The United
States would certainly violate “its own imposed policies” should it send troops
to the African state of Mali, an analyst says.
“Technically the United States should not be involved directly in Mali. I say technically because U.S. law is that military assistance can only be given to a country that has a democratically elected government,” Patrick Basham, who is the founding Director of the Democracy Institute, told Press TV’s U.S. Desk on Saturday.
“Since the fairly recent coup in Mali which arguably was a catalyst for all that has happened since, the U.S. has its hands tied behind its back and that is largely why the U.S. hasn’t been as active as some of the European nations, obviously the French, in support of the Mali government,” he added.
“If it would turn out that the U.S. had boots on the ground, then that would contravene the U.S.’s own self-imposed restrictions… that would certainly be a clear violation of the U.S.’s own policies,” Basham said.
Bloomberg reported that U.S. military trainers are expected to arrive in West Africa this weekend to train local military forces to fight militants including those now battling French and local government troops in Mali, State Dept. spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.
The U.S. is reportedly providing intelligence, airlift to French troops fighting militants in Mali.
AGB/HJ