Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USNATO701
2006-12-07 15:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 06, 2006

Tags:  NATO PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000701 

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: NATO PREL
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 06, 2006

Classified By: DCM Richard G. Olson for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000701

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NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: NATO PREL
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 06, 2006

Classified By: DCM Richard G. Olson for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY:

-- Afghanistan: SYG conveyed the strong political
convictions expressed by NATO Allies at the Summit in support
of NATO's Afghanistan operations. He also cited the recent
reduction in the overall level of violence in Afghanistan and
the Hungarian donation of 20,000 rifles to the ANA as very
encouraging developments. Although SACEUR highlighted the
progress at Riga in reducing the number of Allies, caveats,
the CMC stated that major shortfalls remain in Operational
Mentor Liaison Teams. Ambassador Nuland urged better public
diplomacy efforts especially in telling "NATO's many success
stories."

-- Balkans/Kosovo: Deputy Assistant SYG stressed the need
for enhanced NATO-EU coordination regarding the way forward
on post-status Kosovo, as the SYG noted the strong NATO
support at Riga for President Ahtisaari. PermReps welcomed
the PfP decision at Riga, acknowledging its positive effects
on Serbia's accession talks with the EU in particular, and on
the region as a whole, but also highlighting the obligation
of Serbia and Bosnia to live up to their ICTY commitments.

-- Darfur: SYG described a "deteriorating security
situation," noting that the AU has approved a six-month
extension of the AMIS mission, and that NATO awaits an AU
request to extend assistance into 2007.

-- Iraq: Force generation for 30-man internal security
platoon fails; contract guard service extended for six months.

-- Strategic Resource Board (SRB): NAC endorsed the SRB 2006
Annual Report and agreed on Policy Guidance for military
common funding for 2008-2012.

-- Farewell to SACEUR: On behalf of the NAC, the SYG bid a
heartfelt farewell to SACEUR General Jones.

END SUMMARY.

Afghanistan
--------------

2. (C) SYG de Hoop Scheffer told the NAC that he left the
Riga Summit with renewed optimism following the strong
expressions of political commitment by Allied leaders to
succeed in Afghanistan. The challenge now, according to the
SYG, is to turn the statements into action on resources,
caveats and operational flexibility. The SYG thanked Hungary
for its recent donation of 20,000 assault rifles to the ANA.

He also welcomed the EU rule of law assessment mission
currently in Afghanistan, and hoped it would result in more
EU involvement. The SYG encouraged NATO's Policy
Coordination Group to conclude work on the ISAF Periodic
Mission Review (PMR) quickly. Per Ambassador Nuland,s
suggestion at the PermReps December 5 lunch, the SYG stated
that he intends to organize a Reinforced NAC in January at
the Political Directors level on Afghanistan and Kosovo.


3. (C) SACEUR told the NAC that SHAPE would issue a revised
caveats matrix to reflect progress made at Riga. Overall, he
stated, Riga had resulted in a 15% reduction in the 50
operationally significant caveats affecting ISAF. Chairman
of the Military Committee General Henault stated that
Operational Mentor Liaison Teams (OMLT) formed the most
important element of NATO's training assistance to the ANA,
and despite some new commitments at Riga, major shortfalls
remained. Of the requirement for 46 NATO OMLTs, only 19 are
filled, with 5 more being partially filled, augmented by U.S.
Embedded Training Teams.


4. (C) SHAPE J3 MG Stein briefed decreases in insurgent
attacks, Operation "Oqab" (Eagle),flood relief in the
northwest, the ANP, and the status of the composite HQ being

USNATO 00000701 002 OF 004


established for ISAF X. MG Stein stated that aggressive
action by ISAF and the ANSF in RC-Capital resulted in a
decrease in IED attacks from eight in September to only one
in November. Violent incidents had decreased by 63% from
August-November in RC-South, and by 47% from
September-November in RC-East. He attributed this to
successful ISAF operations, political changes in-country,
helpful Pakistani actions on the border, and seasonal
factors. Noting a high potential for renewed violence in the
spring, he told the NAC that Phase One of Operation Oqab was
ongoing to secure freedom of movement along Highway 1 and to
help the Afghan government extend its reach throughout the
country. Phase Two would seek to disrupt planning and
execution of insurgent operations against ISAF and GOA, and
be timed to head off a spring resurgence. On ANP, MG Stein
highlighted a dysfunctional Ministry of Interior, and
stressed the need for more investment and direct mentor
support of the ANP. Finally, 128 posts remain to be filled
by nations in the ISAF X HQ.


5. (C) Ambassador Nuland noted that while the USG was pleased
with the many positive statements on Afghanistan by Heads of
State and Government behind closed doors at Riga, we were
disappointed that some leaders returned home publicly
describing how they had "resisted pressure" at the Summit.
All Allies need to be openly defending the strategic
importance of NATO's mission in Afghanistan, said Nuland.
She highlighted President Bush's pledge to seek approval from
Congress of a 20% increase in our already substantial
financial commitment to Afghanistan to strengthen the ANA and
ANP, build roads, fight drugs, and aid good governance. The
Ambassador asked that the International Staff compile a list
of Allies, additional contributions, as many offers occurred
during the closed Heads of State dinner. She encouraged NATO
to work to get the word out on successes like Operation Oqab,
and asked that NATO's public diplomacy office provide the NAC
a weekly fact sheet. She also highlighted the Afghanistan
portion of SecDef-designate Gates, Congressional testimony,
noting his support for ISAF, concern about Allied caveats,
and intent to travel soon to Kabul should he be confirmed.


6. (C) Italy's PermRep informed Council that Italian forces
were now patrolling the Musayi Valley area of RC-C, which had
previously been identified by SACEUR as an insurgent
safehaven due to the refusal of RC-C forces to patrol. The
Czech Republic announced a contribution of 175,000 euros to
the ISAF Post-Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund, which was
recently established by COMISAF.

Kosovo
--------------

7. (SBU) The SYG told the NAC that at Riga, Allies had
reaffirmed their support for President Ahtisaari and
confirmed NATO's readiness to play its part in the
implementation of post status security provisions. Deputy
Assistant SYG Pardew briefed the NAC on the NATO-EU planning
process for post-status Kosovo, updating PermReps on the
current status of technical talks between NATO and the EU
Planning Team (EUPT). Pardew noted information sharing
between the two organizations had been taking place since
July and stressed that closer coordination was essential
going forward. Areas of common concern have been identified
and discussions are moving forward to resolve any operational
gaps that could develop following UNMIK,s withdrawal.
Pardew noted that the EU,s concept of operations for the
Kosovo mission would provide more information on the ESDP
mission, but would not be finished until January 2007. He
said another working level meeting on technical issues was
scheduled for 11 January. Both the SYG and the PermReps
deplored the lack of NATO-EU planning on Kosovo at the
political level and the SYG said he would work for closer
consultation with the EU. The CMC noted that the German ORF
battalion has completed its mission at Camp Nothing Hill in
northern Kosovo and is being replaced by two maneuver
companies from Multi-National Task Force South.

USNATO 00000701 003 OF 004



Balkans/PfP
--------------

8. (SBU) The Italian PermRep provided a readout of his
Foreign Minister's recent trip to Belgrade, where he met with
the Serbian Prime Minister and FM. All Serbian officials
welcomed Serbia's invitation into PfP and the positive
effects this will have on resuming accession talks with the
EU. PM Kostunica reiterated Kosovo,s status as part of
Serbia and the potential for unrest in the region. The
Italian PermRep stated the importance of not losing sight of
the political differences in Kosovo and said that Italy is
convinced that a compromised solution is the only way
forward. PermReps from Norway, Hungary, Spain, and Greece
thanked Allies for their flexibility on reaching a decision
at Riga to invite Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro into PfP and
noted that the decision will have a positive influence in the
region, particularly as Serbian elections draw closer.
PermReps from the Netherlands and UK stated that NATO needs
to ensure through PfP instruments that Serbia and Bosnia live
up to their commitments on ICTY. Ambassador Nuland said the
decision was an investment of confidence in Serbian
reformers, particularly President Tadic, and noted the
positive influence that the Riga Summit was already having on
Tadic,s electoral campaign. She called on EU colleagues to
push for NATO-EU discussion on Kosovo during the upcoming EU
Summit.

Darfur
--------------

9. (SBU) The SYG described a "deteriorating security
situation" in Darfur and noted the November 30 PSC meeting at
which the AU approved a six-month extension of the AMIS
mission. He said the PSC had also approved the three-phased
approach to AU/UN cooperation in Darfur (as originally agreed
November 16 in Addis Ababa),but added that the extent to
which the Sudanese government would support the agreement was
unclear. Remaining questions over force levels and who would
command the force would give the Bashir an opportunity to
obstruct implementation of the agreement. The SYG said he
expects to receive a request from the AU to continue support
for AMIS into 2007. Once this request is received, he
expects rapid agreement among Allies.

Iraq
--------------

10. (C) CMC Henault reported the extension of contract guard
service for six months at Ar-Rustimayah because SHAPE was
unable to generate the 30-man internal security platoon as
outlined in the new CJSOR. He also reported that
Ar-Rustimayah continues to be regularly targeted by rockets,
but that training at Ar-Rustimayah has not been affected.
The security situation has, however, slowed the Iraqi
bureaucratic approval process for participants in
out-of-country training, resulting in the cancellation of one
course at Oberammergau.

SRB Annual Report
--------------

11. (SBU) The NAC agreed to the proposed policy guidance for
NATO military common funding for the 2008-2012 planning
period and noted and endorsed the conclusions of the SRB,s
2006 Annual Report. The NAC noted with concern that manning
of military posts remains a problem that increases
outsourcing costs and that the implementation of some ISAF
projects has been too slow. Efforts are underway to increase
implementation rates.


12. (SBU) DK, UK, NL, CZ, NO and the SYG stressed the need to
reach early agreement on the formulation of the proposed NATO
Office of Resources (NOR). (Comment: Italy is currently
blocking SRB agreement. If the blockage is not removed by
December 14, there will likely be a SRB Chairman's report to
the Council on the issue. End comment.)


USNATO 00000701 004 OF 004


NAC Says Farewell to SACEUR
--------------

13. (SBU) On behalf of the NAC, the SYG bid a fond farewell
to SACEUR General Jones, describing him as "no ordinary
General." The SYG noted that General Jones, expeditionary
spirit and expertise have been invaluable to the Alliance.
General Jones declared that ISAF was the hallmark of what
NATO stands for and what it was willing to do. The General
emphasized four specific challenges facing the Alliance in
the period ahead: energy security, stability and
reconstruction operations, terrorism and proliferation. The
NAC also bid farewell to ASG Marshall Billingslea and Turkish
PermRep Pamir.


NULAND