Gates Visits US Troops in Djibouti

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LOLITA C. BALDOR
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7122059,00.html

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, making his first visit Monday to U.S. troops in the Horn of Africa, is looking to use the military's broader work with humanitarian and development efforts here as a role model for other places, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gates arrived in this tiny port nation early in Monday morning and went into meetings with national leaders and military commanders.

A main topic will be the Pentagon's new Africa Command, which was launched Oct. 1 and aims to help nations tackle regional terrorist threats and other crises, as well as promote development and stability. And a recurrent theme will be how the military can expand its work with civilian agencies to promote stability and greater security in Africa and around the world.

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Gates is also expected to talk with leaders about the progress in setting up Africa Command. Many of the details have not yet been decided, including the size of the U.S. force and the location of the headquarters and as many as five other regional teams.

Recently, however, a number of African countries - including Libya, Nigeria and South Africa - have expressed reservations about a move that could signal an expansion of U.S. influence on the continent and may focus primarily on protecting oil interests.