More Adventures In Africa?

[unhappycamper]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iUJE4ObnS9pWCWAbEacarW6aiF9w?docId=c4be1efaa61b4cfebca5f323f1f235b6

Panetta: Cannot let al-Qaida hide in north Africa
By By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press – 16 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior U.S. defense leaders are working with allies on a plan to deal with al-Qaida- linked militants in Mali and elsewhere in the North Africa region, with American assistance likely to center on intelligence and logistical support and not troops on the ground.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters at the Pentagon Wednesday that the U.S. must work with nations in the region to ensure that al-Qaida has no place to hide and expand its capabilities.

Panetta provided no details on what the U.S. would be willing to do, and officials say no final decisions have been made. But senior Defense Department leaders have been in France for the recent meetings on the matter, including assistant defense secretary Michael Sheehan and deputy assistant secretary Amanda Dory. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson was also at the Paris talks, which began on Monday.

A senior U.S. diplomat said there is very little appetite in the U.S. to intervene in Mali without the express agreement of the Malian government and as part of a strategy laid out by ECOWAS, the alliance of West Africa nations.