SLOVAKIA CONCURS WITH NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE

UNCLAS BRATISLAVA 000652 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR MAJ. ANDREW BRINKMAN, DOD FOR NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE CAPT. TOM HALE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MOPS LO SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA CONCURS WITH NATIONAL WAR COLLEGE PROPOSED FIELD STUDY VISIT REF: STATE 160184 ¶1. Post looks forward to hosting the international travel portion of the National War College (NWC) "Field Studies in National Security" in the May 9-22, 2008, timeframe. ¶2. The orientation to the Slovak Republic will provide invaluable background for the formation of national security strategy to future leaders of the Department, Armed Forces, and other civilian agencies as they prepare for high-level policy, command and staff responsibilities. As with past visits, the NWC group will have the opportunity to obtain the Embassy country team perspective, meet with the civilian and uniformed leadership of the Ministry of Defense, and with personnel from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Finance and non-governmental organizations focused on transatlantic security issues, e.g. the Slovak Atlantic Council. If time permits, post recommends travel outside of the capital region to meet with students at universities and the Slovak war college equivalent. Post recommends discussions include themes related to NATO, EU and relations with other Eastern European countries. ¶3. USDAO Bratislava AIR Attache, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Grassley, will be the control officer for this visit and will arrange the specific itinerary in coordination with the appropriate field studies director. Lt Col Grassley can be reached by telephone at 011-421-2-5922-3180 and by email at grassleylr@state.gov. Poloff Aaron Chase will be ready to provide additional support or coordination as required. Aaron Chase can be reached by telephone at 011-421-5922-3376 or by email at chaseau@state.gov. OBSITNIK