Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USNATO720
2006-12-15 16:51:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 14, 2006

Tags:  NATO PREL AF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6539
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHNO #0720/01 3491651
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151651Z DEC 06
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0314
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY COOPERATION IN EUROPE PRIORITY
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0216
RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 0096
RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 0456
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0495
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM PRIORITY 0099
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0128
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 0508
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0231
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK PRIORITY 0031
RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA PRIORITY 7078
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0479
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0078
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 3273
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN PRIORITY 6980
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 7224
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0315
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).

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