Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUCHAREST143
2006-01-26 15:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:
ROMANIAN COMMITMENT REMAINS FIRM IN AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO3108 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBM #0143 0261532 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 261532Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3512 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/USAREUR ACE DARMSTADT GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL MARR AF IZ RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIAN COMMITMENT REMAINS FIRM IN AFGHANISTAN
AND IRAQ
Classified By: Political Section Chief Robert Gilchrist
for Reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000143
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL MARR AF IZ RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIAN COMMITMENT REMAINS FIRM IN AFGHANISTAN
AND IRAQ
Classified By: Political Section Chief Robert Gilchrist
for Reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
1. (C) During a recent press interview, Defense Minister
Teodor Atanasiu stated that Romania would reevaluate its
troop presence in Iraq and Afghanistan at the end of 2006,
adding that "for the time being, the Iraqi and Afghan armies
are not capable of taking over the Romanian Army's mission."
Some media reports January 26 emphasized that the GOR would
consider withdrawing some of its troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan in 2007, citing Atanasiu's statement that "we
will decide by the end of the year if we pull out part of our
troops from the missions." Mihaela Matei, the Director of
the MOD Strategic Affairs Directorate told PolMilOff January
26 that Romanian policy toward Afghanistan and Iraq was
unchanged, underscoring that Romanian troops would remain in
Iraq and Afghanistan until Iraqis and Afghanis are able to
ensure their own security. Referring to a "journalistic
misinterpretation" of Atanasiu's remarks, she continued that
Romania was not planning any unilateral withdrawals and that
its 2006 deployments were accounted for in the current
budget. She concluded by noting that "as in the U.S.,
Romania's interest is to progressively reduce its troops in
the years to come...but will reduce troops (in Afghanistan
and Iraq) only when they can take over their own security."
In a separate discussion January 26, MFA USA and Canada
Division Director Catalin Ionita stressed to PolMilOff that
Romania's policy in Iraq and Afghanistan remained unchanged,
observing that President Basescu stated "just a few days ago"
that Romania would stay the course in Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. (C) Comment: Ionita was alluding to Basescu's
widely-publicized January 20 remarks to diplomats accredited
in Bucharest in which Basescu stated that Romania "will
maintain all (its) previously assumed commitments. Romania
will not diminish its participation either in Iraq, in
Afghanistan or in the Western Balkans...As far as Iraq is
concerned, I should like to mention something: the Romanian
troops will remain in Iraq until the Iraqi government
requires Romania to withdraw its troops from Iraqi soil...A
potential withdrawal of the Romanian troops from Iraq can
take place at the request of the government in Baghdad and in
full agreement with our allies in Iraq." Basescu has
privately and publicly expressed the same sentiments on
numerous prior occasions. That said, Romanian interlocutors,
including Basescu and DefMin Atanasiu, have told us they
would welcome an opportunity to reduce the Romanian troop
presence in Afghanistan and Iraq - but only when the security
situation warrants a reduction and only after consultation
with allies. Indeed, in Afghanistan, Romania is taking on
increased responsibilities under ISAF. End Comment.
3. (U) Amembassy Bucharest's reporting telegrams are
available on
the Bucharest SIPRNet website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest
TAUBMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2016
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL MARR AF IZ RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIAN COMMITMENT REMAINS FIRM IN AFGHANISTAN
AND IRAQ
Classified By: Political Section Chief Robert Gilchrist
for Reasons 1.4 (a),(b) and (d)
1. (C) During a recent press interview, Defense Minister
Teodor Atanasiu stated that Romania would reevaluate its
troop presence in Iraq and Afghanistan at the end of 2006,
adding that "for the time being, the Iraqi and Afghan armies
are not capable of taking over the Romanian Army's mission."
Some media reports January 26 emphasized that the GOR would
consider withdrawing some of its troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan in 2007, citing Atanasiu's statement that "we
will decide by the end of the year if we pull out part of our
troops from the missions." Mihaela Matei, the Director of
the MOD Strategic Affairs Directorate told PolMilOff January
26 that Romanian policy toward Afghanistan and Iraq was
unchanged, underscoring that Romanian troops would remain in
Iraq and Afghanistan until Iraqis and Afghanis are able to
ensure their own security. Referring to a "journalistic
misinterpretation" of Atanasiu's remarks, she continued that
Romania was not planning any unilateral withdrawals and that
its 2006 deployments were accounted for in the current
budget. She concluded by noting that "as in the U.S.,
Romania's interest is to progressively reduce its troops in
the years to come...but will reduce troops (in Afghanistan
and Iraq) only when they can take over their own security."
In a separate discussion January 26, MFA USA and Canada
Division Director Catalin Ionita stressed to PolMilOff that
Romania's policy in Iraq and Afghanistan remained unchanged,
observing that President Basescu stated "just a few days ago"
that Romania would stay the course in Afghanistan and Iraq.
2. (C) Comment: Ionita was alluding to Basescu's
widely-publicized January 20 remarks to diplomats accredited
in Bucharest in which Basescu stated that Romania "will
maintain all (its) previously assumed commitments. Romania
will not diminish its participation either in Iraq, in
Afghanistan or in the Western Balkans...As far as Iraq is
concerned, I should like to mention something: the Romanian
troops will remain in Iraq until the Iraqi government
requires Romania to withdraw its troops from Iraqi soil...A
potential withdrawal of the Romanian troops from Iraq can
take place at the request of the government in Baghdad and in
full agreement with our allies in Iraq." Basescu has
privately and publicly expressed the same sentiments on
numerous prior occasions. That said, Romanian interlocutors,
including Basescu and DefMin Atanasiu, have told us they
would welcome an opportunity to reduce the Romanian troop
presence in Afghanistan and Iraq - but only when the security
situation warrants a reduction and only after consultation
with allies. Indeed, in Afghanistan, Romania is taking on
increased responsibilities under ISAF. End Comment.
3. (U) Amembassy Bucharest's reporting telegrams are
available on
the Bucharest SIPRNet website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest
TAUBMAN