UNIFIL: LUXEMBOURG TO CONTRIBUTE 3 TROOPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000471 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS SECDEF FOR OSD - MAJOR BOGLE E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2011 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL UN LE LU SUBJECT: UNIFIL: LUXEMBOURG TO CONTRIBUTE 3 TROOPS REF: A. LUXEMBOURG 461 ¶B. LUXEMBOURG 448 ¶C. STATE 134133 ¶D. LUXEMBOURG 438 ¶E. STATE 132517 Classified By: CDA Dan Foote; Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) MFA Deputy Defense Director Serge Alzin informed charge of Luxembourg's decision to participate in UNIFIL-plus, by contributing a senior army officer and two non-commissioned officers (NCOs),on August 25. A formal announcement is planned at a press conference scheduled late in the day. The two NCOs will be demining experts trained in explosive-ordinance disposal. Alzin advised that the Luxembourg troops will be embedded with a Belgian unit, following Luxembourg's historic modus operandi for participation in multi-national operations. ¶2. (C) Also on August 25, charge spoke with Luxembourg Deputy CHOD Fernand Guth. Guth expects to send an officer at the level of Captain, Major, or possibly a young Lt. Colonel. The decision on which officer to send and other operational matters will be clarified in impending discussions, scheduled to begin August 28, with Belgian army officials. ¶3. (C) While the political decision has been made, the proposal must be reviewed by the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies (parliament) and Council of State for final approval. Alzin expects this matter to be discussed in the Chamber in the near future, perhaps as early as next week. Comment: We do not anticipate major opposition to this mission in the Chamber or Council, and expect official approval within two weeks. End comment. FOOTE