Scheffer says NATO can play role in training of African soldiers
21/11/2008 17:47
Visiting NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said the
military alliance can play an important role in the training of African
soldiers.
According to the Ghana News Agency today, Scheffer said the
alliance will ensure that Africa provides solutions to the conflicts on the
continent.
Scheffer made the remarks in Accra yesterday during an interaction
with Ghanaian military officers. He said Africans must be in the lead to find
solutions to problems that confront them.
He ruled out a direct role for the
alliance's troops in Africa, saying it is not in NATO's domain to police the
world.
"We are not seeking to impose ourselves, nor do we pretend that we
have the answers to all of Africa's security problems. This is why we strongly
support the principle of African ownership," he said.
Scheffer said the
alliance has agreed to support the African Standby Force, and is in close
contact with the African Union, standing ready to offer advice and assistance
throughout its creation.
Commenting on the pirates in Gulf of Aden and
elsewhere, he said it was a "very serious challenge" that should be combated by
the international community.
He explained that NATO's warships are already
escorting food aid shipments to Somalia and patrolling the Gulf of
Aden.
Scheffer arrived in Ghana on Wednesday at the invitation of President
John Agyekum Kufuor for a visit.
During his visit, Scheffer will call on
President Kufuor and attend a dinner to be hosted by Albet Kan-Dapaa, Ghanaian's
Minister of Defense.
According to James Appathurai, NATO Spokesperson, with
President Kufuor's experience with the African Union, the visit is expected to
afford NATO the opportunity of learning from the president on how best he would
be of assistance to the AU.
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