U.S. AFRICOM Public Affairs Note: The following statement was released by the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali. The equipment was presented by the U.S. Department of State, not by the U.S. military. U.S. Ambassador to Mali Gillian A. Milovanovic presented new tactical vehicles, communications, and other equipment, and military clothing to Mali Minister of Defense Natié Pleah and the Mali Chief of Defense General Gabriel Poudiougou, on October 20, 2009. In a ceremony at the Ministry of Defense, Milovanovic transferred 37 brand-new Land Cruiser pickup trucks, along with powerful communications equipment that will allow Malian security forces to move, transport and communicate across wide expanses of open desert. In addition, replacement parts, clothing, individual equipment and other supplies will be provided in the next few weeks for a U.S. Government initiative totaling more than 5 million U.S. dollars (2.3 Billion CFA). "These capacity-building assets are evidence of U.S. long-term support for the Malian government and its people," Milovanovic said. "We remain dedicated to responding to the needs of our Malian friends, allies, and partners to secure their borders and to achieve peace and security."