SCENESETTER FOR AMBASSADOR ROBERT LOFTIS

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000272

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (CHANGE PARA 13 MARKING TO MESSAGE)

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PM - AMB LOFTIS, PM/RSAT - KDOWLEY, AND EUR/NCE -
VTRIM,
OSD FOR JTOWNSEND AND MSADOWSKA
JOINT STAFF FOR MMANTIPLY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PGOV PREL PTER SI
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR AMBASSADOR ROBERT LOFTIS


1. (SBU) Ambassador Loftis: We welcome your visit to Slovenia
to hold bilateral Pol-Mil talks. These talks will provide an
excellent opportunity to:

- Thank Slovenia for its robust contributions to ongoing NATO
operations such as NTM-I, ISAF, and KFOR, as well as the
completed Hurricane Katrina and Pakistan Earthquake relief
operations;

- Engage Slovenia on our vision of NATO transformation,
including future enlargement, streamlined global
partnerships, a fully operational NATO Response Force (NRF),
and enhanced common funding;

- Encourage stronger cooperation in the areas of
counter-proliferation and counter terrorism;

- Push for additional contributions from Slovenia for civil
reconstruction in Afghanistan and fulfillment of its NATO
Force Goals.

--------------
PM JANSA,S TRANSATLANTIC RE-ORIENTATION
--------------


2. (U) In the fourteen years since gaining independence,
Slovenia has established a stable, prosperous, multi-party
democracy with a free press, an independent judiciary, and an
excellent human rights record. Slovenia became a member of
NATO on March 29, 2004, and a member of the European Union on
May 1, 2004. On October 3, 2004, Slovenia held parliamentary
elections that unseated the center-left parties that had
ruled with only a brief interruption since independence and
brought to power a center-right coalition under the
leadership of Prime Minister Janez Jansa.


3. (U) Jansa is a former Yugoslav-era dissident who served as
Minister of Defense from 1990-1994. During his time as
Defense Minister, Jansa presided over the transformation of
Slovenia,s Territorial Defense Force into an independent
military and subsequently spearheaded Slovenia's entry into
NATO,s Partnership for Peace. As a committed
transatlanticist, Jansa has sought to re-orient Slovenia,s
foreign policy by focusing more on Slovenia,s commitment to
NATO and the advancement of a common democracy agenda.


4. (SBU) The Jansa government made improved relations with
the United States a central plank in its 2004 election
campaign and has worked hard to make good on this promise.
Slovenia took a giant step forward in February 2006 when it
deployed four military trainers to the NATO Training Mission
) Iraq (NTM-I),thereby supporting an important U.S. foreign
policy priority. The reversal of its longstanding policy of
&no boots on the ground8 in Iraq spurred an intense media
debate over the issue. For its part, the GOS explained its
decision to the public using carefully crafted arguments
about Slovenia,s obligations to NATO and global security.
Despite an initial onslaught of criticism from the
center-left opposition, the deployment has come and gone
without any precipitous drop in support for the government.


5. (SBU) Slovenia views NATO as a cornerstone of
transatlantic security and favors continued expansion of the
alliance. You will find the Jansa administration more
receptive to what we are trying to accomplish around the
world than most previous Slovenian administrations. The GOS
has indicated it plans to host a Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI) container security exercise in May 2007 and
is currently in the process of exploring opportunities to
engage in civilian reconstruction in Afghanistan. We should
thank the Slovenes for these commitments and encourage them
to continue their military transformation and the fulfillment
of their NATO Force Goals.

--------------
FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES
--------------


6. (SBU) Now that Slovenia has finished its tenure as
Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE (which ended on December 31,
2005),it has begun to prepare for its next big challenge:
presiding over the EU in the first six months of 2008. The
EU presidency will bring a whole host of complex issues to
the front burner, from Common Agricultural Policy to ESDP to
combating extremism and resurrecting the EU,s moribund
constitutional treaty. Slovenia is measuring up to its
forthcoming responsibilities and trying to broaden its
expertise in areas that only a few years ago were largely off
the radar screen. This includes a welcome new receptivity to
supporting the President's freedom and democracy agenda in
areas as far flung as Cuba, Belarus, and Uzbekistan.
Slovenian President Drnovsek,s vocal support for
humanitarian causes in Darfur and elsewhere has also shifted
attention to parts of the globe that previously received
little attention.


7. (U) Despite the expanded horizons brought about by its
OSCE and EU responsibilities, Slovenia's primary strategic
focus remains the Western Balkans. Foreign Minister Rupel is
engaged with Kosovo's final status negotiations and Slovenia
is taking an active role in a special planning team that will
shape the future role of the EU in Kosovo once status has
been determined. Slovenia also plans to maintain a robust
military presence in Kosovo by deploying a Motorized
Battalion to KFOR in 2007, which will bring its total troop
strength to 640 soldiers.


8. (SBU) Slovenia is a strong advocate of Croatia's bid to
join NATO and the EU. Despite periodic political haggling
over its undefined maritime border with Croatia, deposits
owed to Croatian creditors by a bankrupt Ljubljana bank, and
the disposal of waste from a jointly owned nuclear power
plant, the GOS has hewed to its policy of advocating Croatian
membership in both organizations. Through the South East
European Clearing House (SEECH),the Southeast European
Cooperation Initiative (SECI),and the Southeast European
Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG),Slovenia remains active
in spurring defense and law enforcement cooperation
throughout the region. As a member of the Southeast European
Defense Ministerial (SEDM),Slovenia also is engaged in
promoting defense reform among its neighbors to the south and
east.

--------------
THE SLOVENIAN ARMED FORCES
--------------


9. (U) FORCE STRUCTURE: The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF)
continues the process of transformation, including
downsizing, modernizing, restructuring, and reorganizing, in
order to meet NATO Force Goals and its military commitments
to the EU. The SAF, primarily a ground-based force with
limited air and naval assets, are approximately a
division-size force composed of two major commands
subordinate to the General Staff: Forces Command; and the
Doctrine, Development, Training and Education Command
(DDTEC). Forces Command is composed of combat, combat
support, and combat service support elements. Within Forces
Command, the First Brigade provides combat forces, the 72nd
Brigade provides combat support (CS) forces, and Support
Command provides combat service support (CSS). DDTEC is
generally responsible for all training and doctrine
development missions, similar to the US Army Training and
Doctrine Command (TRADOC).


10. (U) PERSONNEL: The SAF is meeting its downsizing goal by
transforming itself from a primarily conscripted,
territorially oriented defense force of 87,000 personnel with
95 percent reserves. The SAF today is a professional
volunteer force currently consisting of approximately 7,300
(44%) active duty personnel, 1,300 (8%) contracted reserves,
and 8,000 (48%) conscripted reserves, and is restructuring to
become an expeditionary force capable of meeting its NATO and
EU responsibilities and obligations. The goal of the SAF is
to downsize the force by 2010 to 8,500 active duty personnel
and 5,500 contracted reserves.


11. (U) GOALS AND PRIORITIES: The overarching goals of the
SAF include strategic integration into NATO and the EU,
stabilization of the SAF structure and organization,
development of SAF capabilities for national defense and
integration within NATO and the EU, improving education and
training at the individual and collective level, developing
better logistics capabilities, and improving command and
control (C2) support systems.


12. (U) PROCUREMENT AND FORCE MODERNIZATION: The SAF,s
modernization and procurement objectives are focused on NATO
interoperability. Procurement in FY 2005 was focused on
equipping combat units and enhancing command and control
capabilities; continuing the process of upgrading individual
soldier combat gear and protective equipment; continuing the
procurement of wheeled-vehicle transportation assets in order
to upgrade SAF logistics support capabilities; investing in
the upgrading of Cerklje airbase, the sole military airfield
in Slovenia; and improving helicopter transport capabilities
and determining fixed-wing transport needs for the future.
The Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) assisted the SAF by
supporting some of its procurement objectives, specifically
with funding in the areas of High Mobility Multi-Wheeled
Vehicle (HMMWV) spare parts and Command, Control,
Communications, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) systems.

--------------
NATO Force Goals
--------------


13. (U) Shortly after joining NATO in March 2004, Slovenia
accepted or partially accepted 44 NATO Force Goals (NFGs),
rejecting none. Slovenia,s primary NFGs in 2004 included an
infantry battalion to be provided in rotations for up to six
months by 2012, an NBC battalion for the NATO Reaction Force
by 2009, and several combat support and combat service
support assets. In March 2006, Slovenia received 54
additional NATO Force Goal &Updates.8 It accepted or
partially accepted 53 of these and rejected one (Force
Protection for Deployed Air Units). With the additional 2006
NFG Updates, Slovenia is being asked to further increase the
number of deployable combat and combat support units. A new
high readiness reconnaissance company is being sought from
the end of 2012 and a military police company in 2008.
Slovenia is also being asked to provide more deployable
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and
Reconnaissance (ISTAR) assets. In terms of acquisitions,
NATO is asking Slovenia to procure 3 additional helicopters
and two light transport aircraft by 2011.

--------------
International Operations
--------------


14. (U) Slovenia is actively engaged in many international
operations, including NATO operations in Iraq, Afghanistan
and Kosovo, the EU Operation Althea in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.


15. (SBU) IRAQ: On February 24, 2006, Slovenia deployed four
military trainers in support of NTM-I at the Ar Rustamiya
training facility near Baghdad. This important milestone
aligned Slovenia more closely with U.S. foreign policy
objectives and once again demonstrated Slovenia,s
willingness to contribute to security operations in global
"hot spots." In addition to deploying the four trainers to
Iraq, Slovenia has also donated 5 million Euro worth of small
arms and ammunition to the Iraqi Security Forces; 100,000
Euro to the NATO Training Mission - Iraq (NTM-I) Trust Fund;
and has paid for approximately 172,000 Euro worth of
transport costs and port fees for the movement of 77 T-72
tanks from Hungary to Iraq (across Slovenian territory).
Since 2003, five Slovenian police trainers have been training
the Iraqi Police Force at the Jordan International Police
Training Center (JIPTC). Additionally, the Slovenian NGO
"Together" has trained over 200 Iraqi psychiatrists in
psycho-social rehabilitation for children affected by war.
Finally, Slovenia,s contribution to Iraq includes one
liaison officer (LNO) assigned to Central Command (CENTCOM)
Headquarters in Tampa, Florida.


16. (U) AFGHANISTAN: Slovenia has participated in the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
since 2003, contributing Special Forces, firefighters and
veterinarians. Currently, Slovenia has 48 troops deployed to
the Italian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Herat
(western Afghanistan); as well as two troops operating in
ISAF headquarters in Kabul. In addition, Slovenia
contributes one LNO to CENTCOM Headquarters in Tampa, Florida
to support ISAF operations. Slovenia plans to maintain its
current force levels in ISAF through 2007.

17. (U) KOSOVO: In 2005, Slovenia increased its force
contribution in Kosovo threefold, from 32 to 92 soldiers.
The current GOS contributions to the Kosovo Force (KFOR)
include a Military Police platoon and other forces supporting
various headquarters elements and the National Support
Element (NSE). Slovenia plans to increase its presence in
KFOR by deploying a transportation company in 2006, bringing
its contribution to between 300-400 personnel. Slovenia also
plans to further increase its troop strength to approximately
640 personnel in 2007 with the deployment of a Motorized
Battalion.


18. (U) BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: In 2004, the Slovenes
contributed approximately 100 troops in support of the
Stabilization Force (SFOR),which in December 2004 was
transferred from NATO to the European Union (EU) as Operation
Althea. The Slovenes continue to support Operation Althea
with 98 troops, as well as 2 staff personnel at NATO
Headquarters in Sarajevo.


19. (U) OTHER NATO OPERATIONS: In 2005, Slovenia donated
$120,000 worth of aid for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Slovenia also donated 120,000 Euro in aid, 100,000 Euro in
financing of strategic lift, and two Civil-Military
Cooperation (CIMIC) personnel to the Pakistan Earthquake
relief operation.

--------------
Summary: What We Hope to Accomplish
--------------


20. (U) Since the election of Prime Minister Jansa,s
center-right government in late 2004, Slovenia has emerged as
a close Ally in the Global War on Terror and a capable
partner in the advancement of the President's freedom agenda.
Its foreign policy has shifted in parallel with its defense
transformation: with the accelerated development of the
SAF,s expeditionary capabilities, Slovenia has assumed
greater responsibility for the projection of security and
promotion of democracy abroad -- in Afghanistan, Bosnia,
Kosovo, Iraq, and soon, as part of an EU mission in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. All of this testifies to
an expansion of Slovenia,s strategic horizons and the
development of a truly global security policy that is based
on strategic partnerships within NATO and the EU. We should
applaud Slovenia for these achievements and this strategic
vision and encourage it to expand its capabilities and
contributions even further.


21. (SBU) More specifically, the GOS should be encouraged to
stick to its commitment of spending two percent of GDP on
defense by 2008. Equally importantly, Slovenia should be
encouraged to focus its defense spending on its NATO Force
Goals, which will require a hefty commitment of human and
material resources. In policy terms, Slovenia is a proponent
of continued NATO expansion and is likely to endorse our
vision of streamlined partnerships, greater common funding,
and an enhanced operational capability for the NATO Reaction
Force. Slovenia is keen to see the Alliance continue its
successful transformation and plans to take an active role in
providing security where it is needed. As evidence of this,
Slovenia has announced it plans to further increase its force
contributions overseas from the current level of 6 percent of
total deployable forces to 11 percent in 2007. Your visit
will be an opportunity to encourage Slovenia to stick to this
commitment and to learn more about its plans for future
deployments.
ROBERTSON