SLOVENIA: GOS WILL PUSH FOR ISAF OMLT

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