NEW WAY FORWARD ON IRAQ: DEALING WITH TONGA

S E C R E T SUVA 000236 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR PM/RSAT AND EAP/RSP E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017 TAGS: MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER IZ TN SUBJECT: NEW WAY FORWARD ON IRAQ: DEALING WITH TONGA REF: A. STATE 55436 ¶B. SUVA 224 Classified By: Amb. Dinger. Sec. 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (S) Ref A seeks additional efforts to secure continued participation by troop-contributing countries to the new way forward in Iraq. The cable asks Embassy Suva to engage with the Government of Tonga. Per previous reporting, the Tonga Defense Service (TDS) is now gearing up for its second deployment of a platoon to Iraq, after previously contributing in 2004. The new deployment was politically controversial, with PM Sevele particularly nervous. While the TDS contemplates still more deployments to Iraq, the political will to do so will depend on results of the coming deployment. DAS Davies complimented Tonga PM Sevele and TDS Commander Uta'atu during his recent visit to Tonga (ref B). Attempting to press the issue further would not increase the likelihood of future deployments and could endanger it. Thus we believe it prudent not to take additional steps at this time. DINGER