US Troops to Africa
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release October 14, 2011
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
October 14, 2011
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
For more than two decades, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has murdered, raped, and kidnapped tens of thousands of men, women, and children in central Africa. The LRA continues to commit atrocities across the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan that have a disproportionate impact on regional security. Since 2008, the United States has supported regional military efforts to pursue the LRA and protect local communities. Even with some limited U.S. assistance, however, regional military efforts have thus far been unsuccessful in removing LRA leader Joseph Kony or his top commanders from the battlefield. In the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009, Public Law 111-172, enacted May 24, 2010, the Congress also expressed support for increased, comprehensive U.S. efforts to help mitigate and eliminate the threat posed by the LRA to civilians and regional stability.
In furtherance of the Congress's stated policy, I have authorized a small number of combat-equipped U.S. forces to deploy to central Africa to provide assistance to regional forces that are working toward the removal of Joseph Kony from the battlefield. I believe that deploying these U.S. Armed Forces furthers U.S. national security interests and foreign policy and will be a significant contribution toward counter-LRA efforts in central Africa.
On October 12, the initial team of U.S. military personnel with appropriate combat equipment deployed to Uganda. During the next month, additional forces will deploy, including a second combat-equipped team and associated headquarters, communications, and logistics personnel.
The total number of U.S. military personnel deploying for this mission is approximately 100. These forces will act as advisors to partner forces that have the goal of removing from the battlefield Joseph Kony and other senior leadership of the LRA. Our forces will provide information, advice, and assistance to select partner nation forces. Subject to the approval of each respective host nation, elements of these U.S. forces will deploy into Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The support provided by U.S. forces will enhance regional efforts against the LRA. However, although the U.S. forces are combat-equipped, they will only be providing information, advice, and assistance to partner nation forces, and they will not themselves engage LRA forces unless necessary for self-defense. All appropriate precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of U.S. military personnel during their deployment.
I have directed this deployment, which is in the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I am making this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA
# # #
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36 comments Add your comment
CaptSlaq
October 14th, 2011
3:20 pm
What’s of “national security and foreign policy interest” in central Africa?
caliber
October 14th, 2011
3:54 pm
What has changed? Why now? Another “end run” to cover something else that is going on or will be soon going on? You bet your as_ I’m skeptical!
jwmiller
October 14th, 2011
4:14 pm
would like to think this is sending warning bells off in all who can think beyond their nose __have heard the advisor story before and remember where that went.
nothing there
October 14th, 2011
4:28 pm
There’s nothing of interest in Africa.
Let the Africans take care of themselves for a change instead of relying on Europe or the US to rescue them.
bucket
October 14th, 2011
4:29 pm
This is another example of why we must have a national conversation sooner rather than later about the use of our military. After hearing Sen. Inhofe’s impassioned speech about the suffering of the children and others in Africa it is hard to fault the president for sending troops. This is a touchy subject which is why we need to have the conversation.
Tom(Independent)
October 14th, 2011
4:36 pm
We have no business heading into Africa for humanitarian reasons, it is time to stop being the world’s policeman, period!! It should be all about jobs and taking care of US citizens!! This is typical liberal Democratic BS!! Can’t hardly wait until OBAMA is sent packing!!
Tom(Independent)
October 14th, 2011
4:39 pm
Oh, I forgot to ask. How much of taxpayers money is this venture going to cost us?
jeff w
October 14th, 2011
4:44 pm
Desperate leaders, even presidents, have been known to start wars as a way to win re-election.
Mark
October 14th, 2011
4:44 pm
Yikes, getting Clinton/Mogadishu flashbacks. In like manner, we should not be there, but if we are, need to send in enough troops to defend themselves. 100 Soldiers? Are you serious, Mr. Pres?
Truth
October 14th, 2011
4:55 pm
Does Mr. Obama have a relative involved in this?
alvin e thomas
October 14th, 2011
5:07 pm
Here we go again. I am a Black Vietnam Veteran who has been fighting for benefits for Ischemic heart condition since 1997. Instead of denying so many of us, this money could have went for claims!
Jack
October 14th, 2011
5:17 pm
I ain’t believing Obama. Why Africa? Why now? I think I know why: it has everything to do with his poll numbers.
Tom(Independent)
October 14th, 2011
5:19 pm
Alvin – I am a white Vietnam vet, I am with you 100% brother!!!!!!!!!!!
dave
October 14th, 2011
5:22 pm
With Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, America needs another military mis-adventure…it’s what we do. As the song goes “When will they ever learn.” Makes you long for the days our country exported more butter than guns.
Vietnam 69
kABOOM
October 14th, 2011
5:26 pm
WTH??? This is an United Nations mission, period! Get our troops out of dangerous places. Central Africa is pretty close to Iran… just sayin.
Shondrekia
October 14th, 2011
5:41 pm
USA, World Policeman.
Jackets '10
October 14th, 2011
5:43 pm
So maybe we should make an American Foreign Legion that closely mirrors the FFL, and get them to do all our foreign policy shenanigans and keep the main army at home except in extreme situations. This will not ever happen, but it is interesting to think about.
PappyHappy
October 14th, 2011
5:50 pm
Am I getting this right??
*Obama is on the verge of cutting the armed services up to 200,000 troops to save money.
*Obama’s administration is talking about scrapping the military retirement system for a civilian 401K type system, but not payable until the retiree hits 60 – 65 – to save money.
*Obama’s administration is talking about CUTTING medical benefits for the military, and retirees, (TRICARE) to save money.
*Obama seems to want to get out of Iraq and Afghanistan as quickly as possible, leaving both countries at the whims of Iran.
*Our services are way behind force modernization for the 21st Century because of the costs (Team Obama killed the Army’s Future Combat Systems the first 90 days Obama was in office)!!
——————————–AND WHAT DOES OBAMA DO????—————————-
SEND TROOPS TO UGANDA!! And our national interest is ____________________________________________??????????????
Children, that is how Vietnam started!!
Will the Nobel Committee ask for their prize back now??
GrannyCares
October 14th, 2011
5:53 pm
Is Obama now trying to mimic Mugabe?? Why is the US going to ‘CENTRAL AFRICA’?? Is Obama off his rocker? What is this guy smoking??? Can’t believe him!!
markie mark
October 14th, 2011
5:53 pm
Wag the Dog, Part II
Pius Paul
October 14th, 2011
5:56 pm
OH BOY!! Know this will turn out well!! What is this Obama initiative (’NON WAR’) going to cost, and how long are we going to be there??
HOW IS HIS ‘NON WAR’ IN LIBYA GOING, and HOW MUCH IS THAT COSTING?? REMEMBER:
FLASH BACK — “”I said at the outset that this was going to be a matter of days and not weeks. And there’s nothing based on how we’ve been able to execute over the last several days that changes that assessment¬.”–President Obama, March 22, 2011
FLASHBACK: March 30: ‘Their days are numbered’…
FLASHBACK: April 15: ‘Your days are numbered’…
FLASHBACK: May 11: ‘Muammar Gaddafi’s days are numbered.’…
WH: Gaddafi ‘toppled by end of August’…
It was reported on July 27 that the cost of Obama’s NON WAR (Libya) is now estimated to be $1,000,000,000! The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs announced that Obama’s NON WAR was now a STALEMATE! Think we might save a bit here GANG?
It has not worked out very well when Obama played Field Marshal!!
GEORGE IV
October 14th, 2011
5:58 pm
Pappy, you have it right. He is just trying to impress his cousins in Kenya.
Obama dispatches troops to central Africa to hunt down leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army - Online Political Blog
October 14th, 2011
6:00 pm
[...] Dupree has a copy of Obama’s letter. According to Wikipedia’s article on the LRA: The group was formed in 1987 and until about [...]
Hopeful
October 14th, 2011
6:03 pm
Praying that those 100 soilders men/women will make a difference in this horrible situation.
aaron
October 14th, 2011
6:24 pm
I am a a staunch conservative and am glad to applaud the prez when he does something right. 5 million people have died over the last several years in the congo. Praise God if this ends the genocide there. I do not care if we have “interest” in the region. Our interest should be helping to end the suffering there.
aaron
October 14th, 2011
6:29 pm
If the UN would follow its own mandates it would not have come to this.
Confussedd
October 14th, 2011
6:41 pm
Way late on solving problems in Sudan. At least he is pretending the Syrians are not killing their people. News was released on a Friday to get less talk- Smart politician. Cost not mentioned- Smart politician. No announced withdraw – maybe learne d from Afghanistan. Hopefully no General in charge who ways what he really thinks of the President. Probably a bad idea but then again President Obama had to convince Brad Pitt and George Clooney he was doing something for fundraising purposes.
The Great Progressive
October 14th, 2011
6:42 pm
Oh my citizens, notice I said “my”, fret not. It’s our moral imperative to protect all and everyone. we are God’s creatures and God has called on me to direct you dear citizens. Progressive government requireS complete obedience if it to progress to my desired ends. Notice I said “my” again.
If you don’t agree and abide citizens then we must do what we must as true Progressives do –
TO THE LIME PITS WITH YOU.
The Great Progressive
October 14th, 2011
6:46 pm
Yes Arron, you bring up a vital point, secret reality. Conservatives are now Progressive, like the previous Great Progressive , the Almighty W, who took Progressive intervention and coercion to a level exceeded only by me – YOUR MASTER.
BOW TO ME AARON. Or it’s OFF TO THE LIME PITS WITH YOU!!!
jason
October 14th, 2011
7:15 pm
South Sudan is oil rich but it’s not profitable to extract when there’s fighting going on. We have to make it safe for the oil companies to do business and make a profit.
claytondawg
October 14th, 2011
7:42 pm
Oh, no. Not again. We still have more than a year with this President’s asinine decision-making. 2012 can’t get here fast enough.
Skip
October 14th, 2011
7:46 pm
Killings our business and business is good. Viet Nam 67-68 Here we go again.
MrLiberty
October 14th, 2011
9:12 pm
Advisors – exactly the way Vietnam began. Monday the congress should begin impeachment proceedings. Start with the murder of american citizens and then work your way back to the inauguration. Be sure to get the international war crimes tribunal involved. I’m sure they would appreciate the head’s up.
Edna Godbey
October 16th, 2011
4:01 am
The fastest serve in a game of tennis was in 1963 by Michael Sangster. It was clocked at 154 mile per hour.
Avser Basti
October 18th, 2011
3:00 pm
WALL STREET PROTESTS AREN’T ANTI WALL-STREET AT ALL, BUT INSTEAD RACIALLY MOTIVATED AGAINST WHITES !!!
THEY WERE MURDERING YOU WITH AND INSIDE OF THEIR CORPORATIONS FOR OVER 66 YEARS !!! THEY HAVE CLOSED DOWN ALMOST EVERY SMALL COMPANY(FARMS) IN UNITES STATES OF AMERICA AND NOW, THEY WANT YOU TO GO OUT THERE AND PROTEST FOR THEM AGAINST WALL STREET(because corporations = Wall-street) !!!
http://multiculturalismisterrorism.blogspot.com/.
KVW
October 19th, 2011
11:55 am
In response to “There’s nothing of interest in Africa.
Let the Africans take care of themselves for a change instead of relying on Europe or the US to rescue them.”
You are correct except that you forgot to complete your sentence:
There is nothing in Africa EXCEPT the ramifications of the US and Europe’s rape and pillage of resources as well as a people disillustioned by a ethnocentric “whiteness”. It would serve you well to become educated historically. Start with King Leopold from Belgium. Google it. See how Africa was divided up by westerners at the Berlin Conference without an African present! The genocide began here. What we need is another LUMUMBA; someone who is not deceived by European influence.Perhaps he would be murdered by the US and Europe as well. I am not sure if or how much US intervention will actually assist or help in the unification of Africa.