Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires Virginia Blaser at the Opening of ACSS Symposium

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Labourdonnais Hotel
Port Louis

Police Commissioner Dhun Iswur Rampersad
Deputy Police Commissioner Bruno
Mauritius Chapter President and Deputy Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojbally
Colleagues from ACSS
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a privilege for me, on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, to welcome you to the second annual Topical Symposium for the Mauritius Africa Center Chapter.

I would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies and U.S. Africa Command for their efforts in facilitating this gathering. 

Likewise, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Police Headquarters, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deserve heartfelt thanks for their support and assistance to the United States Embassy, to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, and to the Mauritius Africa Center Chapter.

Professionalism…  Diversity…  Effectiveness  - - these are the three words that come to mind when I think of the Mauritian Security Forces.  This is a multilingual, multicultural force whose expertise and skills are sought out globally.  Your forays into international security teams are praised and are much in need.

Professionalism…  The Mauritian chapter, launched last year, is the 20th Africa Center chapter established in the world.  This chapter connects Mauritian members to global networks of African civilian and military professionals and helps Mauritius build and sustain cooperative security relationships in the region.

Diversity…  The chapter also serves as a marketplace for ideas that will nurture the exchange of different viewpoints both among its members and with the larger community on issues of importance to Mauritius.  You are a special chapter -- with unique language and cultural diversity, which can lead to new and unique ideas. 

I encourage each of you to seize your diversity and the depth of opportunity it represents.

Effectiveness…  We hope this Chapter will also provide a exceptional  vehicle to convey U.S. policy goals for Africa, provide visiting U.S. Government representatives with an African perspective  --  a Mauritian perspective -- to better understand your needs and concerns, and promote discussions of regional and national security issues.  The forum also gives members an opportunity to provide feedback on such matters as democracy and governance, security cooperation, conflict resolution, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping.

Mauritius continues to play an increasingly important role politically and economically in Africa and the Indian Ocean region. With its professional and multi-lingual security forces, Mauritius can and should play a greater regional security role in Africa.  We know you are taking positive steps to achieve that potential, and I encourage you all – from policemen to policy makers -- to hear the world’s call for Mauritian peacekeepers.

I know that Mauritian authorities and policymakers recognize that the scourges of terrorism, trafficking, and piracy are among the primary threats to national and regional security.  You are taking action.

As an island nation with vast territorial waters, Mauritius developed solid security officers and specialized units such as the well-established Anti-Drug Smuggling Unit and the new Counter Terrorism Center -- an initiative we celebrate and support…and I note that Major Seebah leaves tonight for a three-week training course in the US, from which we hope he will bring many new ideas and contacts to help develop the new Anti-Terrorism Center. 

With regard to this center, I encourage the Mauritian government to look holistically at this center and to bring in experts throughout your many ministries to serve in this center – not just as advisors but as active members who are co-located in the center itself.  We learned in our own tragic incidents in 2001 that communication and coordination among agencies is critical to counter terrorism efforts.

The special security units (Such as the Counter Terrorism Center) you have created are an important part of Mauritian efforts to address acts of terrorism and narcotics trafficking and to protect the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.  The United States stands firmly with you in the defense of these goals.

We at the U.S. Embassy understand that insecurity anywhere is a threat to security everywhere, and the Mauritius African Chapter is a testament to a shared goal of increasing stability and good governance in Mauritius, the Indian Ocean, and Africa.

The United States appreciate the opportunity to be a security partner with you as a nation – a partner with your security service as a team – and a partner with each of you here today as individuals. 

As examples, this year alone we have Mobile Training Teams coming to Mauritius to train on Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure and Peacekeeping operations.  We have training on Forensics and Criminology. 

Likewise, through our Anti-Terrorism Assistance program we sponsored courses on Investigative Information Management as well as Cyber Crimes and Seizure of Digital Evidence.   And as we do every year, we are sending many Mauritian officers to the United States for training.

We are also proud to announce that all is on course for the new patrol boat built by the U.S. for the Mauritian fleet to ready for delivery this year.  And particularly pleased to be providing equipment and training to help secure your EEZ.

We look forward to these programs – and many more like them in the years to come.

I would like to commend the Mauritian Chapter representatives and everyone here for this excellent initiative and wish everyone the best for the good work that starts here today. 

Thank You.