Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LUXEMBOURG35
2007-01-19 15:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Luxembourg
Cable title:
LUXEMBOURG ARMY WANTS TO CREATE UNITS FOR
how-toVZCZCXRO2981 PP RUEHIK RUEHYG DE RUEHLE #0035 0191526 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 191526Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY LUXEMBOURG TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5752 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS LUXEMBOURG 000035
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL LU
SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG ARMY WANTS TO CREATE UNITS FOR
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
UNCLAS LUXEMBOURG 000035
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL LU
SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG ARMY WANTS TO CREATE UNITS FOR
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
1. The Government of Luxembourg will soon ask its parliament
to approve reforms that will make it easier for troops to
serve in NATO and EU missions outside the Grand Duchy.
Minister of Defense Jean-Louis Schiltz outlined the proposal
at a January 17 swearing-in ceremony for 39 new enlistees.
The reforms will go to parliament in April, according to
Schiltz.
2. The reforms will include creation of self-contained
"operational availability units" that can be used in NATO and
EU missions abroad. Luxembourg has an all-volunteer army and
the new units will be made up of soldiers who have also
volunteered for duty outside of Luxembourg. At present,
individual soldiers must volunteer for duty abroad before
their units can be built and deployed. Schiltz said the new
system will extend enlistments from 18 to 36 months, allowing
for 12-months of pre-deployment training. He said that
soldiers volunteering for international missions would
receive higher pay and service awards.
3. Comment: If approved by parliament, the reforms should
streamline Luxembourg's ability to plan for deployments to
Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is not clear whether the
changes will ultimately allow Luxembourg to increase the
number of its troops serving abroad. Post will follow
developments closely.
WAGNER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL LU
SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG ARMY WANTS TO CREATE UNITS FOR
INTERNATIONAL DUTY
1. The Government of Luxembourg will soon ask its parliament
to approve reforms that will make it easier for troops to
serve in NATO and EU missions outside the Grand Duchy.
Minister of Defense Jean-Louis Schiltz outlined the proposal
at a January 17 swearing-in ceremony for 39 new enlistees.
The reforms will go to parliament in April, according to
Schiltz.
2. The reforms will include creation of self-contained
"operational availability units" that can be used in NATO and
EU missions abroad. Luxembourg has an all-volunteer army and
the new units will be made up of soldiers who have also
volunteered for duty outside of Luxembourg. At present,
individual soldiers must volunteer for duty abroad before
their units can be built and deployed. Schiltz said the new
system will extend enlistments from 18 to 36 months, allowing
for 12-months of pre-deployment training. He said that
soldiers volunteering for international missions would
receive higher pay and service awards.
3. Comment: If approved by parliament, the reforms should
streamline Luxembourg's ability to plan for deployments to
Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is not clear whether the
changes will ultimately allow Luxembourg to increase the
number of its troops serving abroad. Post will follow
developments closely.
WAGNER