SLOVENIA PM CONSIDERING IRAQ DEPLOYMENT: "WE'RE

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 NNNN 2005LJUBLJ00061 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL v1.6.2