ROMANIA: GOALS FOR INFORMAL NATO MINISTERIAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000060 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR MCAP RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA: GOALS FOR INFORMAL NATO MINISTERIAL DELIVERED REF: A. SECSTATE 4834 ¶B. USOCE 0009 Classified By: DCM Mark A. Taplin for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Acting Pol Chief on January 16 discussed NATO Ministerial goals (ref a) with MFA Political Director Ovidiu Dranga and NATO Office Deputy Director Ana Tinca. Pol Chief noted the excellent bilateral discussion between Foreign Minister Ungureanu and Under Secretary Burns held on the margins of the December OSCE Ministerial in Brussels (ref b), and the welcome signal it would send other partners and allies if Romania were able to offer additional Romanian troops and any other contribution for Afghanistan (Romania currently has 220 soldiers deployed in the Kandahar region and 302 in Qalat). Dranga noted that Romania was proud that it was "hitting above its weight class" in Afghanistan, and indicated the GOR was considering a non-military contribution to offset any military demands placed by new ESDP commitments. Tinca observed that Romania still had some minor caveats (crowd control and location) in Afghanistan, but supposed that this would not be a major issue considering where Romania forces are deployed in Afghanistan. Pol Chief said the fewer the caveats the better, but doubted Romania was much of a concern relative to other allies. ¶2. (C) Regarding Romania's ESDP interests, Pol Chief noted that the implementation of a civil-military dimension in Afghanistan is wholly compatible with the EU's interest in developing that particular capability within ESDP; the multi-national operational skills are fungible. Dranga took the point and mentioned the possibility that -- "further down the road" -- Romania may raise interest in PRT deployments. In any case, Dranga said the GOR will of course do what it can in support of the US initiative to keep the Riga momentum going. ¶3. (C) Comment: Dranga acknowledged not receiving a detailed report on FM Ungureanu's meeting with Under Secretary Burns, in which the FM had apparently made an SIPDIS ambitious, and probably unrealistic offer of two additional battalions for Afghanistan. Dranga did promise that he would follow up, and apologized that he had been more focused on the upcoming EU Pol Directors meeting in Berlin). Whether the GOR can afford to deploy more troops under ISAF remains to be seen -- our understanding as of November was a reinforced company. Armatt discussions on January 18, revealed that Romanian Land Forces were not planning to increase their numbers deployed. They not only have a limited ability to provide logistic support, but also they have a limit on the number of troops deployed. This could change if there is sufficient will in Parliament to do so, but considering problems within the governing coalition that is unlikely. Nonetheless we fully expect the GOR to make a serious effort towards making some additional concrete commitment at the January NATO Ministerial. End Comment. TAUBMAN