Determination To Authorize the Furnishing of Non- Lethal Emergency Military Assistance to the States Participating in the Economic Community of West African States' Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG) Under Section 506(a)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as Amended

President Clinton authorized a drawdown of up to $5 million in non-lethal defense articles, services, and military training from Department of Defense stocks to support ECOWAS states participating in the ECOMOG peacekeeping force in Liberia. The determination cites an unforeseen emergency that cannot be met under other authorities.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 56861

Impact dates

Date TBD
Drawdown and delivery of authorized assistance (no fixed completion date specified)
Sep 30, 1996
Determination signed and effective

Key directives

Drawdown from DOD inventory of up to $5 million in aggregate value of non-lethal defense articles, defense services, and military education and training
Secretary of State to report Determination to Congress
Secretary of State to arrange for Federal Register publication

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Authorization for DOD drawdown of up to $5 million in non-lethal military assistance takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

Delivery of defense articles, services, and training to ECOMOG states

Long term

Enhanced ECOMOG peacekeeping capabilities toward peaceful resolution of Liberian crisis

Risks & tensions

Limited to non-lethal assistance despite active conflict environment in Liberia
Open-ended phrasing for future participants creates flexibility but also uncertainty in scope
Relatively small $5M cap may limit operational impact on peacekeeping effectiveness
Reliance on DOD stocks rather than new procurement may affect readiness trade-offs