Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO1018
2006-08-16 15:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
how-toVZCZCXRO9563 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNY #1018 2281526 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161526Z AUG 06 ZDS CTG RUEHSD 0091W 2302328 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4438 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0185
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 001018
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA 4 CLASS MARKING)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IS LE NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY WILL SUPPORT UNIFIL
REF: A. STATE 134133
B. OSLO 1014
C. OSLO 909
Classified By: P/E Counselor Kristen Bauer, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 001018
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA 4 CLASS MARKING)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IS LE NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY WILL SUPPORT UNIFIL
REF: A. STATE 134133
B. OSLO 1014
C. OSLO 909
Classified By: P/E Counselor Kristen Bauer, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) SUMMARY: Pol Counselor delivered Reftel A demarche on
UNIFIL contributions on 16 August to the Norwegian MFA's Head
of the Middle East Section, Kaare Eltervaag. He stated that
the political will is strong for Norway to support with
mission with military forces, but the resources do not allow
for a significant (even by Norwegian standards) force to be
sent. Consistent with what has been discussed with other
members of government (reftel OSLO 1014),he said that Norway
would like to contribute maritime forces and perhaps the
expertise of a small number of specialists (officer level).
He noted that Norway has 20 years of experience in South
Lebanon, and that the Middle East in general holds a high
interest for the current government. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Eltervaag raised several concerns regarding the
possible military contributions to Lebanon. One is that
other countries (specifically Sweden - see Reftel B) are also
considering maritime contributions and there is simply not a
large need for resources in this area. He noted that there
may be particular interest in offering maritime resources
because they are less likely to be in harm's way. Another
concern he voiced is that there may be members of the current
government from the Socialist Left who may complicate the
debate; he believes that they may argue that contributions to
Lebanon (which they support) should be taken out of the
existing deployments to Afghanistan (which they do not
support). He says that ground soldiers (combat troops) will
most likely not be offered as a possible contribution from
Norway.
3. (SBU) Although the Prime Minister does have the
theoretical ability to make the final decision on military
contributions and deployment, the reality is that the final
package will require the support of at least half of the
parliament. The discussion of whether and how to support a
UN force in the region has been going on in the media for
weeks (Reftel C).
4. (C) COMMENT: Although the government does have a majority,
the presence of the Socialist Left in the government could
lead to a very public debate on the nature of the contribution.
The GON has made it clear that they are stretched thin
militarily, and this request for contributions may open the
door for the Socialist Left to revive the discussion of
Afghanistan. END COMMENT
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m
WHITNEY
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PARA 4 CLASS MARKING)
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL IS LE NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY WILL SUPPORT UNIFIL
REF: A. STATE 134133
B. OSLO 1014
C. OSLO 909
Classified By: P/E Counselor Kristen Bauer, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) SUMMARY: Pol Counselor delivered Reftel A demarche on
UNIFIL contributions on 16 August to the Norwegian MFA's Head
of the Middle East Section, Kaare Eltervaag. He stated that
the political will is strong for Norway to support with
mission with military forces, but the resources do not allow
for a significant (even by Norwegian standards) force to be
sent. Consistent with what has been discussed with other
members of government (reftel OSLO 1014),he said that Norway
would like to contribute maritime forces and perhaps the
expertise of a small number of specialists (officer level).
He noted that Norway has 20 years of experience in South
Lebanon, and that the Middle East in general holds a high
interest for the current government. END SUMMARY
2. (C) Eltervaag raised several concerns regarding the
possible military contributions to Lebanon. One is that
other countries (specifically Sweden - see Reftel B) are also
considering maritime contributions and there is simply not a
large need for resources in this area. He noted that there
may be particular interest in offering maritime resources
because they are less likely to be in harm's way. Another
concern he voiced is that there may be members of the current
government from the Socialist Left who may complicate the
debate; he believes that they may argue that contributions to
Lebanon (which they support) should be taken out of the
existing deployments to Afghanistan (which they do not
support). He says that ground soldiers (combat troops) will
most likely not be offered as a possible contribution from
Norway.
3. (SBU) Although the Prime Minister does have the
theoretical ability to make the final decision on military
contributions and deployment, the reality is that the final
package will require the support of at least half of the
parliament. The discussion of whether and how to support a
UN force in the region has been going on in the media for
weeks (Reftel C).
4. (C) COMMENT: Although the government does have a majority,
the presence of the Socialist Left in the government could
lead to a very public debate on the nature of the contribution.
The GON has made it clear that they are stretched thin
militarily, and this request for contributions may open the
door for the Socialist Left to revive the discussion of
Afghanistan. END COMMENT
Visit Oslo's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m
WHITNEY