GERMAN REACTION TO AFRICOM BASING

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000081 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 TAGS: MARR PREL GM XA US SUBJECT: GERMAN REACTION TO AFRICOM BASING REF: STATE 004493 Classified By: DCM John M. Koenig for reasons 1.4(b)/(d) ¶1. (C) DCM and Naval Attach presented reftel talking points to MOD and MFA on January 15. MOD Parliamentary State Secretary Christian Schmidt offered preliminary personal SIPDIS views and undertook to provide DCM initial coordinated German government feedback on January 17. Schmidt reacted positively to the proposed basing of AFRICOM in Germany, noting that he saw no objection in principle. Schmidt and Major General Manfred Lange, Assistant Chief of Armed Forces Staff, asked for details regarding the expected net change in personnel (i.e. if these would be new personnel or EUCOM troops redirected to AFRICOM) and the precise location of the command. ¶2. (C) MFA Deputy Political Director Ulrich Brandenburg also reacted positively in a meeting with DCM and Naval Attache later on January 15. He and MFA NATO Director Dirk Brengelmann said they would coordinate with Schmidt and the MOD and try to provide a coordinated response on January 17. Brandenburg asked whether the possible announcement of AFRICOM in the State of the Union Address would refer to basing in Germany. He advised against any reference to Germany, saying that it would prompt headlines in the press and cause unnecessary public debate. TIMKEN JR