NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 14, 2006

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000720 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2016 TAGS: NATO PREL AF SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 14, 2006 Classified By: DCM RICHARD G. OLSON For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: -- Afghanistan: SYG details a busy calendar of NATO events for early 2007. He observed that much more needs to be done on ANA train and equip. Ambassador Nuland seconds SYG,s call to accelerate military advice on ANA training before Seville, and also asked for more detailed briefs on ISAF military operations and strategy, while questioning whether force levels have been re-evaluated since the insurgency has gained momentum. Lithuania and Norway announce increased aid for Afghanistan. -- Balkans/Kosovo: SYG updates NAC on latest UNMIK report and calls on NATO to intensify coordination with international partners in early 2007. CMC emphasizes the report,s finding on the potential for instability post-status, but states that KFOR is prepared. -- Balkans/PfP: Norway, supported by Hungary, called for Serbia,s Presentation Document to be submitted before the January 21 elections and urged the NAC to assist all three new partner countries with their presentation documents. -- Darfur: NATO support to AMIS extended through June 30, 2007; Special Envoy Natsios to meet with SYG on December 15. Ambassador Nuland, while cautioning the NAC on the deteriorating situation in the region, clearly stated that the &no-fly zone8 press reports are premature. -- Iraq: Italy,s PR confirmed that his country will send a training assessment mission to Iraq. The SYG reported that a senior Iraqi official is expected to brief the NAC in early 2007 regarding training needs. Ambassador Nuland and SYG urged acceleration of military advice on expansion of NTM-I. The CMC detailed a significant mortar/rocket attack at Ar-Rustimayah. -- NAC Approves the 2007 Civil Budget. -- NAC Approves the 2007 Military Budget Allocation. END SUMMARY. Afghanistan -------------- ¶2. (C) Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer welcomed as &good news8 the recommendations being prepared following the return of the EU,s assessment mission to Afghanistan on police training and rule of law. He noted the continuing strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite the visit of Pakistani FM Kasuri to Kabul, labeling the heated public exchanges between both nations as &unhelpful.8 The SYG laid out a busy NAC calendar for the early new year. January will include: a Reinforced NAC at Political Directors, level; the farewell of JFC-Brunssum (ISAF,s operational HQ) commander General Back (Germany); and a visit by SCR Daan Everts. In February, ISAF will hold a change of command to U.S. General Dan McNeill; ISAF IX General Richards will likely brief the NAC on February 7; and Afghan Parliament Speaker Qanuni will lead a delegation to Brussels. The SYG thanked Estonia for a recent donation to the ANA of 4,000 rifles plus ammunition, and Denmark and Iceland for transportation assistance. He encouraged more equipment donations in 2007, and urged NMAs to accelerate their work schedule in order to have advice on greater NATO training support to the ANA provided to the NAC in time for Defense Ministers to discuss the issue in Seville on February 8-9. ¶3. (C) CMC Henault noted that current planning timelines for USNATO 00000720 002 OF 004 the ANA training support advice at SHAPE and ACT would not meet the Seville time frame, but pledged to look into it. A slowing factor, he predicted, would be the need to first gauge nations, willingness to provide resources to an expanded training effort. Henault pointed to positive gains on ISAF force generation at Riga, but reminded Allies that ISAF still lacked a theater task force, as well as three PRTs and maneuver forces for Dai Kundi, Nimroz, and Logar provinces. SHAPE is in the process of compiling a revised caveats matrix post-Riga, but has thus far received responses from only 13 of 26 Allies. ¶4. (C) IMS AD for Intelligence RADM Clayton,s brief assessed Opposing Militant Forces (OMF) successes and failures in 2006, and plans through spring 2007. He stated that COMISAF would soon begin the process of deliberating when to launch Phase Two of the ongoing Operation &Oqab,8 which will aim to disrupt OMF winter recalibration and resupply in an effort to weaken and disrupt anticipated spring offensives. Clayton noted high morale among OMF, which enjoyed cross-border freedom of movement, but also pointed to OMF failure to prevent ISAF expansion or to seize territory. He anticipated greater OMF activity this winter than in past winters, and continuing asymmetric attacks against ISAF and ANSF as OMF prepared for an increased op tempo in the spring. ¶5. (C) Ambassador Nuland thanked Allies who had pledged mobility assets and trainers at Riga, but reminded them of the need to do more and to use progress in media outreach. She asked NMAs to provide ANA training support advice prior to Seville. She urged the IMS to sharpen up future briefs, noting that Clayton,s brief was not sufficiently detailed or future-oriented, given strong OMF activity in the south, particularly in Helmand and Panjwai. Finally, the Ambassador asked for the latest thinking on force levels and laydown in theater, given that the current CJSOR was developed before the insurgency gained momentum in 2006. Lithuania announced a 1.6 million euro contribution for development in Ghor Province, and a 30,000-euro contribution to the recently established ISAF Post-Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund. Norway stated it had allocated one million euros for reconstruction in the south, which will be disbursed in cooperation with the Afghan government. Kosovo -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The SYG provided an update on UN SYG Annan,s latest report on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK),which noted the potential for future instability if there was further delay in the settlement process. The report also calls on UNSC members to keep Kosovo on the agenda. The SYG mentioned that the Policy Coordinating Group completed its work on the Balkans Autumn Periodic Mission Review. Lastly, he noted that NATO needs to move forward in the New Year, once the Kosovo status process becomes clearer, and intensify dialogue with the EU, the UN, and other international partners. The CMC also emphasized the report,s finding on the potential for instability, but said that KFOR will remain proactive to deal with any threats to security. Balkans/PfP -------------- ¶7. (C) The Norwegian PermRep, supported by Hungary, requested that the Council assist the three new partner countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia with their presentation documents. He wanted Serbia to present its Presentation Document sooner rather than later, and specifically before the Serbian elections on 21 January. He also cautioned against pressuring Belgrade on the necessity of referencing ICTY compliance and on Kosovo resolution in the documents in order to support the moderates and reformers USNATO 00000720 003 OF 004 during the election campaign. Darfur -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The SYG sought and gained Council agreement to SG(2006)0842, extending NATO support to the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS) until June 31, 2007. CMC said he will ask SHAPE to come forward with recommendations quickly. Ambassador Nuland informed the NAC that Special Envoy Natsios had just been in the region for meetings with the Sudanese government and AU officials, and that he would meet with the SYG in Brussels on December 15. She commented that press reports referencing a possible no-fly zone were &ahead of reality;8 leaders continued, however, to be very concerned about the deteriorating situation in the region. Iraq -------------- ¶9. (C) The SYG noted the PCG had completed its work on the Autumn PMR and, following up on his conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Salih, stated that he expected a senior Iraqi official would brief the Council early next year on training needs, specifically gendarmerie training. The Italian Ambassador reaffirmed Italy,s gendarmerie training offer, stating that after military advice is provided by SHAPE, Italy will send a fact-finding mission to Iraq to better define its contribution and match it to Iraq,s needs. In response to an inquiry from Ambassador Nuland, CMC said input from SHAPE on the gendarmerie training mission should be provided by January 31. Both Ambassador Nuland and the SYG pressed for quicker action on military advice so that it could be considered by the NAC in time for the Defense Ministers, Feb. 8-9 meeting. ¶10. (C) CMC stated that on 12 December, there was a significant, coordinated mortar and rocket attack on Ar-Rustimayah; thirteen rounds impacted the camp from four different directions. The timing of the attack, during the morning rush hour for local national workers, indicated an intention to inflict mass casualties. Minor damage to buildings and a single coalition force injury were reported. Civil Budget Approved in the NAC -------------- ¶11. (U) The CBC Chairman presented the 2007 Civil Budget Committee's comments on the Secretary General's proposed budget. The 2007 focus for Objective-Based budgeting is the CBC,s recommending Key Performance indicators to rate how strategic goals are being met. Germany and Belgium fully supported the CBC's decision to freeze fifty percent of the allocation for ICT revitalization until more information is issued regarding the scope, planning and programmatic aspects of the project. The SecGen said zero real growth is not the best financial strategy but reality dictates it. The Turkish PermRep commented that zero real growth is not a realistic way forward, is untenable and is out of keeping with Alliance initiatives. NAC approves the 2007 Military Budget Allocation -------------- --- ¶12. (U) The NAC approved the allocation of 1,048 MEURO amongst the military headquarters and agencies, noting that additional Afghanistan operational requirements are under development and will likely lead to a supplementary budget request of as much as 110 MEUROs. The NAC also noted the CMC,s concern that the headquarters budgets were cut without due consideration of the impact statements from the military authorities and he agreed to revisit the issue, if necessary, once the impact statements were available. The SECGEN urged nations to resolve the alignment of the financial controller for the military commands during 2007. USNATO 00000720 004 OF 004 NULAND