Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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03THEHAGUE3051 | 2003-12-11 15:57:00 | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | Embassy The Hague |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 003051 |
1. (C/NF) PM Balkenende's Foreign Policy Advisor (protect) passed to Amb. Sobel a copy of a French-British-German non Paper entitled "European Defence: NATO/EU Consultation, Planning and Operations" on December 11. Post transmits the text of the non paper in para 2. 2. (C) Begin text of French/British/German non paper: Building on the experience of EU civilian and military operations in 2003 and on the discussions on these issues between the UK, France and Germany, this paper sets out how the collective capability of the EU can be strengthened, including the ability to plan and run certain operations, and describes how consideration of the options involved would take place between EU partners and NATO allies. NATO is the forum for discussion and the natural choice for an operation including the European and American allies. In accordance with the EU/NATO permanent arrangements adopted in Nice, in a crisis contacts and meetings will be intensified so that EU and NATO can discuss assessments of the crisis and clarify their intentions regarding possible engagements. The experience of 2003 shows that these arrangements are fundamentally sound, providing for intensified consultation, while respecting fully the decision-making autonomy of both organisations. Where NATO as a whole is not engaged, the EU, in undertaking an operation, will choose whether or not to have recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, taking into account in particular the Alliance's role, capacities, and involvement in the region in question. That process will be conducted through the "Berlin plus" arrangements. In order to improve the preparation of EU operations having recourse to NATO assets and capabilities under Berlin plus arrangements, we propose that a small EU cell should be established at SHAPE and to invite NATO to establish liaison arrangements at the EUMS. It will also ensure full transparency between EU and NATO embodying their strategic partnership in crisis management. We also propose to enhance the capacity of the EUMS to conduct early warning, situation assessment and strategic planning through the establishment within the EUMS of a cell with civil/military components. It will in particular -- link work across the EU on anticipating crises, including opportunities for conflict prevention and post-conflict stabilisation; -- assist in planning and co-ordinating civilian operations; -- develop expertise in managing the civilian/military interface; -- do strategic advance planning for joint civil/military operations; -- reinforce the national HQ designated to conduct an EU autonomous operation. Regarding the conduct of autonomous EU military operations, the main option for this will be national HQs, which can be multi-nationalised for the purpose of conducting an EU-led operation. In certain circumstances, the Council may decide, upon the advice of the Military Committee, to draw on the collective capacity of the EUMS, in particular where a joint civilian/military response is required and where no national HQ is identified. Once such a decision was taken, the civilian/military cell in the EUMS would have responsibility for generating the capacity to plan and run the operation. This would not be a standing HQ. Rather it would be a capacity rapidly to set up an operation centre for a particular operation. The centre would operate separately from the strategic role of the EUMS; under a designated Operation Commander. This would require the necessary resources, including augmentation personnel, to be made available on short notice, by the EUMS and member states. A core staff, essentially "double hatted" from the EUMS, would be required to maintain the necessary level of readiness. To that effect the personnel of the EUMS could be reinforced, if necessary. In light of the lessons learned further developments of the scope or nature of this capacity could be examined. It would require further decision by the Council. End text of French/British/German non paper. SOBEL |