Pentagon delegates US aid to Yemen
The Defense Department is calling for $150 million to be spent on security assistance in Yemen this year.
Some $35 million of that is in the 1206 funds to support counterterrorism efforts in Yemen. An additional $38 million “will provide Yemen with a military transport aircraft,” Reuters reported. The other $70 million will be detailed by the Pentagon soon, but is expected to go towards bolstering Yemen’s air transport capabilities, Reuters said.
This Section 1206 program will help build the capacity of Yemen’s national military forces by providing equipment and training to enhance the Yemeni Special Operations Forces’ (YSOF) mobility, situational awareness, survivability, communications, and tactical proficiency in support of their CT mission, according to a report by Michele A. Flournoy , the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy handed to Chairman of Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs in the House of Representative.
Yemen’s special forces’ inability to conduct precision counterterrorism operations allows al-Qaeda to destabilize the region. Building CT capability in Yemen supports U.S. national security objectives both globally and within the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
This program will contain the required elements to promote the observance of and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and respect for legitimate civilian authority. This $34,500,000 program was coordinated through a joint Department of Defense- Department of State review, approved by the Secretary of Defense, with concurrence from the Deputy Secretary of State. There will be no effect on U.S. personnel or operations.
Human Rights Training Element, conducted by the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies, for all countries in this notification will amount to $450,000.
All items will be on contract or ordered from stock no later than May 30, 20 IO. Deliveries in Yemen are anticipated to commence as soon as possible in this fiscal year, and will be completed within 18 months or earlier depending on production and delivery time. The period of performance for severable contracted services beginning before September 30, 2010 must be completed by September 30, 2011.
Yemen - presented by "Now You Know"
