SUCCESSFUL CENTCOM COALITION CONFERENCE IN TAMPA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 STATE 075561 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2032 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL IZ NATO SUBJECT: SUCCESSFUL CENTCOM COALITION CONFERENCE IN TAMPA REF: (A)STATE 41602, (B)STATE 54923 Classified by NEA DAS Lawrence Butler for reasons 1.4 (a), (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) SUMMARY. CENTCOM's Coalition conference in Tampa, FL, successfully gathered both military and civilian participants from current and prospective Coalition countries to provide an overview of Coalition planning for the next 12-18 months. The guest appearance by the President was particularly well received. All presentations and some keynote speeches from the conference can be viewed or downloaded from CENTOM's conference website at http://hqsweb03.centcom.smil.mil/ ccj5/j5ccc/MNFI Tampa07 Conference/index.asp. (URL note: underscores are between the words "MNFI" and "Tampa07" and "Conference"). The conference also provided an opportunity to conduct valuable bilateral meetings with select Coalition partners. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Per reftels, an Iraq Coalition Conference was held in Tampa, FL April 30-May 2, 2007, co-hosted by CDR USCENTCOM and CG MNF-I. Invitees included military representatives and civilian political representatives from Coalition partners and prospective partners. There was no greater demonstration of USG solidarity with its allies for success in Iraq than the personal appearance by the President, who followed his on-camera address with nearly thirty minutes of off-the-record questions and answers with 91 participants from 51 countries. In addition to being posted to CENTCOM's classified website above, the President's address can also be obtained from www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05 The presence of Admiral Fallon and General Petraeus was crucial in providing current and prospective Coalition partners with access to the top military decision-makers on USG Iraq policy and hopefully enhanced stakeholders' perception of equity and buy-in that each country has with the Iraq endeavor. These commanders' participation in the conference's unscripted question and answer sessions sparked others to engage as well. USG held several bilateral and multilateral sideline consultations with Coalition partners. ¶3. (C) POLAND - CONSOLIDATING TO ONE BASE IN DIWANIYAH: In the first of two meetings (Polish del led by BG Witold Poluchowicz, OC Planning Center Chief) the Poles complained to the U.S. del (led by Debra Cagan, MajGen Cichowski, Amb. Larry Butler) that they had been informed of the Georgians coming in to Wasit only in the field (LTG Odierno talked to Gen Lamla),and not to their central command in Warsaw; they asked this be done in the future. They also believed the Georgians should come under Polish, not U.S., command. During a second consultation later in the day GEN Petraeus made the following points, to which the Poles did not push back: - MNF-I has redrawn map of MND-C so that it includes Al- Kut. This needs to be under command of U.S. 3rd Infantry Division because of all the smuggling activity from Iran. - Need Poland to keep Diwaniyah free of Jaysh Al-Mahdi; took a lot of effort to drive them out; hope Poland's relationship with the Iraqi 8th Army Division keeps it that way. ¶4. (C) GEORGIANS - FORMING A NEW BRIGADE IN AL-KUT: In a meeting of all the countries deployed to Camp Delta in Al Kut (Wasit Province),MG Devlin conveyed that only the Poles will move from Camp Delta to Camp Echo (near Diwaniyah in Qadisiyah province),and all other nations are asked to stay put. Romania and Armenia pointed out that there are loose ends that have to be worked out, such as the command and control arrangements for their forces which are deployed at both camps; this change forces them to be in two different chains of command (Georgian-U.S. chain of command in Delta and Polish chain of command in Echo). El Salvador noted the MOU it had signed with Poland on command and control arrangements would have to be replaced by a new MOU with the Georgians and/or Americans. General Petraeus also led the U.S. side in a meeting with just the Georgians and said: - Need your help in isolating the battlefield against Iran in Wasit. - Recommend you send advance team soon to Delta (Georgians STATE 00075561 002 OF 004 indicated their 200 troops in Baqubah would go last half of June). - There will be casualties; this is a serious enemy that will fight back against attempts to stop arms smuggling Georgia replied (Col Zaza Gogava, Chairmain JCS, and his deputy LTC Grogol Tatishvili; Tampa SNR Col Davit Aptsiauri, and MFA Chief of Dept David Zalkaliani): On their Middle Ring Security deployment, Georgia will redeploy until August half of their 500 strong battalion to Wasit until a replacement force can be recruited (Petraeus noted we are committed to finding a replacement). Several logistical issues exist but all can be resolved. ¶5. (C) ALBANIA - PLUS UP: Albania's CHOD, MG Luan Hoxha explained an increase in support to Afghanistan reduces Albania's ability to increase forces in Iraq in the near term. MG Hoxka expressed satisfaction with USG logistical support. Ms Cagan re-visited an issue the MNF-I Commander had previously addressed with the Albanians: the possibility of providing two additional companies to OIF. The CHOD said that because of ongoing commitments in Bosnia and Afghanistan and the ongoing NATO assessment of its Ready Reserve Brigade, Albania can only provide one additional company for a one-time 6-month deployment. Given required training to prepare for deployment, the CHOD sees this not happening until at least SEP 07 and Albania will need lift and equipment. The CHOD also stated that Albania would need the United States to provide the individual kits for these soldiers. The CHOD wanted to visit Washington. ¶6. (C) AUSTRALIA: BG Day, Dir, Plans, Joint Operations Command, AUS and Mr. Robilliard, from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade received an update of the previous CF bilats. BG Day stated that they are on track for the deployment of 70 additional trainers. He also stated Australia was deploying a non-MNF-I two-star commander to Baghdad, to oversee the one-star Australian national contingent in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Ms. Cagan mentioned EUCOM's renewed vigor to train the allies prior to their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Australians mentioned their need of certain privileges and immunities beyond this year's UNSCR but do not necessarily need the UNSCR to stay. ¶7. (C) BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: The BiH Deputy Commander for Operations, Operational Command, BG Tepsic, requested specifics on the mission at Delta. He was assured that the Bosnians will work directly for MND-C. It was mentioned that the Bosnians had previously agreed to perform C-IED work. A suggestion was made for the Bosnians to focus on the UXO mission in the vicinity of Delta. ¶8. (C) DENMARK - MANAGING THE DRAWDOWN: Denmark's BG Soren Falke-Portved noted in a meeting with the U.S. led by Cagan/Cichowski/Butler that it had little to no visibility on what the UK was advising Lithuania to do after Denmark draws down, including its logistical support for the Lithuanians. Falk asserted that Danish equipment had been so significantly modified from standard specifications that it cannot be left behind for servicing by others unfamiliar with Danish customizations. Falk agreed to look into using Denmark's C-130J aircraft for MNF-I focused missions once it completes its UNAMI support mission in June. Falk did not dismiss the possibility of Denmark taking over Georgia's duty on UN Protection Force middle ring security in Baghdad, nor did he appear particularly interested. 9 (C) ESTONIA - CROSSED SIGNALS: MG Devlin complimented Estonia for their "caveat-free" deployment. Much of the discussion focused on interoperability challenges between Estonia's counter-IED jammers and USG radio and ECM equipment. Also mentioned was the recent cooperation for interoperability testing of Estonia's C-IED system in Yuma, Arizona. ¶10. (C) EL SALVADOR - CIV-MIL FOCUS: COL Robert Artiga- Chicas briefed that El Salvador will continue to support the Coalition with their current numbers, which he reminded all present is comprised primarily of the Civilian Affairs battalion. He said he would like to change the mission to more of a CIMIC role versus a force protection role. MG Devlin said that Georgian assumption of command at Delta will relieve them of some of their FP taskings, allowing them to focus more of their efforts toward their CIMIC mission. COL Artiga-Chicas informed the group that El Salvador will provide their own organic security for CIMIC operations for the upcoming 9th rotation. He also stated they want to be clear about who they work for. El Salvador's SNR, CAPT Jimenez also mentioned it must be STATE 00075561 003 OF 004 clear that El Salvador reports directly to 3ID. MG Devlin assured them they will work for 3ID vice the Georgian Brigade. MG Devlin also asked the Salvadorans to consider providing some riverine forces to which the Salvadorans asked about aquiring boats if they accept the mission. ¶11. (C) LATVIA - DRAWDOWN CONFIRMED: Latvia's BG Juris Kiukucans confirmed Latvia's decision to withdraw its warfighting force this summer, though they will retain a staff officer presence in MND-CS and MNC-I headquarters. Latvia seemed interested, however, in the prospect of taking over for the Georgians' UN protection mission in Baghdad. BG Kiukucans asked for more information about the mission after the conference and committed to provide Latvia's response to the U.S. Embassy in Riga in several weeks time. 12 (C) MACEDONIA - CIVILIAN ASSISTANCE OFFER: Macedonia's CHOD, LTG Stojanovski, inquired about Embedded PRT involvement; Amb. Butler channeled this request more towards ministerial capacity building. Ms. Cagan requested the CHOD provide specific training requirements for their next rotation. She told the CHOD she will work this issue through EUCOM and USAREUR. ¶13. (C) MONGOLIA - NEGOTIATING TO THE LAST MINUTE: Mongolia's LTG Togoo Tsevegsurengin talked about the extension of the 7th rotation while noting that a national decision has not yet been made final on deploying the 8th rotation, as Mongolia's National Security Council must provide final approval before the GOM can make a decision. He then provided a list of issues: Mongolia is challenged by the lack of officers with adequate English skills and training in Western doctrine; Mongolia has not yet been reimbursed for its 5th and 6th deployments to Iraq; and deployed communications equipment is failing. He also stated that deliveries in FMF equipment from the U.S. will favorably influence the government on the decision for an 8th rotation. LTG Togoo suggested that Mongolia should receive favorable consideration for Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) assistance as a result of its Iraq service [note: it has been repeatedly stressed in engagement with the Government of Mongolia that MCC consideration is not connected with participation in the Coalition] 14 (C) REPUBLIC OF KOREA - EQUIP GEORGIANS?: Admiral In- Yong Park, ROK VCJCS, opened with Korea's limited ability to support any increase in Iraq. Admiral Park stated that he has asked the ROK government for a decision on extension of the mandate but has received no reply. He relayed that the recent actions of the U.S. Congress have sent mixed messages and the ROK government is weighing its options. The Korean VCJCS said they will have difficulty extending the mandate for their deployment in Iraq because: 1. Upcoming Presidential elections will lead to a change in government, likely not disposed to an extension; ¶2. The Iraq PM, during a visit to ROK, did not express requirement for the ROKG to extend; 3. Public perception of a possible precipitous U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Ms. Cagan asked for ROK support in equipping the Georgian Brigade. She asked them to consider providing excess vehicles, radios and other in theater excess equipment from their recent drawdown. She also asked ADM Park to consider providing vehicles and equipment to the Georgians directly from the Republic of Korea. ADM Park was amenable to the USG suggestions to leave some of its equipment for Georgia as available pending a formal Georgian Government request. ADM Park stated that the equipment will be required to support MND-NE until the drawdown is complete and that some of this equipment will be shifted to ROK forces in Afghanistan upon withdrawal from Iraq. 15 (C) UKRAINE - "TRAIN" WRECK: MG Holopatiuk acknowledged that untrained Ukranian conscripts arriving in Iraq had been a mistake and explained special laws were enacted that requires three years of service before deployment of conscripts. Ukraine requested USG approval and support to train Georgian forces, and both sides agreed that Ukranian battalion commanders will provide lessons learned briefings to Georgian commanders. The Ukrainian representatives had questions about the MND-C chain of command and expressed their desire to remain under Polish command to prevent new MOU negotiations with the Parliament. ¶16. (U) CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Japan, STATE 00075561 004 OF 004 Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgystan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand, Tonga, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the U.S. ¶17. (U) LETTERS FROM IRAQ: Muwaffak Al-Ruba'i delivered letters of thanks from Prime Minister Maliki (in Arabic only) to all of the Coalition countries in Iraq. RICE