Wikileaks - DCCXIX
104640 4/17/2007 10:35 07OSLO376 Embassy Oslo CONFIDENTIAL 06OSLO210|06STATE27201 VZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0376 1071035 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 171035Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5507 INFO RUCNCFE/CONVENTIONAL ARMED FORCES IN EUROPE COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0221 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0114 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 0510 RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA PRIORITY 0372 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1504 C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000376
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017 TAGS: NRRC, PARM, KCFE, NO SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS REPLY TO CFE DEMARCHE
REF: A. A) 2006 OSLO 210 B. B) 2006 STATE 27201
Classified By: Acting DCM Kristen Bauer, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d)
1. (C) On April 16 we received a response to our February 24, 2006 demarche (Reftel A) concerning the transfer of battle tanks and artillery entitlements for the flank zone from Kaare R. Aas, MFA Director General and Siren Gjerme Eriksen, Deputy Director General.
2. (C) Begin response text: The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes reference to your demarche of 24 February 2006 and subsequent consultations.
In order to support (the) United States' arrangements in connection with the enlargement of NATO to include Bulgaria and Romania, and to show solidarity with the other CFE flank states Greece and Turkey, Norway is willing to transfer entitlements for Zone 5.1 (ref. Art 5.1 of the Treaty). Based on our assessment of factors affecting the Norwegian headroom figures, we must, however, limit our contribution to a maximum of 25 entitlements in the category of battle tanks. In the category of artillery Norway can provide all 31 entitlements requested.
Please note that the number of allocations offered for battle tanks in fact exceeds the Norwegian headroom figure in the 1 January 2007 information exchange and therefore requires particular attention at the time actual notification of the transfers occurs.
Entitlements will be transferred provided that certain conditions are met:
* The transfers are considered to be temporary in the sense that the entitlements are transferred back at the latest when the adapted CFE treaty enters into force. * The entitlements are not used to further transfer equipment to countries that are not currently members of NATO.
We look forward to your confirmation of this understanding. End text. JOHNSON
