Wikileaks - MXCV
160749 7/3/2008 16:53 08USNATO233 Mission USNATO CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN VZCZCXRO4361 OO RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNO #0233/01 1851653 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031653Z JUL 08 FM USMISSION USNATO TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2039 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNOSC/ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 0323 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0592 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0575 RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0760 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST PRIORITY 2443 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0399 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0551 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0956 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0402 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 0497 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0451 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 0838 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0667 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0647 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0551 RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA PRIORITY 7150 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0784 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0382 RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0185 RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 5616 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1039 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0702 RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 7285 RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY 4161 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0249 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0715 C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 USNATO 000233
NOFORN SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2018 TAGS: NATO, PREL, AF SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - JULY 2, 2008
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Classified By: CDA Richard G. Olson, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) Summary from the NAC Meeting:
-- Afghanistan: The SYG welcomed the new Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC) Admiral Giampaolo De Paola (Italy), and stated that the NAC would benefit from military advice from SHAPE on military preparations for the upcoming Afghanistan voter registration and elections. The SYG reported that he had received a letter from Afghan DefMin Wardak urging expansion of the ANA to 122K troops plus a training float of 12K, for a total force of 134K. CMC De Paola reported on ISAF support to ANA operations during the prison breakout and announced that consultations with nations on ANSF plans to take responsibility for security in Kabul city will begin July 3. During the operational brief, Admiral Moreno reported on the Pakistan military operations against OMF in the Khyber area of FATA. In Afghanistan, the OMF are shifting to greater asymmetric attacks, while ISAF continues its focus in RC-South. Several PermReps challenged the report by UN U/SG John Holmes, which noted over 600 civilian deaths in Afghanistan, but expressed concern about the impact on public opinion.
-- Balkans: The CMC said UNMIK's new chief Lamberto Zannier has received a "green light" to reconfigure UNMIK, but the new concept of operations for the UNMIK Police is still being drafted in New York. The CMC reported that KFOR structures related to the implementation of NATO New Tasks in Kosovo are only manned at 24 percent of authorized strength. Charge Olson expressed concern about the composition of EULEX and the lack of insight into EULEX's plans. The SYG seconded the Charge's comments and suggested the NAC invite EULEX commander de Kermabon to brief in an informal format on EULEX's plans.
-- Africa - Support to the AU: The SYG highlighted a number of positive steps underway to strengthen the relationship between NATO and the AU, including responding to a formal AU request for training assistance, solidifying current liaison arrangements, and expanding cooperation. However, an outstanding request for airlift support to deploy a Burundian Battalion to Somalia remains unfulfilled.
-- Iraq: The SYG reported that the NTM-I out-of-cycle review passed NAC silence on July 1, and will serve as a good basis to respond to PM al-Maliki's request to enhance support to NTM-I.
-- IBAN Activities Report for 2007: The Chairman of the International Board of Auditors for NATO (IBAN) highlighted the progress made by NATO bodies in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), urged accelerated closure of old NSIP projects, and repeated IBAN's concerns regarding MBC allocation of the Military Budget.
-- AOB: The SYG asked for Allies' opinions on visiting Batumi during the NAC's September 4-5 visit to Georgia. Allies were split and agreed to continue the discussion next week at an informal Tuesday "Coffee" meeting.
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END SUMMARY.
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Afghanistan
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2. (C/NF) The SYG took the opportunity to welcome the new CMC, Admiral Giampaolo De Paola.
3. (C/NF) The SYG stated that Afghanistan's voter registration will be conducted October 5, 2008, through February 2, 2009, and that the NAC would benefit from military advice from SHAPE by July 22 on military preparations for the registration and elections. He also announced that UN SRSG Kai Eide will visit Islamabad this week, calling it "a timely and important visit."
4. (C/NF) The SYG said he had received a letter from Afghan DefMin Wardak on June 26, urging expansion of the ANA to 122K troops plus a training float of 12K, for a total force of 134K. This request will be submitted to the JCMB for approval in September, and in the meantime, the NAC desires military advice from SHAPE. U.S. Charge Olson delivered Washington guidance, noting that the U.S. fully supports Wardak's request, that we are consulting with Congress, and that there will be implications for the number of OMLTs required to support the larger ANA.
5. (C/NF) CMC De Paola stated that in the Arghandab fighting near Kandahar, ISAF supported ANA operations in the wake of the Sarpoza prison breakout, and said that one nation had contributed U.S. 4 million to repair the prison. 700 of the ANA troops in the operation now have orders to redeploy back to Kabul, which will leave one Company of ANA, plus 200 ANP and 90 NDS forces, on the ground.
6. (C/NF) The CMC said that the ANSF consultations with nations on ANSF plans to take responsibility for security in Kabul city in August will begin July 3.
7. (C/NF) Admiral Moreno provided the operational brief, stating that the Pakistan military operations against OMF in the Khyber area of FATA had a predominantly propaganda purpose. The operation was not intensive and the enemy was not a major group involved in cross-border activities. Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud had responded by suspending all peace negotiations with GoP until the operation ends.
8. (C/NF) In Afghanistan, the OMF are shifting to greater use of asymmetric attacks, while ISAF continues its focus in RC-South. In RC-Capital, ISAF has found 80 weapons caches in 2008, an increase over 22 during a similar period of 2007. Operational priority is in Musahi and Surobi valleys. In RC-North, the Kunduz/Baghlan remains a focus of OMF. In RC-West, there is the normal level of OMF activity, and ISAF and ANA are continuing to support the ANP's development and FDD (Focused District Development) plan. In RC-South, Helmand continues to be the operational focus. The OMF are reluctant to engage in direct confrontation. ANSF and Task Force Helmand are conducting ops in Kajaki/Musa Qala area in
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north. In south, the 24th MEU continues to find unexploded ordnance and is planning a transfer of responsibility to a combined ANA/TF Helmand force in August. Major operations in Kandahar associated with the prison break and Arghandab district operations have concluded. In RC-East, the key threat remains IEDs. ISAF and ANSF are operating to block OMF border infiltration.
9. (C/NF) RADM Moreno noted a late-breaking report that a U.S. Blackhawk helicopter had been downed in RC-East by an RPG, with no casualties. No further information was given.
10. (C/NF) Spanish PermRep Benavides (supported by Germany) commented on the report by UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA) John Holmes which states that 698 civilians died in the conflict in Afghanistan during the first half of the year, 255 of whom were killed by government or international forces. Benavides noted that these statistics are much higher than ISAF's and should be responded to promptly and by capitals. The UN report, he said, is not favorable nor objective. Norwegian PermRep Traavik agreed, adding that UNAMA officials in Kabul also had expressed concerns about Holmes' methodology. A PermRep asked whether the difference in figures could be attributed to civilian casualties caused by ANA and OEF. RADM Moreno noted that ICRC is familiar with and satisfied with ISAF's rules of engagement and procedures for investigating civilian casualties.
11. (C/NF) The SYG concluded by saying he would lead a process to carefully scrutinize NATO's own methodology for calculating civilian casualties, and provide a public briefing on the process next week. This would lead to an exchange of views with UN in New York to compare NATO and UN methodologies. He also pledged to promote regular, event-driven exchanges with UN U/SG Holmes and OCHA to avoid surprises and miscommunication.
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Balkans
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12. (C/NF) The SYG reported that Kosovo Serbs held an inaugural session of the Assembly of the Union of Municipalities of Kosovo in North Mitrovica on June 28. UNMIK and Pristina had contested this action as an attempt to consolidate parallel structures and Pristina continues to look to the international community to lead on a political response.
13. (C/NF) The CMC said NATO Military Authorities assess that the authorities in Kosovo are unlikely to take direct action to reassert control over Kosovo Serb enclaves, but will rely on the international community to facilitate Kosovo's sovereignty and formal recognition. CMC said UNMIK's new chief Lamberto Zannier has said he has received a "green light" to reconfigure UNMIK, but the new concept of operations for the UNMIK Police is still being drafted in New York. The CMC said that KPS and Kosovo authority have said that if the new concept continues to allow for Kosovo-Serb policemen in the north to report only to the international
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police, they would consider it as supporting Kosovo Serb attempts to strengthen parallel structures.
14. (C/NF) The CMC reported that KFOR structures directly related to the implementation of NATO New Tasks in Kosovo are only manned at 24 percent of authorized strength. If this under-staffing continues, NATO could be seen as an impediment to the development of the new Kosovo security structures.
15. (C/NF) Charge Olson expressed concern about the composition of EULEX and the lack of insight into EULEX's plans. The SYG seconded the Charge's comments and suggested the NAC invite EULEX commander de Kermabon to brief in an informal format on EULEX's plans. There was no objection among Perm Reps to the SYG's proposal.
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Africa - Support to the AU
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16. (C/NF) The SYG highlighted a number of positive steps underway to strengthen the relationship between NATO and the AU, including a formal AU request for training assistance, solidifying current liaison arrangements, and expanding cooperation. However, an outstanding request for airlift support to deploy a Burundian battalion to Somalia remains unfulfilled.
17. (C/NF) The SYG noted Tuesday's productive discussion on Africa (at the PermReps' lunch) and also brought attention to the Note Verbale from the AU Commission requesting assistance to the African Standby Force (ASF) though a three-phased approach. The SYG said this should be seen as a follow-up to the December 2007 Note Verbale from the AU. The SYG informed the NAC that he is referring the AU request to the Military Committee (MC) for military advice. Following staff-to-staff discussions, the MC will draft a report.
18. (C/NF) Regarding the NATO-AU Liaison Position, the CMC said the MC is considering a proposal to convert the current temporary 6-month liaison officer position with the AU into a permanent position (if approved by the MC and NAC).
19. (C/NF) The CMC also drew attention to the unfulfilled request (with responses due to the MC by June 25) for airlift support for a Burundian Battalion destined for AMISOM. He also noted that deployment support could be provided through a funds transfer or commercial flights (at an estimated cost of 650,000 euro).
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Iraq
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20. (C/NF) The SYG reported that the NTM-I out-of-cycle review passed NAC silence on July 1, and will serve as a good basis to respond to PM al-Maliki's request to enhance support to NTM-I.
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IBAN Activities Report for 2007
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21. (SBU/NF) Wieslaw Kurzyca, Chairman of the International Board of Auditors for NATO (IBAN), briefed the Council on the activities of the Board last year. Kurzyca specifically highlighted the status of NATO body compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), which was a factor in several qualified audit opinions. He stressed the need for additional work by the NATO Office of Resources, the Infrastructure Committee, and nations to close old NSIP projects. He also reiterated the Board's concern about the NAC's delegation of budgetary authority to the Military Budget Committee under its new Terms of Reference (TORs). Several nations thanked Kurzyca for the IBAN's work and supported the continued implementation of IPSAS and efforts to address the NSIP issue. Nations urged a stronger focus on performance audits by IBAN and stressed rotation of auditors. Some nations shared the IBAN's concerns about budget delegation, others, including the U.S., dissented, stating that the Council still sets the budget ceilings. As was the case last year, it was concluded that the NAC had taken decisions on the TORs and should allow the agreed-upon two-year review period to pass before revisiting those decisions.
--- AOB ---
22. (C/NF) AOB: The SYG briefed Allies on the NAC's September 4-5 visit to Georgia. He then asked Allies whether they wanted to meet with President Saakashvili in Batumi. Allies' opinions were mixed; some (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Canada and the U.S.) supported the idea while others (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal and Spain) opposed the proposal. Charge Olson intervened in support of visiting Batumi. Because Allies could not reach consensus, the SYG said the Perm Reps would continue the discussion during the Perm Reps informal lunch next week.
23. (C/NF) Poland briefed Allies on the recent "Friends of Georgia" meeting in Warsaw during which participants discussed Georgian military reforms, relations with Russia, territorial integrity, support for MAP, visa questions and trade issues. OLSON
