OSCE: CIO POSITIVE BUT CAUTIOUS ON IRAQ POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002096 SIPDIS EUR FOR DAS BRADTKE E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X6 TAGS: UK IZ NL OSCE KINL SUBJECT: OSCE: CIO POSITIVE BUT CAUTIOUS ON IRAQ POLICE MISSION REF: SECSTATE 240159 Classified By: DCM Daniel Russel Reason 1.5 (d) ¶1. This is an action request - please see para 3. ¶2. DCM conveyed reftel points to Daan Everts, the Dutch CiO's Personal Representative. Everts, while agreeing that an assessment team is desirable, was unwilling to give a "yes" to the proposal in advance of his meeting with FM de Hoop Scheffer on August 22. Everts commented that careful, advanced networking is required to ensure success. To send an assessment team outside the OSCE area, it is vital to consult key OSCE members (Russia, France, Germany, and possibly Italy as EU president) in advance. Everts opined that the Russians, whose support is key, might be likely to agree if the request was posed from an anti-terrorism angle. Following agreement by key members, an assessment team could be ready for travel within a "few weeks." A senior police team member in the OSCE Secretariat would be assigned to pull together an appropriate assessment team. ¶3. Action Request: In order to strengthen the case for an assessment team with the FM, Everts asked the U.S. to provide additional information by COB Thursday, August 21. Everts asked why the CPA would prefer an OSCE versus bilateral police training mission. He also requested further details of what the USG has in mind, both in terms of an assessment team and the mission. ¶4. Comment: Everts is clearly supportive of the idea of an OSCE police mission in Iraq and will make a strong case to FM de Hoop Scheffer to agree to the assessment mission. Everts is nevertheless concerned that approval by the OSCE for a police mission in Iraq will be difficult. In addition to the fact that it will be a large undertaking, he recalled the problems in obtaining "Partner for Cooperation" status for Afghanistan, another country outside the OSCE area. End Note. SOBEL