Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BERLIN81
2007-01-15 11:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN REACTION TO AFRICOM BASING
VZCZCXYZ0002 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRL #0081 0151143 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151143Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6675 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUKAAKA/USAREUR ACE DARMSTADT GE IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
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)
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
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