COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
Public Affairs Section (PAS)
U.S Embassy
2, Avenue Mohamed El Fassi - Rabat
Tel : 037 66 82 66 - Fax : 037 66 82 84
Web: http:rabat.sembassy.gov

 

U.S. Army General William E. "Kip" Ward
Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is visiting Rabat, Morocco on May 28-29, 2008.

The visit is Ward's first as the commander of U.S. Africa Command.  He previously visited Morocco in February 2007 while serving as the deputy commander of U.S. European Command.  During his visit Ward plans to meet with senior Moroccan officials to discuss military cooperation.

Currently, the U.S. military relationship with Morocco is coordinated by U.S. European Command.  Africa Command will assume this coordinating role with Morocco and the other nations of Africa as part of a restructuring of the U.S. Defense Department.

U.S. Africa Command is intended to provide African nations and regional organizations with an integrated Defense Department coordination point to help address their security and developmental needs.  At present, three different U.S. regional military headquarters maintain relationships with countries in Africa.

Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, Africa Command is focused on coordinating U.S. military support for existing U.S. government programs that support the leadership of African nations, the African Union, and the regional economic communities.