PRT/QALAT Q ROMANIAN INTEREST IN PROVINCIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 002342

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, S/CT, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO USAID FOR AID/ANE, AID/DCHA/DG
NSC FOR AHARRIMAN, KAMEND
OSD FOR BREZINSKI
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD

E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER MARR RO AF
SUBJECT: PRT/QALAT Q ROMANIAN INTEREST IN PROVINCIAL
RECONSTRUCTION TEAM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH
CAUTION

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1.Q(SBU) During a recent UN Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan (UNAMA) training program on Provincial
Reconstruction Teams (PRTs),Romanian
representatives, all from the Ministry of Defense,
privately expressed their strong interest in taking
over the US PRT in Qalat, given Romanian troop
experience in the area. They acknowledged,
however, that the Romanian MFA and other civilian
agencies remain to be convinced about the wisdom of
Romania leading a PRT. They noted limitations and
caveats that constrain a possible Romanian
contribution (below).


2. (SBU) We are not sure this idea has any traction
in Bucharest. We would like to suggest, however,
that the Department consider the idea in Washington
and inform Embassy Bucharest of USG views, so that
if it arises the Embassy can respond appropriately.


3. (SBU) On May 5, the Romanian preliminary survey
team provided the Regional Command Q South (RC-S)
PRT officer an outline of their plans for the
deployment of Romanian troops to the RC and to Zabul
Province in July. The two Romanian deployments will
be set up as separate entities, and troops and
equipment will not be transferred between them. The
contingent assigned to the RC Headquarters at
Kandahar Air Field (KAF) will have slightly less
capacity than the Romanian contingent currently
there, which contributes to base security. In
particular, they will not have enough troops at KAF
to be able to man the various watch stations and
also patrol outside the base due to a national
caveat on how many men are the minimum for a patrol.
The shortfall will have to be made up by another
nation. In Zabul, the Romanians will cover the
central part of the province, but will not be able
to cover all of the Forward Operating Bases due to a
shortage of personnel (the Romanian team plans to
ask their headquarters for an additional platoon to
eliminate this shortfall). The Romanian team
outlined areas in which the Romanian forces will
need assistance from other nations. These include:
logistics (air transportation, as well as supply
trucking),classified communications and medical
evacuation. The task force will also not have
personnel to cover Civil-Military Affairs,
Information Operations and certain intelligence
functions. The Romanians will also not bring a
political advisor (POLAD). In summary, the
Romanians are very dedicated to their mission here,
but resource limitations mean they will be seeking
assistance at NATO HQs and from several nations on a
bilateral basis.


4. (SBU) This approach could have important
implications if they take over the PRT. Certainly
we would welcome an opportunity to relieve the US
military presence in Qalat and replace it with
Romanian forces. We must ensure, however, that we
maintain the performance of the PRT during and after
the transition. Qalat PRT is responsible for Zabol
province, one of four critical southern provinces.
Should we, nevertheless, decide on a handover, we
would recommend that we maintain a small

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State/AID/DOD civil-military affairs contingent with
some force protection and access to CommanderQs
Emergency Response Program (CERP) and AID Quick
Impact Program (QIP) funding. If we rely only on
Romanian planning and assets, we may miss
opportunities to improve the situation there at a
crucial time.

NEUMANN