C-RE6-00473; NORWAY, ISAF AND THE FARYAB PRT

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000690 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016 TAGS: PINR MASS MOPS PTER AF NO SUBJECT: C-RE6-00473; NORWAY, ISAF AND THE FARYAB PRT REF: A. STATE 77257 ¶B. OSLO 667 ¶C. STATE 74035 Classified By: ADCM Mike Hammer, reasons 1.4(b) and (d) 1.(C) Summary. On May 23 we met with Keith Eikenes and Erling Alvestad, Senior Advisers in the MOD, and discussed reftel A points. Both offered assessments of the current Norwegian PRT in Meymana, Afghanistan, with particular emphasis on the lessons learned following the February, 2006 riots. They revealed that Norway plans to move its existing Meymana camp to a safer location, reinforce its PRT military personnel and facilitate the permanent presence of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) in Meymana. In addition, the Norwegians do not foresee an expansion of its PRT and will likely remain rooted in the North. Alvestad also confirmed that Norway will lift the ISAF caveats noted in reftels B and ¶C. End Summary. Meymana after the Riots: Lessons Learned -------------- 2.(C) Eikenes spoke at length about the February, 2006 riots in Meymana, which, after investigations, appear to have resulted from spontaneous mob scenes following the release of the incendiary Mohammed cartoons in Norway rather than (as previously thought) from a local warlord who engaged in the drug trade. Noting that there were no direct attacks following the riots, Eikenes stated that the February events precipitated three changes. First, the Norwegian Meymana camp will move to a more secure position. The construction commencement date is estimated as of August 1, 2006 (with a total construction time estimated between 6-8 months). Secondly, the PRT (containing approximately 40 military personnel) would be reinforced with added security. Finally, Norway will facilitate the permanent presence of the ANA (whose involvement he deemed to have a "calming effect" in February). Norway will provide the ANA with funding, equipment and training (in coordination with ISAF). 3.(C) Both Eikenes and Alvestad expressed the Norwegian resolve to remain in Meymana following the riots. According to Alvestad, Norway is "anchored firmly in the North." Although he would completely rule out Norway's involvement in the South, the focus (and Norwegian presence) will clearly remain in the North. He noted that Norway would not exclude contributing to ISAF in Stages 3 or 4, but that Norway's SOF commitment to NRF 7 (and parts of NRF 8) would be a limiting factor. 4.(C) Eikenes did express some frustration with the Norwegian MFA regarding the dedicated number of civilian development experts present in Meymana. Norway has fifty soldiers in Faryab province, Eikenes noted, but only one civilian advisor form the MFA. Eikenes believes that Norway, as lead nation in Meymana, should "lead the way" in providing development experts to the region. He voiced some concern that Norway was "not delivering" on the Afghans' "clear expectations" of receiving civilian development expertise. Eikenes did state that 2-3 NGOs may be heading to Meymana (including the Norwegian Church Aid),and realized that the MFA "cannot force NGOs" to go to the province. Eikenes also noted with embarrassment that the Finnish contribution to the Meymana PRT includes more civilians and that the Finns are spending more development money in Faryab province than Norway is. Caveats to be Lifted -------------- 5.(C) Alvestad revealed that the government will lift its caveat, per reftels b and c. Norway looks forward to ANA presence in Faryab -------------- - 6.(C) Eikenes and Alvestad also directly responded to certain additional applicable reftel a points. The Norwegian language does not have a word corresponding to "counter-insurgency," so they do not use this term. The ISAF ROE does include certain "kill or capture" provisions; if Norway must conduct an offensive to fulfill an ISAF mandate, then killing/capturing Taliban or other insurgents is permissive under the ISAF rules of engagement. In addition, the PRT does conduct patrols which may last between 3-4 days, and include territory within the entire province. During these patrols, the Norwegians monitor the government's authority and report on development needs to the PRT's development experts (which currently consists of one MFA specialist) in order to plan the appropriate development and/or reconstruction assistance. Although combined patrols with ANA forces are still under review, both Eikenes and Alvestad consider it important to conduct such combined efforts and believe that when ANA establishes a presence in Faryab province that joint patrols will become a reality. 7.(C) Eikenes views the Afghanistan police as unreliable, underpaid, corrupt, and often under the authority of the local warlords. He noted that the police were playing cards "next door" when the February, 2006 riots occurred and, when they finally extended assistance to the Norwegians, the police "overreacted" (spraying live ammunition into the crowds). Eikenes did note that Norway will send a few civilian judicial experts to join the Meymana PRT this Fall, bringing the total of Norwegian judicial experts and police trainers (most in Kabul) to 15. Visit Oslo's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/oslo/index.cf m WHITNEY