January 26, 2009

U.S. Government Continues Supporting Bolivian Peacekeeping Forces

Today, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, Kris Urs, donated 150
high- security military helmets to Bolivian Peacekeeping forces that participate in United
Nations-sponsored programs. During the donation ceremony, Urs symbolically handed
over one of the new blue helmets to Bolivian Defense Minister Walker San Miguel. So
far, the support provided by the U.S. Government through the Embassy’s Military Group
and other agencies to Bolivian peacekeeping forces is estimated at $1.5 million.
The Bolivian Peacekeeping Force (BOLCONT) stationed in the Democratic Republic of
Congo was relocated to a new base near the city of Goma a few weeks ago. The new
destination is much more dangerous because of recent acts of violence and
confrontation. Given the new challenges, the Bolivian government requested additional
support from the Chargé d’Affaires, including improved military helmets and bulletproof
vests. The Military Group of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz provided the vests to Bolivian
peacekeeping forces. Other U.S. military cooperation agencies located 150 new blue
helmets in a warehouse in Germany and delivered them to the Peacekeepers in Goma
on January 9, 2009.
Bolivia has participated in U.N. Peacekeeping Operations since the early ‘80s.
Currently, there are 449 Bolivian troops supporting U.N. peacekeeping operations in
Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Liberia, Darfur, Kosovo, Sudan, and
Cote d' Ivoire.
The U.S. Government also helped Bolivia create a Center for Peacekeeping Training
(COMPEBOL in Spanish), to provide training to the Bolivian peacekeeping forces that
support U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world. COMPEBOL trains
approximately 700 troops annually.
The U.S. Departments of State and Defense have allocated 1.5 million dollars for the
overall training program of Bolivian peacekeeping forces. The funds have been used to
finance several training projects that include seminars, onsite visits to areas in conflict,
and training.
A related agreement between Bolivia and the United States allows the U.S. Military
Group to provide additional support to COMPEBOL, including the construction of a
conference hall and a computer network with state-of-the-art technology.
The U.S. Embassy’s Military Group will continue supporting Bolivia in its valuable
initiative of participating in peacekeeping operations.