Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Cesar B. Cabrera at the Graduation Ceremony of the U.S. Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) Training Seminar on Peacekeeping Operations in according with the Rule of Law

Friday, September 12, 2008
Diamond Hall, Mobile Wing (SMF Headquarters), Vacoas

Police Commissioner
Commanding Officer of the Special Mobile Force
Commandant of the National Coast Guard
DIILS instructors
Participants and Guests

On behalf of the United States Embassy, it gives me great pleasure to be here today for the graduation ceremony of the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies -- or DIILS -- training seminar.

First, I would like to thank the Office of the Prime Minister, the Special Mobile Force, and Police Headquarters for their support of DIILS.  In particular, I would like to recognize the Commanding Officer of the Special Mobile Force and the Police Commissioner for providing the facilities for this week’s training.

This year, the United States Embassy, through its International Military Education Training Program, also known as “IMET”, has awarded grants totaling four point three million Rupees for Mauritian military training.  This week’s seminar is only one example of the diverse training conducted through IMET.  Since 1996, IMET has sent over 63 Mauritian law enforcement officers to the U.S. for training and trained over 650 individuals through in-country sessions in Mauritius.

The goal of IMET is to further regional and global stability through effective, mutually beneficial military-to-military relations, as well as to assist likeminded partners in protecting basic democratic values and protecting internationally recognized human rights.
 
This week’s course represents a tailor-made program created specifically to address the individual needs of Mauritius.  The focus of the DIILS program completed this week was Peacekeeping Operations In Accordance With the Rule of Law.  To those of you who attended the program, you are now graduates in peacekeeping and are more aware of the role you and your organizations can play in international peacekeeping operations.

You now have the tools to keep Mauritius safe in our uncertain world.  These same tools could also help keep vulnerable people around the world safe and secure.  Mauritians have distinguished themselves in peacekeeping operations in Darfur, Haiti, Sudan, Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Bosnia.  I trust that Mauritius will dramatically increase its participation in international peacekeeping. You are ready. And the world needs you.  The U.S. Embassy stands ready to provide continued assistance to help Mauritius develop its peacekeeping capabilities.
 
Congratulations on completing this training seminar.  I am confident that your newly acquired expertise will help you enhance the peacekeeping efforts of Mauritius.  In turn, the productive exchanges between yourselves and the four American trainers also enriched their experience and provided new insights for them to take back to the United States.

I look forward to the continued cooperation with the Government of Mauritius for future IMET programs.  Thank you.