SUCCESSFUL U.S.-SLOVENIA POL-MIL TALKS HELD MAY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 LJUBLJANA 000329

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR TRIM, PM/RSAT FOR DOWLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/25/2016
TAGS: MARR NATO PGOV PREL SI
SUBJECT: SUCCESSFUL U.S.-SLOVENIA POL-MIL TALKS HELD MAY
12, 2006

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Maryruth Coleman for Reasons 1.4 (B,D)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (S) The first joint State-DOD pol-mil talks with Slovenia
took place at the Slovenian MFA May 12. Highlights included:

-- SLOVENE CONTRIBUTIONS TO GWOT (paras 3-5): The Slovenes
said they are increasingly willing to share the collective
burden and that they intend to maintain their participation
in ISAF and NTM-I and are considering contributing civilian
reconstruction assistance to a PRT in Herat in 2007.

-- PSI (para 6): The Slovenes warmly received a USG offer to
assist with a 2007 GOS-hosted PSI container security exercise
in the port of Koper.

-- MANPADS (para 7): The Slovenes promised to consider our
offer to remove and exploit MANPADS as well as to destroy
obsolete stocks.

-- EU PRESIDENCY 2008 (paras 8-9): The Slovenes indicated
that their EU presidency in 2008 will focus on encouraging
dialogue between EU and NATO and fortifying a strong
transatlantic partnership. We underscored the risk to
U.S.-EU relations if the China Arms Embargo were lifted and
the GOS agreed that China needs to fulfill important criteria
before any changes are discussed.

-- IAEA (para 10): GOS appreciated our support of their bid
for the Chairmanship of the IAEA Board of Governors and
underscored that the role would provide a venue for Slovenia
to demonstrate its leadership.

-- COUNTERTERRORISM (para 11): The Slovenes reiterated their
desire to cooperate with the USG on counterterrorism and
expressed interest in three EUCOM-funded counterterrorism
cooperation programs.

-- RIGA SUMMIT (paras 12-15): The Slovenes share almost all
of our major objectives for NATO reform and the Riga summit.
Concerning NATO enlargement, the Slovenes noted that Croatia
and Ukraine had not yet responded to the GOS offer for a
Slovenian Road Show team to assess progress and provide
advice on further reforms.

-- ESDP (paras 16-17): The GOS confirmed their commitment to
the primacy of NATO in all areas of transatlantic security
and assured us that they would continue to urge better
EU-NATO coordination. We raised the idea of a strategic lift
consortium purchase of C-17 aircraft and urged the Slovenian
NATO mission to engage with NATO Assistant Secretary General
Billingslea to determine if the GOS could participate.

-- GPOI: The Slovenes acknowledged the need to prioritize
their contributions and admitted a lack of experience in
Africa. However, they were receptive to the initiative and
expressed a willingness to consider participation.

-- SEEBRIG (para 18): The Slovenes acknowledged that
Slovenian Armed Forces, (SAF) participation in SEEBRIG is
not a priority in their vision of the development of further
regional cooperation.

-- U.S. GDPR (para 19): The Slovenes appreciated the message
that the U.S. GDPR process should not be interpreted as a
diminished commitment to Europe.

-- SLOVENIAN DEFENSE TRANSFORMATION (paras 20-21): MOD
Representatives indicated that the GOS intends to pass
legislation by the end of the year that will eliminate almost
all of the national caveats for participation in peacekeeping
operations. MOD representatives predicted that Slovenian
defense spending will reach the NATO goal of 2 percent of GDP
by 2008.

Discussions were highly productive and the Slovenian
delegation proposed holding similar talks on an annual basis

LJUBLJANA 00000329 002 OF 006


to ensure continued dialogue on these issues.
END SUMMARY.


2. (U) PM Senior Advisor Ambassador Robert Loftis, joined by
OSD Principal Director for European and NATO Policy James
Townsend, led a USG delegation with participants from State
(EUR, PM),OSD, J-5, and Embassy Ljubljana (including the
Ambassador, DCM, Pol-Econ, ODC). The Slovenian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs team was lead by Director General for Policy
Planning and Multilateral Political Relations, Anita Pipan.
Janko Steh from the Defense Policy Directorate led the
Ministry of Defense team.

-------------- -------------- -------------- --
SLOVENIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO GWOT:
-------------- -------------- -------------- --


3. (C) MFA State Secretary Dr. Bozo Cerar opened the talks by
observing that the United States and Slovenia share common
goals. A united Europe and a strong Euro-Atlantic alliance
are core priorities for Slovenia. Cerar emphasized that NATO
should remain the premier defense institution. As they
prepare to take on the EU presidency in 2008, the GOS will
build upon lessons learned during Slovenia,s chairmanship of
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE).


4. (C) Ministry of Defense State Secretary Franci Znidarsic
said that the Slovenian Military is focused on
professionalizing the armed forces and recently increased
international deployments in Kosovo, NTM-I, and ISAF and will
continue to do so in Kosovo. Znidarsic added that a key
defense goal is enhanced cooperation and coordination between
NATO and the EU and other international organizations. He
also noted that Slovenia appreciates and would like to
maintain current levels of U.S. support, including FMF, FMS,
and IMET funding. He indicated that Slovenia is considering
contributing civilian reconstruction assistance to a PRT in
Herat in 2007. Furthermore, GOS interlocutors hoped that the
law prohibiting the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) from
conducting crowd and riot control (currently restricted to
traffic control) will be changed later this year enabling SAF
in Afghanistan to perform a fuller range of missions.


5. (C) Ambassador Loftis commended Slovenia for its
contributions in the fight against terrorism in Iraq,
Afghanistan, and the significant contribution by Slovene
troops in the Balkans. He shared current U.S. thinking on
the necessity for a substantial civilian component as a part
of an effective strategy for combating counterinsurgencies.
He stressed that we value feedback from our partners about
their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan.

-------------- -------------- -------------- ---
PROLIFERATION SECURITY INITIATIVE
-------------- -------------- -------------- ---


6. (C) Ambassador Loftis presented a U.S. offer of assistance
in planning an upcoming Proliferation Security Initiative
(PSI) exercise in the port of Koper. Director General Pipan
thanked him for the USG willingness to cooperate and assist
in the coordination of their container security exercise
planned for May 27-29, 2007. Pipan explained that the
exercise would focus on interdiction in the port of Koper, a
transit gateway for trade from Asia. She emphasized that
Slovenia would like the U.S. to be an active and informed
participant. Ambassador Loftis also thanked the Slovenes for
their excellent ongoing engagement in PSI.

--------------
MANPADS
--------------


7. (C) Ambassador Loftis noted the GOS request to acquire the
Stinger system to replace aging SA-18s is currently under
review. Given the GOS desire to modernize its stocks and the
concern about the proliferation of illicit MANPADS,
Ambassador Loftis said that the USG would like to acquire
Slovenia,s obsolescent stockpile of Soviet era MANPADS,
specifically SA-18s, for countermeasures testing and would be

LJUBLJANA 00000329 003.5 OF 006


willing to assist the GOS to destroy their older systems.
The USG is willing to provide necessary transport and
logistics for the removal of the SA-18s. Pipan was receptive
to the offers, noting that her government would like to work
with us and that she would convey the message to senior GOS
officials.

-------------- --------------
EU PRESIDENCY 2008
-------------- --------------


8. (C) Pipan provided an overview of how Slovenia is
preparing to take on the EU presidency during the first half
of 2008, noting that it is the first among new EU member
states to assume the role. She emphasized that Slovenia,s
EU presidency will focus on institutional development, the EU
Constitutional Treaty, Enlargement, energy security, expanded
dialogue between NATO and the EU, as well as EU-U.S. dialogue
on Iran and democracy. She stressed that partners should
talk early and often and indicated that a strong
transatlantic partnership is vital for the stability and
development of the international community. Ambassador
Loftis congratulated Slovenia on its upcoming EU presidency
noting that while the role will be a challenge, Slovenia is
well-equipped to take on the responsibilities. Loftis
mentioned that one challenge Slovenia will undoubtedly face
when it takes on the presidency is the China Arms Embargo.
He underscored the risk to U.S.-EU relations if the embargo
were lifted. Pipan agreed that China still needs to fulfill
important criteria before any changes are discussed.


9. (C) Pipan described two GOS initiatives that reflect
Slovenia,s priorities as it prepares to take on the EU
presidency. The first is the Center for European Perspective
(CEP),which will play an active role (specifically by
providing technical assistance) in promoting European
integration processes in the EU candidate countries,
potential candidates for EU membership and New Neighborhood
Policy countries. In addition, the Center will engage in
projects involving Euro-Atlantic integration (i.e. NATO).
Pipan said that its work will address questions regarding
peace, security, and socio-economic issues in the region of
Southeast Europe, East Europe, the Middle East, and
Mediterranean. A second initiative is the Bled Strategic
Forum, an international forum for promoting high-level
strategic dialogue between public and private sector leaders
on key issues confronting Europe. The first in the series of
international events will be a conference planned for August
27-28, 2006 in Bled to discuss the geopolitical relevance of
the Caspian region for the EU from economic, political and
strategic perspectives. OSD Principal Director for European
and NATO Policy James Townsend asked where the funding would
come from and was told that Slovenia will provide the initial
funding and would eventually ask for contributions from
industry.

-------------- --------------
IAEA CHAIRMANSHIP
-------------- --------------


10. (C) Ambassador Loftis applauded Slovenia,s ambitious bid
for the Chairmanship of the IAEA Board of Governors and
indicated that the USG supports a strong IAEA with
Slovenia,s lead. He noted the demands of chairing the Board
and suggested that the U.S. Mission in Vienna is prepared to
assist Slovenia if needed. Pipan acknowledged that the role
would be difficult considering the increasing attention on
Iran, but was appreciative of USG support and underscored
that the challenge would provide a venue for Slovenia to
demonstrate its leadership.

-------------- -------------- --------------
COUNTERTERRORISM COOPERATION
-------------- -------------- --------------


11. (C) Ambassador Loftis highlighted three U.S.
counterterrorism programs including the Regional
Counterterrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP),the Counter-Narco
Terrorism Program (CNT),and the State Partnership Program.
He emphasized the availability of USG funds for bilateral

LJUBLJANA 00000329 004 OF 006


cooperation. Major Scott Fredericksen from the Office of
Defense Cooperation (ODC) briefed the Slovenian delegation on
the funding available for training, conferences, and
workshops. Major Fredericksen also discussed Slovenian
participation in the Marshall Center. The Slovenes signaled
that they are prepared to participate in these valuable
programs. They indicated a desire to coordinate within their
interagency for broad representation in these programs.

-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
NATO: RIGA SUMMIT; ENLARGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------


12. (C) Pipan looked forward to the Riga Summit as an
opportunity for the alliance to gain a clearer definition of
NATO,s perspective and a chance to send a strong message to
aspirant countries that an invitation is predominantly
performance-based. She suggested that a clear sign that
invitations will not be issued at Riga should be given to
aspirant countries in order to help them remain focused on
progress vice lobbying for membership in the short-term.
Townsend acknowledged that the views within the U.S.
interagency are the same with regards to performance-based
criteria and the timeline for invitations. He mentioned that
since the Orange Revolution, DOD has been concerned that
Allies do all they can to help Ukraine integrate into Western
institutions like NATO and implement defense reform.


13. (C) Pipan remarked that Slovenia will continue to follow
the development of the three aspirant countries and offer its
assistance wherever possible. She said Slovenia plans to
assist these countries through "Road Show" assessment visits
as a way of imparting the lessons learned from its own
experiences with NATO membership. She explained that
Slovenia has offered to help bolster public support for NATO
membership in Croatia and Ukraine, but has not yet received a
response from the two countries. Townsend praised
Slovenia,s "Road Show" efforts indicating that they could be
more valuable, particularly for Ukraine, than similar efforts
by the U.S. because of Slovenia,s experience as a new NATO
member.


14. (C) Regarding NATO partnerships, Townsend explained that
the U.S. idea is still a work in progress and thanked
Slovenia for its contribution to the debate. Ambassador
Loftis highlighted the U.S. view that, in the context of
NATO, shared values also meant shared obligations. Townsend
agreed, noting that for the Department of Defense, the
emphasis is on closer relationships between NATO and those
nations we may be fighting alongside in future missions.
Pipan indicated that the core concept of fundamental values
is critical and that the GOS hopes the Summit in 2006 will be
a milestone in the debate on the future of partnerships while
the 2008 NATO Summit would be a better timeline to unveil the
matured idea of NATO with global partners and to determine
invitations for membership.


15. (C) Pipan asked whether debate on the NATO strategic
concept will be reopened at Riga. Townsend acknowledged the
need to look carefully at NATO,s strategic concept, which
has not been updated since 1999, but noted that the Alliance
may not be ready to reopen that document any time soon.
However, he also noted that global events sometimes force
NATO to consider strategic issues before it may be ready
politically.

-------------- -------------- --------------
NATO: RELATIONSHIP TO ESDP
-------------- -------------- --------------


16. (C) Pipan said that Slovenia remains committed to NATO
and agreed that ESDP must compliment, not compete with,
NATO,s capacities. The Head of the MOD NATO-EU Department,
Aljosa Selan, acknowledged that Slovenia would like to
contribute to a more effective NATO-EU working relationship
with an ESDP focus on value-added contributions. He raised
the Southeast Europe Clearinghouse and the USEUCOM proposal
for Slovenia,s co-chair for the third conference in Belgrade
in June 2006. He explained that the MOD has established a
database to streamline data on regional defense reform,

LJUBLJANA 00000329 005 OF 006


focused on acknowledged needs and offers of assistance.
Selan added that Slovenia supports common funding to cover
some of the costs of critical NATO operations, but
acknowledged that increased common funding should not be a
substitute for poor force generation or Allied capability
shortfalls.


17. (C) Townsend indicated that the U.S. wants to ensure that
ESDP compliments NATO and that there is better coordination
between the two institutions. He agreed with the Slovenian
view on the limitations of common funding. Townsend
discussed the idea of a strategic lift consortium purchase of
C-17 aircraft, noting that the U.S. has agreed to participate
in such a consortium. He mentioned that NATO Assistant
Secretary General Marshall Billingslea is the lead contact

SIPDIS
point for the initiative at NATO. The GOS appeared
uninformed about the strategic lift initiative, and Townsend
urged the Slovenian NATO mission to engage with ASG
Billingslea to determine if the GOS could participate.

--------------
SEEBRIG
--------------


18. (C) Ambassador Loftis asked MOD representatives if
Slovenia had plans to change its observer status within
SEEBRIG. MOD International Relations Department Head, Slavko
Delalut, replied that, given personnel and financial
constraints as well as other international and regional
commitments, participation in SEEBRIG is not a priority. He
noted that while Slovenia has been a member of the
Southeastern Defense Ministerial (SEDM) since 1997, it is not
a member of the Multinational Peace Force Southeastern Europe
Agreement (MPFSEE) under which SEEBRIG was developed. He
also stated that Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) participation
in SEEBRIG has not been foreseen in any strategic document
and this kind of cooperation would not correspond with plans
to gradually decrease Slovenian engagement in SEDM initiative
projects.

-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
U.S. GLOBAL DEFENSE POSTURE REALIGNMENT
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------


19. (C) Explaining the U.S. Global Defense Posture
Realignment, Ambassador Loftis assured that the process
should not be interpreted as a diminished commitment to
Europe. Cooperation with allies would be even more
important, especially when exercising the mobility necessary
to deploy troops to meet new challenges.

-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
SLOVENIAN DEFENSE TRANSFORMATION AND LESSONS LEARNED
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------


20. (C) Slovenian MOD representatives noted that Slovenia had
reached the decision to professionalize the Slovenian Armed
Forces (SAF) in 2002 and had abolished conscription in 2003.
They said, since joining NATO in March 2004, they have been
engaged in transforming the military to conform to NATO,s
rigorous requirements. In March 2004, Slovenia was given 44
NATO Force Goals, and it accepted or partially accepted all
of them. In March 2006, Slovenia was given 53 new NATO Force
Goals, and all but one were accepted. As for defense
spending, MOD representatives predicted that Slovenia will
reach the NATO goal of 2 percent of GDP by 2008 and plans to
maintain that level at least until 2015. They indicated that
by 2010, they will have 8,500 active duty troops and 5,500
reserve troops. Townsend queried whether they plan to use
Slovenian Reserve forces outside of Slovenia (eg. NATO
operations) or if these forces are only intended for homeland
defense. In response, MOD representatives mentioned that out
of country operations are a future possibility, but would
require a change in regulations, in addition to robust
professional training and equipment.


21. (C) MOD Representatives described some of the lessons
learned from Slovenian participation in peacekeeping
operations. While they admitted their system for compiling
lessons learned is still ad hoc, they presented several

LJUBLJANA 00000329 006 OF 006


conclusions including the importance of English language at
all levels; the fact that the timeline from decision to
deployment takes at least three months; the importance of
strategic lift capability; their regional advantage in the
Balkans, especially for HUMINT; and the problematic nature of
national caveats. Ambassador Loftis thanked them for sharing
their lessons learned and noted that "real-world experiences"
help reform efforts. He confirmed that the USG recognizes
the importance of the Balkan region and its significance for
the stability of Europe and encouraged the Slovenians to
remove or reduce national caveats in all operations.
Townsend added that Slovenian forces are well-respected
internationally and are known for their professional demeanor
and niche capabilities.

-------------- -------------- --------------
SLOVENIAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
-------------- -------------- --------------


22. (C) Lt Miha Kuhar from the MOD briefed the delegation on
the Slovenian Mountain School. He emphasized training
opportunities for Special Forces and foreign military
personnel. At the same time, he acknowledged that the school
is currently too small to be considered for a NATO Center of
Excellence and admitted that limited resources and personnel
would require regional partners in order to grow. For
example, the school currently has 6 instructors, but would
need 50 instructors to meet NATO requirements. Kuhar noted
that Slovenia had pitched the project to NATO headquarters
about three months ago, but was told to look for strategic
partners. Ambassador Loftis and Principal Director Townsend
appreciated this presentation, but did not encourage the
Slovenes to contribute significant resources to this effort.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


23. (C) The positive and open mood of the talks reflected the
state of our overall bilateral relationship. The Slovenes
were fully briefed on all the issues and came prepared for a
substantive discussion. On numerous occasions, they
emphasized the importance of their relationship with the U.S.
and the primacy they assign to NATO as a transatlantic
security institution. The Slovene delegation appreciated the
interagency USG delegation and suggested annual talks as a
way to ensure effective and consistent dialogue. The
Slovenes will continue to embrace the transatlantic security
relationship and to ensure its promotion within Europe. Post
will continue to engage the Slovenes on the issues raised
during these discussions to further build on the positive
momentum we have already achieved.


24. (U) This cable has been cleared by Ambassador Loftis and
Mr. Townsend.
COLEMAN