujao (Movement for Unity and Jihad in Africa West),who are present in northern Mali. Others fear the regional consequences of such action.
Ban Ki-moon is reluctant to support amilitary intervention. The annual cost of the intervention envisaged bythe French would be in the order of US $200 million and the UN Secretary General is unwilling to provide financial support. The EU has approved the sending of a force of 400 troops to train Malian forces, providd the UNSC agrees. The solution to the crisis in Mali continues to be ever more complicated.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Mali-United-Sta...