France brings forward training of Somali security forces from September to July

French Foreign Ministry

June 29, 2009 Markacadeey

[OSC Translated Text] [Statements by Eric Chevallier, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, from the ministry's daily briefing with unidentified correspondents at the Foreign Ministry in Paris on 26 June]

Somalia

France has decided to speed up the implementation of its training programme for Somalian security forces. The training programme will begin in July and not, as initially planned, in September.

[Correspondent] Will the programme be maintained even if the government changes?

[Chevallier] It is programme designed to support the current authorities, whom we regard as legitimate and determined to try to bring peace and stability to Somalia.

[Correspondent] Are you alone in organizing this programme?

[Chevallier] It is a programme decided on by France and which was announced at the meeting in Brussels devoted to Somalia on 23 April. It is a French plan, but we have worked with our European partners to examine the possibility of broadening it and extending it to other European participants who wish to be involved. The French pace is speeding up and we hope that this will encourage European contributions.

[Correspondent] This programme is taking place in Djibouti. Do you have any details on the number of people who will be trained and the size of the French aid?

[Chevallier] The programme consists in training 500 people. Part of the programme will be in place as of July.

[Correspondent] How many French people will be involved in this task?

[Chevallier] That is an operational question which it would be more logical to put to the Ministry of Defence.

Source: French Foreign Ministry website