SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD LA

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000857

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

FOR MAJOR GENERAL LA FOUNTAINE FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL PGOV PINR LO NATO
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD LA
FOUNTAINE, DIRECTOR, J4, EUROPEAN COMMAND, STUTTGART,
GERMANY



1. (U) Summary and Introduction: Welcome to Slovakia! I
expect that you will have a productive visit on September 21
and learn first-hand how US security assistance programs
have enabled Slovakia to significantly contribute to greater
regional security and enhanced NATO interoperability. I look
forward to meeting with you.


2. (SBU) In addition to seeing how U.S. assistance is
helping the reform and modernization efforts of the Slovak
military, your visit provides the opportunity to:

--thank the government of Slovakia (GOS) for its
contribution to OEF, OIF and ISAF, encouraging them to
continue to contribute to the war on terrorism despite the
recent barbaric attacks on military forces and civilian
populations of coalition members;

--encourage the GOS to stay the course on military reform
and professionalization, especially in the area of NCO
development.

Political Dynamics
--------------


3. (SBU) Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda's government is a
center-right coalition made up of four parties that were
elected in the fall of 2002 to a four-year term. Although
this government is more ideologically coherent than its
predecessor, also led by Dzurinda, it has faced onsiderable
challenges since its formation. Dzurinda recalled Minister
of Defense Ivan Simko in September 2003 for what he
described as insubordation. Simko would not support the
PM's decision to recall the head of the National Security
Office (NBU),which issues NATO security clearances. Juraj
Liska, a member of Dzurinda's party and former mayor of
Trencin, was named Defense Minister in October. Liska is
also committed to defense reform; he recently visited Iraq
will travel to the U.S. September 18.


4. (SBU) The September 14 visit of Deputy Secretary of State
Richard Armitage reinforced the positive Slovak-U.S.
relationship, emphasizing that Slovakia is a partner with
whom the U.S. consults on world affairs. The GOS reiterated
its commitment to stay the course in Iraq and Afghanistan,
and to live up to its NATO commitments.

OIF/OEF/ISAF
--------------


5. (SBU) Per capita, Slovakia is one of the most active
international peace-keeping nations with approximately 700
personnel deployed in 10 missions. The GOS, with only
minimal public backing, strongly supported the war in Iraq
and sent a chem-bio consequence management unit to Kuwait
under Czech command. After the end of hostilities, the unit
(82-strong) was replaced with an engineering unit (104
soldiers) that is currently deployed in the Polish sector.


State Partnership Program (SPP)
--------------


6. (SBU) Indiana is Slovakia's State Partner. In FY04, 5
events were conducted with the Indiana National Guard. The
impact of Indiana National Guard units mobilized in support
of OEF and OIF significantly reduced the number of events
Indiana was able to support during the year. For FY-05, a
total of 14 events have been planned, with the focus on
peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism small unit
exchanges. These would include up to a platoon size unit
exchange between the Indiana National Guard and the Slovak
military.

Foreign Military Financing (FMF)
--------------


7. (SBU) The Slovak MOD's focus on equipment has been on
defense reform, communications equipment, the Air
Sovereignty Operations Center (ASOC) air surveillance
system, simulations training systems, tactical
communications equipment, small unit equipment, and language
labs. Slovakia received $6.55M in FMF this fiscal year.
There have been some delays in processing paperwork for
acquisitions due to factors such as reorganization of the
responsible office and lack of English language ability.
ODC has offered additional training. You should emphasize
the need to process paperwork expeditiously in order to take

full advantage of FMF funds.

International Military and Educational Training (IMET)
-------------- --------------


8. (SBU) Slovakia has participated in the IMET program
since 1993. The current focus of training has been on
improving NATO niche capabilities. Professional military
education courses include: military police, engineer,
chemical, command and general staff colleges, war colleges,
and English language training. A significant amount of these
courses also involve NCO training. Funding for the FY04
IMET program is currently at $1.075M with a proposal for
$950K in FY05.

Military Reform
--------------

9. (SBU) The update of the Long Term Plan continues as the
primary focus of the Ministry of Defense and the General
Staff. The current effort is focused on updating the
structure of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff and
the Armed Forces. The updated Long Term Plan will be the
basis for developing the Defense Planning Guidance 2006-2011
in October.

Officer Education and Training Program
--------------

10. (SBU) The Law on the Establishment of the National
Defense Academy (NDA) was signed by the Slovak President.
This is a major milestone in the overall process of
reforming Slovak Leader Development along western lines. The
NDA's Center for Career Development (CCD),which has the
responsibility for providing officer training in the various
stages of an officer's career, can greatly benefit from
leadership and technical expert courses offered by the US.
In October, a military education team (MET) from the Defense
International Institute for Legal Studies (DIILS) will
provide training on several leadership areas.

11. (SBU) Enlisted Training Program. Creating a
professional force and implementing the role of the NCO in
the Slovak Armed Forces remains a major objective of
professional development reform. The new Basic Combat
Training (BCT) Battalion was activated 1 July 2004 and will
start training with the new nine weeks Basic Training
Program of Instruction in October 2004. Thirty-one
candidates have been selected for Drill Sergeant School to
support the Basic Combat Training Program. The Advanced
Individual Training (AIT) Course begins in January 2005.

THAYER


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