KOSOVO: BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE SECURITY SECTOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 090284 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2017 TAGS: MOPS NATO PREL KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO: BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE SECURITY SECTOR Classified By: EUR PDAS Kurt Volker; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Action addressees are requested to deliver the U.S. non-paper contained in paragraph 3 below to Quint Foreign and Defense Ministries, to NATO and EU staffs and to the EUPT and OKPCC in Pristina. Addressees are further requested to report reactions to EUR/SCE, EUR/RPM and OSD European and NATO policy. ¶2. (C) BACKGROUND. The Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo divides responsibility for oversight of the security sector among NATO (for forming the Kosovo Security Force, disbanding the Kosovo Protection Corps and creating a Defense Ministry),the EU (for the police and justice sector) and the future ICO (for the future intelligence service and general political oversight). The Security Sector Working Group in Pristina has begun coordination on the ground but will depend on planning from NATO for the key tasks of standing up the KSF and its civilian oversight organization (hereafter referred to as the MOD). As the USG begins to make decisions about the allocation of resources to support security sector development, we believe it will be important to engage in operational level cooperation with key Allies and implementing organizations. Such coordination will be particularly important with regard to the development of a MOD as NATO planning advances. ¶3. (SBU) Text of Non Paper As we prepare for the implementation of the Kosovo status settlement, it will be important to promote coordination in the development of Kosovo,s security sector. Consistent with NATO guidance to undertake prudent planning, we believe there are a number of steps that should be taken as early as possible to provide an effective security sector. The Ahtisaari plan includes a division of responsibilities for security sector tasks. Under this arrangement NATO will have the lead on development of the future Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and its civilian oversight body (referred to as a Ministry of Defense or MOD pending a decision as to whether or not a Ministry is needed). NATO will also oversee the disbandment of the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC). Selected employees of the Office of the Kosovo Protection Corps Coordinator (OKPCC) will work under NATO supervision on these tasks. Within NATO, KFOR personnel, under direction from JFC Naples, will develop the KSF, and NATO I.S. Defense Policy and Planning staff will lead on the MOD. The EU rule of law mission will take over from UNMIK on police and justice oversight. The U.S. will contribute to this operation as appropriate. The Ahtisaari plan also provides for a National Intelligence Service under the Prime Minister,s office. The Intelligence Service will require close supervision by the ICO as it is formed. The Working Group on Security in Pristina has made a good start on tactical coordination of these various responsibilities between agencies on the ground. The U.S. believes, however, that operational level contacts between capitals and the key international organizations would help avoid confusion of responsibilities and allow for more efficient allocation of resources. We propose that experts from Quint foreign and defense ministries, representatives of the NATO I.S., NMAs, EC, EUPT and OKPCC should meet in early July to discuss the way forward on Kosovo,s security sector with the following agenda: -- Structure of the civilian oversight organization. -- Setting up a NATO or other trust fund for KPC retirees to fund severance packages, but not pensions. -- How to supervise the new Intelligence Service. -- Identification and vetting of personnel for security sector institutions. Early training for leadership. -- Meeting the timelines prescribed by the Ahtisaari plan. -- Assistance to the security sector. RICE