DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A TRAINING CENTER FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000143

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE AARON JENSEN; ALSO FOR EUR/FO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL PGOV RO
SUBJECT: DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A TRAINING CENTER FOR
POST-CONFLICT AND CRISIS RECONSTRUCTION


Classified By: Acting Political Chief Chris Ellis for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (C) During a February 7 meeting to discuss Afghanistan,
Kosovo and GAERC issues (septel),MFA Political Director
Ovidiu Dranga shared a draft concept paper for creating a
European Training Center for Post-Conflict and Post-Crisis
Reconstruction (ETCPR). Dranga believes the ETCPR addresses a
gap in NATO and EU operations -- which the GOR believes
should be more closely collaborative, especially in the
Civil-Military Affairs arena. Developing a join NATO-EU
capacity in Post-Conflict Reconstruction is also a
significant component within GORs National Security Strategy
goals.


2. (SBU) The GOR's goal is to develop a pool of
post-conflict reconstruction experts that could be deployed
to operate within the operational framework of NATO, EU, UN,
OSCE or other relevant institution. The objectives are to
develop a framework for sharing expertise and best practices;
create new multi-disciplinary procedures and a post-conflict
reconstruction doctrine; improve interoperability among
"first responders" in a post-conflict environment; improve
training, planning and implementing methodologies; identify
training shortfalls and priorities; and provide a venue for
lessons learned from stabilization and reconstruction
operations. The curriculum would include courses in
security, legal issues, peace and economic development,
democracy and good governance, among a broad
multi-disciplinary skill base. The Center would offer
courses, conferences, seminars, publications, research
opportunities, gaming, and field study. The concept aims to
graduate annually 300 participants, and would draw on an
international pool of professors and trainers from countries
that "boast a wide experience in the field of
post-conflict/crisis reconstruction (e.g., former-leaders
with experience in KFOR, ISAF, UNMIK, EUFOR, etc.). The GOR
estimates the annual budget at 3 million Euros, to be
provided by the host nation, participating countries, NGOs,
international and regional organizations (World Bank, etc.),
and international business community among others. "Romania
is ready to consider providing accommodations facilities,
administrative support and consumer logistics to the center
in a location and under specific conditions to be determined
following consultations with interested partners and
potential contributors," the draft concludes.


3. (C) Comment: The ETCPR concept (entire text emailed to
EUR/NCE, EUR/RPM, and EUR/ERA) has been floated informally by
Dranga for several weeks around the circuit, but this is the
first time the whole concept is on paper. Dranga would like
to receive reactions from the US (he mentioned PDAS Volker by
name) and UK before the GOR circulates the concept widely at
the EU. There seems to be some useful ideas here, but the
concept -- if it is to be developed further -- would
definitely need to be deconflicted with other similar
initiatives and training centers. It may have a difficult
time getting broader buy-in from within the EU itself. End
comment.
TAUBMAN