Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LJUBLJANA740
2007-12-04 17:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA: GOS WILL PUSH FOR ISAF OMLT
how-toVZCZCXRO3379 RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLJ #0740 3381703 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 041703Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6288 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0026 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1169 RHEFAAA/DIA DAH WASHDC RHMFIUU/USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000740
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: GOS WILL PUSH FOR ISAF OMLT
REF: USNATO 610
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000740
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: GOS WILL PUSH FOR ISAF OMLT
REF: USNATO 610
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) In a November 30 discussion, MFA Security Policy
Division Director Stanislav Vidovic told EmbOff that although
Slovenia does not have any intention to increase its troop
levels in Afghanistan, nor to remove any functional or
regional caveats from its troops, there is a political push
to restructure Slovenian troops already deployed to
Afghanistan to create one or two Operation Mentor Liason
Teams (OMLT). EmbOff raised SHAPE's concerns that Slovenia
had not pledged any additional troops at the Global Force
Generation Conference and encouraged Slovenia to boost its
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) presence in
Afghanistan, per reftel. (Note: Currently Slovenia has 67
troops deployed in Afghanistan. SHAPE recently requested
that Slovenia consider boosting its troop levels to provide a
maneuver company of approximately 150 soldiers and an
additional OMLT. End note.)
2. (C) Vidovic stated that there was no possibility at this
time that Slovenia would increase its troop levels or remove
caveats. Vidovic noted, however, that there is no political
problem with a restructuring of its deployment to create one
or two OMLTs, but that this would have to be done within the
confines of the existing caveats. (Note: Embassy has been
pushing Slovenia to consider OMLTs since mid-October. End
note.) EmbOff noted that Embassy contacts in the Slovene
Armed Forces (SAF) have informed us that absent a political
decision to provide OMLTs, the military did not intend to
restructure its ISAF forces. Vidovic replied that the
government will advise the SAF to restructure its ISAF troops
to meet ISAF's needs.
3. (C) COMMENT: Vidovic has proven to be a reliable source of
information regarding security policy and Embassy believes
his estimation that the GOS is unable to increase its troop
contribution from 67 to 150, as requested reftel, is correct.
The GOS has its resources locked into its assumption of the
EU presidency in January and the SAF is heavily involved in
meeting security and transportation needs for the presidency,
as well as keeping its focus on Kosovo and the Western
Balkans. Embassy encourages USNATO and others to push for
Slovenia to restructure its current contribution to ISAF to
create two OMLTs. Embassy believes this is an attainable
goal. END COMMENT.
COLEMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/04/2017
TAGS: MARR PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: GOS WILL PUSH FOR ISAF OMLT
REF: USNATO 610
Classified By: CDA Maryruth Coleman for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) In a November 30 discussion, MFA Security Policy
Division Director Stanislav Vidovic told EmbOff that although
Slovenia does not have any intention to increase its troop
levels in Afghanistan, nor to remove any functional or
regional caveats from its troops, there is a political push
to restructure Slovenian troops already deployed to
Afghanistan to create one or two Operation Mentor Liason
Teams (OMLT). EmbOff raised SHAPE's concerns that Slovenia
had not pledged any additional troops at the Global Force
Generation Conference and encouraged Slovenia to boost its
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) presence in
Afghanistan, per reftel. (Note: Currently Slovenia has 67
troops deployed in Afghanistan. SHAPE recently requested
that Slovenia consider boosting its troop levels to provide a
maneuver company of approximately 150 soldiers and an
additional OMLT. End note.)
2. (C) Vidovic stated that there was no possibility at this
time that Slovenia would increase its troop levels or remove
caveats. Vidovic noted, however, that there is no political
problem with a restructuring of its deployment to create one
or two OMLTs, but that this would have to be done within the
confines of the existing caveats. (Note: Embassy has been
pushing Slovenia to consider OMLTs since mid-October. End
note.) EmbOff noted that Embassy contacts in the Slovene
Armed Forces (SAF) have informed us that absent a political
decision to provide OMLTs, the military did not intend to
restructure its ISAF forces. Vidovic replied that the
government will advise the SAF to restructure its ISAF troops
to meet ISAF's needs.
3. (C) COMMENT: Vidovic has proven to be a reliable source of
information regarding security policy and Embassy believes
his estimation that the GOS is unable to increase its troop
contribution from 67 to 150, as requested reftel, is correct.
The GOS has its resources locked into its assumption of the
EU presidency in January and the SAF is heavily involved in
meeting security and transportation needs for the presidency,
as well as keeping its focus on Kosovo and the Western
Balkans. Embassy encourages USNATO and others to push for
Slovenia to restructure its current contribution to ISAF to
create two OMLTs. Embassy believes this is an attainable
goal. END COMMENT.
COLEMAN