Wikileaks - CC

35119 6/21/2005 13:12 05BUCHAREST1405 Embassy Bucharest SECRET 05STATE111082 This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. S E C R E T BUCHAREST 001405

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PM/ISO, PM/RSAT, PM/PMAT, NEA/I, AND EUR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/21/2015 TAGS: MARR, MOPS, PREL, IZ, UK, RO, military cooperation SUBJECT: IRAQ: ROMANIA OPEN TO CHANGES IN ITS MISSION RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON ENGAGING THE IRAQ COALITION

REF: STATE 111082

Classified By: POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF ROBERT GILCHRIST FOR REASONS 1.4 A, B AND D

1. (S) On June 15, PolChief and DATT, along with British DCM delivered talking points on the U.S. Iraq strategy after Iraq elections to Stelian Stoian, MFA Director General for the Middle East and Global Affairs; Mihaela Matei, MOD Strategic Affairs Directorate Head; and Andreea Pastarnac, Director of the MFA Middle East and Africa Division.

2. (S) Stoian underscored that Romania -- at the highest political levels -- remains committed to maintaining troops in Iraq "until the job is done." This has been stated repeatedly by President Train Basescu, Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, and other senior officials. Stoian said Romania remains "very open" to a discussion on a potential change of mission or an adjustment to its current mission and would like to hear more specific ideas from the U.S. on this. He noted given that Romania has recently committed additional troops to Afghanistan, the GOR would have to consider carefully the costs of changes to the mission in Iraq -- "we are already stretched financially."

3. (S) Stoian said Romania remains committed to contributing to the coalition in the most effective manner possible and looks forward to a renewed dialogue with the U.S. on this. He said the GOR would also begin an internal discussion on what kind of contribution it should make to the new coalition strategy in Iraq.

4. (S) Matei raised during the June 15 meeting, and again with PolMil Officer during a June 17 meeting, several issues regarding the MNF-I's concept of embedding teams within the Iraqi military, and in some cases, special police and border units. She underscored that "there must be a single concept and coordination of rules of engagement regarding embedded teams and operational adjustments." She added that there should be coordination with SHAPE regarding both adjustments and embedded teams. Matei continued that a number of questions need to be answered regarding ROE and embedded teams, including whether embedded teams "are organized the same way throughout the coalition." Matei noted that Romanian troops currently serve in the Italian brigade under UK command. "How will the UK and Italians deal with embedded teams?" She concluded by stressing the importance of "harmonizing" ROE.

5. (U) Amembassy Bucharest's reporting telegrams are available on the Bucharest SIPRNet website: www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest DELARE