US rules out putting American troops on the ground in Mali
Source: Agencies |
January 16, 2013, Wednesday
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DEFENSE Secretary Leon Panetta said yesterday that the US has ruled out putting any American troops on the ground in Mali, but officials are hoping the French will be able to succeed in establishing better security for the West African nation.
Panetta spoke at a press conference in Lisbon with Portuguese Defense Minister Jose Aguiar Branco.
The US is providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French in their assault on Islamist extremists in Mali, and officials would not rule out having American aircraft land in the West African nation as part of future efforts to lend airlift and logistical support.
Panetta said the US is still working through the details of assistance it will provide France.
French forces led an all-night bombing campaign over a small Malian town, working to dislodge the Islamist extremists who had seized the area, including its strategic military camp.
Meanwhile, a convoy of 40 to 50 armed trucks carrying French troops crossed into Mali from Cote d'Ivoire, where they were stationed, as France prepares for a possible land assault. The insurgents, however, have been gaining ground, pushing closer to capital Bamako.
Panetta called the military operation important, although "there is no consideration of putting any American boots on the ground at this time."
He said that although al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, also known as AQIM, and other affiliate groups in Mali may not pose an immediate threat to the United States, "ultimately that remains their objective."
"We have to take steps now so that AQIM does not get that kind of traction," he said, and ensure it does not secure a base of operations in the region.
He said al-Qaida affiliates in Yemen and Somalia have been weakened. But he said the job is not finished.
"I honestly believe that after four years, America is safer from that kind of attack that we experienced on 9/11," Panetta said.
Still, he said, the US has a responsibility to go after al-Qaida wherever it is, including Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and North Africa.
The Pentagon chief said US officials have promised Portugal that America will do whatever it can to help and to insure that AQIM is ultimately stopped. He also noted that the Economic Community of West African States, which representing 15 nations, will be deploying forces in Mali soon.
French President Francois Hollande authorized the military assault as it became clear that the rebels could break Mali's military defenses in Mopti, the first town on the government-controlled side, located in the center of the country.
The French have suggested the rebels are better armed than initially expected, having obtained weapons stolen from the abandoned arsenal of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi who was killed in the uprising in his country.
Panetta spoke at a press conference in Lisbon with Portuguese Defense Minister Jose Aguiar Branco.
The US is providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French in their assault on Islamist extremists in Mali, and officials would not rule out having American aircraft land in the West African nation as part of future efforts to lend airlift and logistical support.
Panetta said the US is still working through the details of assistance it will provide France.
French forces led an all-night bombing campaign over a small Malian town, working to dislodge the Islamist extremists who had seized the area, including its strategic military camp.
Meanwhile, a convoy of 40 to 50 armed trucks carrying French troops crossed into Mali from Cote d'Ivoire, where they were stationed, as France prepares for a possible land assault. The insurgents, however, have been gaining ground, pushing closer to capital Bamako.
Panetta called the military operation important, although "there is no consideration of putting any American boots on the ground at this time."
He said that although al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, also known as AQIM, and other affiliate groups in Mali may not pose an immediate threat to the United States, "ultimately that remains their objective."
"We have to take steps now so that AQIM does not get that kind of traction," he said, and ensure it does not secure a base of operations in the region.
He said al-Qaida affiliates in Yemen and Somalia have been weakened. But he said the job is not finished.
"I honestly believe that after four years, America is safer from that kind of attack that we experienced on 9/11," Panetta said.
Still, he said, the US has a responsibility to go after al-Qaida wherever it is, including Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and North Africa.
The Pentagon chief said US officials have promised Portugal that America will do whatever it can to help and to insure that AQIM is ultimately stopped. He also noted that the Economic Community of West African States, which representing 15 nations, will be deploying forces in Mali soon.
French President Francois Hollande authorized the military assault as it became clear that the rebels could break Mali's military defenses in Mopti, the first town on the government-controlled side, located in the center of the country.
The French have suggested the rebels are better armed than initially expected, having obtained weapons stolen from the abandoned arsenal of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi who was killed in the uprising in his country.
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