C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000061

SIPDIS


EUR FOR BETH JONES AND HEATHER CONLEY
NSC FOR DAN FRIED AND DAMON WILSON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2015
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA PM CONSIDERING IRAQ DEPLOYMENT: "WE'RE
NOT NEUTRAL ANYMORE"

REF: LJUBLJANA 20

Classified By: COM Thomas B. Robertson Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)



1. (C) On January 27, I called Prime Minister Jansa to
express my appreciation for his statement on Iraq at his
January 25 Brussels' press conference. (NOTE: Jansa was
quoted as saying Slovenia will consider sending troops to
Iraq to train the local security forces there..."We will
consider and debate (these issues). We expect the situation
in Iraq will improve after Sunday's election. As a NATO
member, we will do everything we can to contribute to future
stability.") I said both Brussels and Washington would take
note of his statement, mentioned the considerable -- and
largely unfavorable -- coverage his statement had elicited
domestically, and emphasized that it was important that the
GOS not backtrack in its commitment to go forward with its
review. Jansa thanked me for my call and said this was a
necessary first step. He chuckled at the press reaction,
since this was not a change in policy, but, rather a
commitment to review policy. When I noted that the Tito days
of non-alignment were long gone and the press needed to
remember that, Jansa agreed, saying, "We're now part of NATO;
we're not neutral any more."


2. (C) Jansa further explained that the government had
discussed this issue and was fully unified about the need to
revisit the GOS position on Iraq. He indicated Defense
Minister Erjavec will travel soon to meet with NATO defense
ministers in Nice, where he will discuss NATO's needs in Iraq
after the election. In a surprise for me, the PM then added
that last week Slovenia had sent EUR 5 million worth of
weapons and equipment (17,000 pieces) to Iraq. (Note: We're
trying to track down the details on this.) Referring to our
earlier discussion (reftel) on caveats for Slovenians
assigned to NATO billets, he added that the government had
lifted all such caveats. There would now be no further
limits on Slovenians in NATO slots serving in third countries
(such as Iraq).


3. (C) Comment: Jansa spoke confidently, and I came away
with the feeling that his statement at Brussels was no
accident, but the first part of a strategy to find a way for
the GOS to be more forthcoming in Iraq. (This was confirmed
in a discussion the DCM had with one of Jansa's staffers the
same day.) Jansa had told me in two earlier meetings that
Iraq would be difficult. It certainly is, especially given
the considerable, and largely negative, coverage the press
gives to any mention of a Slovenian role in Iraq. But as a
former defense minister who clearly believes in NATO, and
understands that with membership comes serious
responsibilities, Jansa is probably our best hope to bring
about some change. The almost hysterical reaction of former
PM Rop, now in opposition, to Jansa's Brussels statement,
however, indicates that the opposition will do whatever it
can to make more political hay over an any suggestion that
Slovenia puts boots on the ground in Iraq. And the press
will only pile on. Clearly, Jansa's task will be made easier
by progress on the ground in Iraq after elections, and any
success we have during the President's trip to Europe in
bringing some of our more recalcitrant allies on board.

ROBERTSON


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2005LJUBLJ00061 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL



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