Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05BERLIN48
2005-01-07 11:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:  

GERMAN REQUEST FOR MILAIR TRANSPORT OF GERMAN

Tags:  PREL MARR ASEC IZ GM 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 000048 

SIPDIS

FROM AMBASSADOR COATS
DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, NSC FOR DAMON WILSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC IZ GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN REQUEST FOR MILAIR TRANSPORT OF GERMAN
BORDER POLICE AND DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL TO BAGHDAD

Classified By: Ambassador Daniel Coats. Reasons: 1.4 (b) & (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BERLIN 000048

SIPDIS

FROM AMBASSADOR COATS
DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, NSC FOR DAMON WILSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/06/2014
TAGS: PREL MARR ASEC IZ GM
SUBJECT: GERMAN REQUEST FOR MILAIR TRANSPORT OF GERMAN
BORDER POLICE AND DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL TO BAGHDAD

Classified By: Ambassador Daniel Coats. Reasons: 1.4 (b) & (d)


1. (SBU) Paragraph 3 below provides an informal translation
of a diplomatic note from the German Foreign Ministry
requesting USG agreement for transport of German Border
Police (BGS) and Diplomats via US military aircraft (MilAir)
between Ramstein Airbase and Baghdad. The BGS agents will be
providing security for the German Embassy in Baghdad. Use of
commercial air traffic is not optional due to transport of
required weapons and ammunition. The Germans propose that
the first such transport would occur during the week of
February 14, 2005. The FRG agrees to pay for the cost of
transporting personnel, baggage and equipment.


2. (C) There are several good reasons why we should give this
request serious consideration:

-- The German Federal Border Guards (GSG-9) have a long
history of close cooperation with the USG. They provided
physical security for US military bases in Germany when US
security forces were deployed to Iraq, thereby freeing
thousands of US soldiers to conduct other tasks.

-- Most USG flights into Baghdad transit or originate at
Ramstein airbase in Germany. An average of 3-5 aircraft
(C-17s or C-5s, etc.) fly out of Ramstein each week en route
to Baghdad. USAFE advises that, given sufficient advance
notice, it is possible to secure a block of 10-14 seats on
flights from Ramstein to Baghdad.

-- The Germans will pay for all transport costs. Although an
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement cannot be used
since the personnel involved are not military personnel, an
arrangement for payment can be established, as outlined in
the Deputy Defense Secretary's Memorandum of December 11,

2003. Thus the transport of German personnel would not
entail an additional uncompensated cost to the USG and could
in fact be used to offset costs.

-- In addition to the ability to offset USG costs, we would
dictate when the Germans fly in order to ensure that the
transport of FRG personnel and equipment does not conflict
with USG operational requirements.


-- The convoy route previously used between Baghdad and
Kuwait has been closed. Weight and security restrictions on
commercial flights to Baghdad prohibit the transfer of
weapons and equipment. The leasing of a commercial aircraft
solely for this purpose would be prohibitively expensive. If
Germany is unable to transport security personnel, ammunition
and equipment to support its mission in Iraq in a cost
effective manner there is a risk that they will close their
Embassy.

-- The loss of additional personnel in a situation similar to
the April '04 ambush of a German diplomatic convoy from
Kuwait to Baghdad, would place increased pressure on the FRG
to justify their presence in Iraq, an operation that is
already their most expensive overseas mission fiscally and
one that is not popular domestically.

-- It is in our interest to keep an active German diplomatic
presence in Iraq. The presence of a German Embassy is a
symbolic demonstration of USG progress towards forging a new
Iraq. Closure or curtailment of operations of the German
Embassy would undermine the perception that we are creating a
more stable and secure Iraq.

-- Even though the FRG has been difficult to work with on
some issues, the Germans have made and are continuing to make
significant indirect contributions to our efforts in Iraq by
providing over-flight rights, unhindered use of our military
facilities, base security and significant support for GWOT
actions outside of Iraq. Without FRG cooperation and
contributions our operations in Iraq would be greatly
impaired.

-- The FRG is also supporting our efforts in Iraq by training
Iraqi police and military personnel in UAE. The FRG is
considering participating in a proposed EU police-training
mission. In addition, the FRG agreed to allow the NATO
training mission in Iraq, although they have chosen not to
participate.

-- If we grant the request, it will symbolize a renewed
spirit of cooperation. Given that the first transport has
been requested for the week of February 14, just before the
Bush-Schroeder Summit on February 23, the agreement could be
presented as a simple, painless and cost free "deliverable"
at the upcoming Summit and would offer a far greater return
than any resulting inconvenience.

3.(SBU) Unofficial Translation:

Foreign Office
GZ: 301-320.21 IRQ

Verbal Note

The Foreign Office has the honor to submit to the Embassy of
the United States of America the following request:

The Foreign Office refers to the circular note of the Iraqi
Foreign Ministry from June 11, 2003 to foreign missions, in
which it stated "that the Coalition Provisional Authority has
announced that members of Foreign Liaison Offices in Iraq
enter and remain in Iraq at their own risk. The Coalition
Provisional Authority cannot,(, guarantee the safety or
security of a foreign liaison mission or its personnel." At
the same time, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry pointed out in its
circular note that "Foreign liaison officials may bring into
Iraq and/or maintain their own security forces(".

Notwithstanding the basic position regarding the status of
foreign missions in Iraq, the Federal Government carries out
its own security measures in Baghdad as well as upon entry
and departure. Members of the Federal Border Police have
been protecting the real estate of the German Embassy in
Baghdad and the German diplomats working there.

The diplomatic personnel of the German Embassy in Baghdad,
including the officers of the Federal Border Police,
currently use civil airlines for entry to and departure from
Baghdad. Due to the security provisions required by the
airlines, it is not possible to take along excess baggage,
and, in particular, weapons and ammunition. Therefore, in
light of the above-described position of the Iraqi Foreign
Ministry, the Federal Government cannot sufficiently provide
adequate security measures.

Recent developments in the security situation in Iraq have
increased the risks for the employees of the German Embassy
in Baghdad. Without optimal security measures, the long-term
presence of the German Embassy in Baghdad would be put into
question.

Therefore the Federal Government requests the Embassy of the
United States of America and responsible U.S. Government
Ministries or Agencies to permit United States Air Force
transport of security personnel assigned to the German
Embassy in Baghdad on military aircraft flights from Ramstein
to Baghdad.

The Federal Border Police rotates its security personnel at
the German Embassy in Baghdad every three months. The next
rotations will take place in February and May 2005,
respectively. The rotation will be organized in two
contingents of five officers each. Due to the required
transfer of tasks on site, the timeframe for each rotation
phase takes up to two weeks. The following schedule is
planned for the personnel rotation in February 2005:
Departure of five officers from Germany in the 7th calendar
week (as of February 14, 2005),about a week later (as of
February 21, 2005) another five officers should depart, and
on the same day, five other officers should return to
Germany. A week later (as of February 28, 2005),a return
flight for the remaining five officers should be scheduled.
The personnel exchange would then be completed.

The officers are taking along baggage with a total weight of
150 kg per person. This includes command and control and
operational equipment (including weapons and ammunition).

The Foreign Office proposes that prior to each planned
personnel exchange, Referat 107 of the Foreign Office will
inform the Embassy of the United States of America, or
another entity to be named by the Embassy of the United
States of America, about all details of the planned exchange.
The Foreign Office would appreciate receiving information on
points of contact, on the - from your perspective - required
time of notification for each request from the Foreign
Office, and on any further details that may be required from
the Foreign Office.

In addition to the officers, exchange, transportation of
unaccompanied command and control equipment would be
appreciated in individual cases, for example, if essential
equipment fails, provided that it can,t wait until the next
rotation of personnel.

As a matter of course, the Foreign Office is willing to pay
the transportation costs of the officers and the baggage.

In light of the situation in Iraq the Foreign Office
would appreciate a swift response.

The Foreign Office avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest consideration.


Berlin, December 15, 2004


To the
Embassy of the
United States of America, Berlin

COATS