NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT FEBRUARY 21, 2007

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000115 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2017 TAGS: NATO PREL AF SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT FEBRUARY 21, 2007 Classified By: Charge Richard G. Olson for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: -- Afghanistan: SYG proposes two steps to advance NATO's Comprehensive Approach in Afghanistan. Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC) Henault reported on ISAF manning issues and detailed recent Taliban movements in country. Canadian PermRep informed the Council that his government is holding discussions with the United Arab Emirates to bring 130 UAE soldiers to Kandahar. UK PermRep stated that Jordanian Special Operations Forces (SOF) will deploy to Helmand. COMMENT: Both deployments are sensitive and not for public discussion. END COMMENT. UK and Italian PermReps described President Karzai,s recent visit to their respective capitals. -- Kosovo: CMC updated Council on the current security situation in Kosovo. Kosovo,s Unity Team visits Camp Nothing Hill for a security briefing. Slovenia increases its troop commitment to KFOR. -- Darfur: D/SYG reported on cross-border insurgent groups operating in the region. Regarding Somalia, he stated that NATO can only consider assistance to AMISOM after a specific request from the AU. -- IBAN Annual Activities Report for 2005 presented to Council, which approved the report's release to the public. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Afghanistan -------------- (C) The SYG expressed his condolences over recent U.S. troop losses. Moving to the agenda, he said NATO needs to take concrete steps to move ahead on its &comprehensive approach,8 and cited two areas for immediate action. The first would be the creation of a reconstruction and development database, with the aim of improving coordination between the many organizations involved. The SYG suggested keeping the database in Kabul, with the secretariat of the JCMB as the repository. NATO would not have a direct role in the project, but would contribute the information in its Afghanistan Country Stability database. SCR Daan Everts will take the lead in promoting this idea in Kabul. Second, the SYG recommended increased cooperation with the Japanese government on the comprehensive approach in Afghanistan. The SYG reported the GoJ will contribute 20 million dollars specifically for development projects in provinces where they currently have no bilateral projects, and will increase cooperation with key contacts as a result. Again, SCR Everts will work with the Japanese Embassy in Kabul to move this forward. Finally, the SYG reminded PermReps that he is traveling to Afghanistan with SACEUR, and will report upon his return. ¶3. (C) CMC Gen. Henault noted that manning issues for ISAF HQ X remain a concern with many important positions unfilled; total staffing has increased from 66% to 75%. In his operational update, Henault reported that 30 to 60 Taliban had moved from Helmand into southern Farah province, occupying a district center. The GoA had since regained control of the district. Henault speculated the Taliban USNATO 00000115 002 OF 004 operation may have been related to counter narcotics operations in the area. He added the Taliban can be expected to carry out similar operations, occupying lightly-held districts until run off by ISAF or Afghan forces. This tactic has the advantage to the Taliban of undermining local governments, and gaining maximum publicity with minimal risk. Henault reported on a February 14 operation 10 kilometers east of Musa Qala, which resulted in the death of a Taliban commander. Operations are also ongoing to clear insurgent strongholds near the Kajaki dam. ¶4. (C) Cautioning that the information be closely held, Canadian PermRep Juneau reported his government is in discussions with the UAE to bring 130 soldiers from that country into Kandahar. The Emirates, he said, would deploy a SOF platoon and two infantry platoons (with troop carriers), most probably in Spin Boldak along the border with Baluchistan. They would arrive in April 2007, achieving FOC a month later. In addition, the Emirates will provide up to 30 million dollars of development aid for Kandahar, for mosques, schools and health clinics. Noting the sensitive nature of the information, UK PermRep Eldon said Jordan will deploy 80 SOF troops to Helmand, where they will have a &normal8 (vice SF) role. The Belgian PermRep expressed concern that Afghan refugees may be forcibly evicted from refugee camps in Pakistan, then called for increased contact between NATO and the UNHCR. The German PermRep asked pointedly about the proposed establishment of an Afghan Development Zone near Kunduz, saying the recent meeting of the JCMB had agreed these are appropriate for southern Afghanistan, but not for the north. ¶5. (C) Eldon reported on Karzai,s February 14)15 visit to the UK, pointing out that, in his public statements, Karzai took pains not to criticize the Pakistani government, and instead emphasized conciliation between the two countries. Eldon suggested this may show a change in Karzai,s tactics, by handling problems with Pakistan in private rather than airing grievances publicly. The Italian representative added that, during a February 16)17 visit to Rome, Karzai emphasized the need for increased justice reform in Afghanistan, as well as more development funding, to include more work on the Kabul to Bamian road. Karzai also emphasized the need for Afghanistan's neighbors to play a role in stability in Afghanistan. ¶6. (S) Intelligence Division Assistant Director Admiral Clayton, in an intelligence briefing, reported that the Taliban, despite not winning any clear-cut battles, has nevertheless been able to increase its influence, particularly in southern Afghanistan. Helmand province continues to be the focus of the Taliban, where they are consolidating safe areas; they also hope to cut off or capture Kandahar city. The morale and confidence of fighters remains high. Funding to the Taliban has increased significantly over the last year, including from &Arab countries8, while revenues from the opium trade are likely to increase in 2007. In response to this discussion of Taliban funding from sources in Saudi Arabia, DCM noted the Saudi government had cooperated with the USG on terrorist financing and suggested the USG may be able to provide additional information to Allies. Kosovo USNATO 00000115 003 OF 004 -------------- ¶7. (C) The ASYG reminded the Council today that U.N. Special Envoy Ahtisaari will host both Belgrade and Pristina negotiating teams in Vienna to begin their consultations on his status proposal. The CMC briefed that the security situation in Kosovo remains calm, but tense, noting the recent explosion of the three UNMIK vehicles on February 19th. Leaders from Kosovo,s Unity Team visited Camp Nothing Hill where they received a briefing on KFOR,s readiness to maintain a safe and secure environment. The Slovenian PermRep announced that his country will be increasing its commitment to Kosovo by deploying a mechanized battalion of 600 troops which will be located in Multi-National Task Force-West near the town of Pec. The force will be declared ready by March 1. The Spanish PermRep announced that his Foreign Minister, in his capacity as the OSCE representative, will visit both Belgrade and Pristina next week. Darfur -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The D/SYG reported on discussions between the C.A.R., Sudan, and Chad regarding insurgent groups operating within the three territories, and noted UN planning for a border monitoring mission along these countries, shared borders. Regarding Somalia, he said the increasing security vacuum there has put the African Union under pressure to plan for AMISOM, particularly given the impending arrival of Ugandan troops. If the AU wants support from NATO for this mission, it will need to provide specific requests beyond the generic note verbale sent in January. ¶9. (C) CMC Gen. Henault reported a battalion of Rwandan troops serving in AMIS are being rotated out using Algerian-provided aircraft, which should be completed as of February 21. The AU is expecting NATO to provide the lift to rotate two additional Rwandan battalions. Henault noted a joint NATO ) AU team has traveled to Khartoum to provide &lessons learned8 training at the Darfur Integrated Task Force HQ. The same team will subsequently provide similar training for the Force Headquarters in El Fashir. Iraq -------------- ¶10. (SBU) There was no substantive discussion on Iraq this week. NATO Cooperation with UN and EU -------------- ¶11. UK PermRep Eldon urged NATO to continue coordinating and cooperating with other organizations such as the UN and the EU. He suggested that NATO raise consciousness on issues currently affecting the UN. Dutch PermRep Schaper suggested NATO pay close attention to what value it could add to resolving issues being discussed in the UN or EU. IBAN Annual Activities Report for 2005 -------------- ¶12. The IBAN report to Council focused on improving financial management at NATO, highlighting three substantial audit issues (including ACO and ACT); noting the progress made in auditing and closing NSIP projects; sharing the Board's expectation that not all agencies will be IPSAS compliant in 2006 (resulting in more qualified audit opinions); and requesting the public release of the IBAN Annual Activities USNATO 00000115 004 OF 004 Report in order to improve fiscal transparency. OLSON