Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PODGORICA122
2007-04-19 14:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Podgorica
Cable title:
MONTENEGRO MOVING FORWARD ON DEFENSE AGREEMENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO0670 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHPOD #0122/01 1091421 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 191421Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY PODGORICA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0178 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0035 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUEHPOD/AMEMBASSY PODGORICA 0185
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000122
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE, PM/PPA, PM/RSAT, L/PM, L/T
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO MOVING FORWARD ON DEFENSE AGREEMENTS
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 111
B. B) STATE 42063
PODGORICA 00000122 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000122
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE, PM/PPA, PM/RSAT, L/PM, L/T
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO MOVING FORWARD ON DEFENSE AGREEMENTS
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 111
B. B) STATE 42063
PODGORICA 00000122 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Summary: The Government of Montenegro is moving forward
promptly on a number of defense agreements, both bilaterally
with the USG, and with NATO. The GoM on April 19 adopted a
decision to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the
U.S., and also agreed to enter into an "Article 98" agreement
with the USG by an exchange of diplomatic notes. The GoM has
also delivered its Presentation Document to NATO in Brussels,
outlining Montenegro's future actions in the Partnership for
Peace. The GoM had earlier delivered a letter to the NATO
Secretary-General, offering excess small arms and ammunition in
SIPDIS
support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan. On April 19, the GoM informed post that it has
also formally endorsed the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear
Terrorism. The MFA has additionally signaled its willingness to
extend necessary end-use assurances on defense assistance. End
summary.
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
--------------
2. The Embassy presented a draft Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under cover of a
diplomatic note, on January 26. Following a single round of
negotiations, both Governments agreed on the English text of the
agreement. A translation into the official language of
Montenegro was provided by the MFA on April 13, with emendations
offered by the USG on April 13 and 18, and accepted by the GoM.
On April 19, the full cabinet of the Government of Montenegro
adopted a decision to sign the SOFA. Formal signing of the
agreement is expected in early May.
"Article 98" Agreement
--------------
3. On April 16, Foreign Minister Rocen told Charge that the GoM
would agree to enter into an "Article 98" agreement with the USG
(on non-rendition to the International Criminal Court - ICC) by
an exchange of diplomatic notes. (Note: This is the course of
action preferred by the USG. End note.) The Embassy provided its
diplomatic note to the MFA on April 18. The MFA has informed
post that it will formally reply to the note on April 20.
NATO Presentation Document
--------------
4. On April 5, the GoM adopted Montenegro's Partnership for
Peace (PfP) Presentation Document outlining the country's
cooperation with NATO and emphasizing NATO membership as one of
the most significant political and security goals of the
country. Foreign Minister Rocen told the press that the process
of joining NATO would not slow down but rather accelerate
Montenegro's integration into Europe as "the two processes are
complimentary and based upon the same values." The Presentation
Document was developed in cooperation with NATO International
Staff experts.
Support to ISAF
--------------
5. At the end of February, Defense Minister Boro Vucinic wrote
to NATO Secretary-General Jan de Hoop Scheffer, offering to
donate some six tons of usable, excess small arms and related
ammunition to NATO. The designated purpose was use in
Afghanistan to support the efforts of NATO's International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
PODGORICA 00000122 002.2 OF 002
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism
--------------
6. On April 16, Foreign Minister Rocen told Charge that the GoM
has agreed to endorse the Statement of Principles of the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Statement of Principles,
and that it wished participate in the activities of the Global
Initiative. The MFA told post on April 19 that it has sent a
written communication to that effect to both the U.S. and
Russian Embassies in Montenegro.
End Use Assurances
--------------
7. Assistant Foreign Minister Radulovic noted to poloff on
April 4 that she was aware that the GoM would need to extend
end-use assurances to the USG before receiving defense
assistance, particularly defense articles. Referring to
"Section 505" of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, she stated the
GoM was ready to agree to all such requirements, consistent with
those in ref B. Post will present the MFA with a formal
diplomatic note, seeking its reply, again per ref B.
BARNES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE, PM/PPA, PM/RSAT, L/PM, L/T
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PARM MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO MOVING FORWARD ON DEFENSE AGREEMENTS
REF: A. A) PODGORICA 111
B. B) STATE 42063
PODGORICA 00000122 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Summary: The Government of Montenegro is moving forward
promptly on a number of defense agreements, both bilaterally
with the USG, and with NATO. The GoM on April 19 adopted a
decision to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the
U.S., and also agreed to enter into an "Article 98" agreement
with the USG by an exchange of diplomatic notes. The GoM has
also delivered its Presentation Document to NATO in Brussels,
outlining Montenegro's future actions in the Partnership for
Peace. The GoM had earlier delivered a letter to the NATO
Secretary-General, offering excess small arms and ammunition in
SIPDIS
support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan. On April 19, the GoM informed post that it has
also formally endorsed the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear
Terrorism. The MFA has additionally signaled its willingness to
extend necessary end-use assurances on defense assistance. End
summary.
Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
--------------
2. The Embassy presented a draft Status of Forces Agreement
(SOFA) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under cover of a
diplomatic note, on January 26. Following a single round of
negotiations, both Governments agreed on the English text of the
agreement. A translation into the official language of
Montenegro was provided by the MFA on April 13, with emendations
offered by the USG on April 13 and 18, and accepted by the GoM.
On April 19, the full cabinet of the Government of Montenegro
adopted a decision to sign the SOFA. Formal signing of the
agreement is expected in early May.
"Article 98" Agreement
--------------
3. On April 16, Foreign Minister Rocen told Charge that the GoM
would agree to enter into an "Article 98" agreement with the USG
(on non-rendition to the International Criminal Court - ICC) by
an exchange of diplomatic notes. (Note: This is the course of
action preferred by the USG. End note.) The Embassy provided its
diplomatic note to the MFA on April 18. The MFA has informed
post that it will formally reply to the note on April 20.
NATO Presentation Document
--------------
4. On April 5, the GoM adopted Montenegro's Partnership for
Peace (PfP) Presentation Document outlining the country's
cooperation with NATO and emphasizing NATO membership as one of
the most significant political and security goals of the
country. Foreign Minister Rocen told the press that the process
of joining NATO would not slow down but rather accelerate
Montenegro's integration into Europe as "the two processes are
complimentary and based upon the same values." The Presentation
Document was developed in cooperation with NATO International
Staff experts.
Support to ISAF
--------------
5. At the end of February, Defense Minister Boro Vucinic wrote
to NATO Secretary-General Jan de Hoop Scheffer, offering to
donate some six tons of usable, excess small arms and related
ammunition to NATO. The designated purpose was use in
Afghanistan to support the efforts of NATO's International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
PODGORICA 00000122 002.2 OF 002
Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism
--------------
6. On April 16, Foreign Minister Rocen told Charge that the GoM
has agreed to endorse the Statement of Principles of the Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism Statement of Principles,
and that it wished participate in the activities of the Global
Initiative. The MFA told post on April 19 that it has sent a
written communication to that effect to both the U.S. and
Russian Embassies in Montenegro.
End Use Assurances
--------------
7. Assistant Foreign Minister Radulovic noted to poloff on
April 4 that she was aware that the GoM would need to extend
end-use assurances to the USG before receiving defense
assistance, particularly defense articles. Referring to
"Section 505" of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act, she stated the
GoM was ready to agree to all such requirements, consistent with
those in ref B. Post will present the MFA with a formal
diplomatic note, seeking its reply, again per ref B.
BARNES