NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT JUNE 13 2007

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 USNATO 000373

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT JUNE 13 2007


Classified By: DCM Richard G. Olson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY:

--Afghanistan: The SYG discussed civilian casualties and the
need for ISAF to do more on OMLTs and equipment support to
the ANA. The Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC)
Henault briefed on "modestly positive" force generation
conference. SHAPE DCOS for Operations Major General Wright
noted first-ever Corps-level Afghan-led operation in RC-East.
Norwegian PermRep informed NAC that his country would equip
two ANA brigades with mortars, heavy machine guns, small
arms, and ammo, plus training.

--Balkans: SYG to hold informal discussions with NATO
PermReps on possible consequences in the event of UNSC,s
failure to adopt a Kosovo resolution soon. The CMC noted
SACEUR's concerns about the lack of political guidance for
NATO operations.

--Darfur/Somalia: MG Wright noted NATO may receive a request
to move the Rwandan and Nigerian battalions that would be
part of the pending UN/AU "heavy support package" in Darfur.
On Somalia, the SYG said he would report to the AU and the UN
SYG that Allies had agreed in principle to NATO support for
the AU Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). MG Wright assured
PermReps that NATO is ready to provide assistance as required.

--Iraq: Gendarmerie Training Plan approved by the NAC. The
outgoing Commander of NTM-I, General Dempsey, recognized by
SYG for his service.

--Strategic Airlift Capability Initiative: ASG for Defense
Investment Peter Flory stated that consensus had not been
reached on issues concerning ownership and liability, despite
a new U.S. proposal. Ambassador Nuland stressed the new
proposal makes the agreement operationally identical to that
of NATO's Helicopter Agency (NAHEMO) which the French and
Germans had held up as a model. PermReps agreed to discuss
the issue further in an informal meeting that afternoon.

--Review of the Peacetime Establishment of the NATO Command
Structure: Despite Spanish and Italian statements that there
was no point in discussing the issue at the June 14-15
Defense Ministerial because they were firmly opposed to the
SYG,s compromise proposal, the SYG said he would still raise
the issue with Ministers and in his bilateral meetings with
Defense Ministers.

--Training Cooperation Initiative: The SYG and CMC Henault
informed the NAC that the IMS will issue an agreed NTCI paper
today under silence procedure to expire next week.

--Missile Defense: The SYG announced the Executive Working
Group's (EWG) conclusions and recommendations on Missile
Defense (C-M(2207)0051) had passed silence in the NAC.

--Improving the Implementation of the Agreed NRF Concept:
Ambassador Nuland stated that U.S. contributions had saved
the NRF to date, but if the NRF is not reformed it will be
very difficult for the U.S. to continue to fill the NRF given
the U.S. operations tempo. The Ambassador proposed reviewing
the SRF and NRF in parallel processes rather than jointly, in
order to address French and German concerns.

--Any Other Business: The Danish PermRep urged the PermReps
to quickly finalize the Comprehensive Approach Action Plan.

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The UK PermRep suggested it be discussed during the Defense
Ministerial, which the SYG agreed to, as he outlined the way
forward after the ministerial.

END SUMMARY.

Afghanistan
--------------

2. (C) The SYG stated he would raise with Defense Ministers
at the June 14-15 Ministerial the issue of civilian
casualties, noting the press would raise it with him. In
addition to the need to strengthen ISAF-OEF coordination, he
reiterated the need to promptly investigate allegations of
civilian casualties, and he urged Allies to implement the use
of post-operation humanitarian relief funds in theater. The
SYG expressed disappointment at significant shortfalls in
NATO embedded training support (OMLTs) to the ANA, despite
recent additional offers, as well as the lack of current
offers to NATO,s ANA equipment support trust fund, which has
resulted in several Allied pledges not moving to Afghanistan
due to lack of transportation.


3. (C) CMC Henault provided a brief rundown of ISAF results
from the June 12 force generation conference at SHAPE.
Noting the results had been "modestly positive," he still
pointed to significant shortfalls in ISAF,s CJSOR. Even
with new OMLT offers, (5 from Canada, 3 from France, 1 from
Poland, 1 from Italy, 1 from Romania, and 1 from Latvia),as
the ANA increases in size under CSTC-A tutelage, NATO will
have only filled 32 out of the 59 OMLTs that will be required
by February 2008. ISAF still lacks strategic and operational
reserve forces, and a significant mobility shortfall looms as
U.S. helos are currently scheduled to leave Kandahar when the
one-year bridging commitment expires in July 2007. Other
significant shortfalls include the lack of PRTs and maneuver
battalions in Nimroz and Dai Kundi provinces. The Czechs
intend to establish a PRT in Logar, pending final
governmental approval in Prague.


4. (C) New SHAPE Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations MG Rudy
Wright told the NAC that more than 15 operations throughout
the Regional Commands were ongoing in support of ISAF's
pan-theater effort, Operation Now Ruz. Operation Adalat in
RC-South continued as a full spectrum effort, he stated, with
engagement of district and provincial leaders, and in close
cooperation with the Afghan security forces. MG Wright cited
Operation Maiwan in RC-East as the first Afghan-led
Corps-level operation. The operation, which is targeting
elements of the Taliban shadow government, involves one ANA
brigade and one U.S. brigade.


5. (C) During discussion, the Norwegian PermRep informed the
NAC that Norway had decided to provide an equipment package
to the ANA consisting of mortars, heavy machine guns, small
arms, and ammunition, plus necessary training, in quantities
sufficient to equip two brigades.

Balkans
--------------

6. (C) The SYG noted the ongoing difficulties at the UN
associated with Russia's inflexibility toward a new UN
Security Council Resolution for Kosovo. He noted the
disappointment in the region following last week,s G-8
summit and updated the NAC on the June 12 meeting of Quint
Political Directors saying that while Directors had explored
next steps in the UN process, there was no certainty Russia
would show more flexibility. The CMC and MG Wright provided

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an operational update on the security situation in Kosovo
saying that further delays in the process could engender
sympathy for and encouragement to Kosovo Albanian radicals,
particularly SDM leader Albin Kurti. Wright noted that a
unilateral declaration of independence was a possibility in
the event there was no new resolution. Both CMC and Wright
emphasized the need for political guidance related to both
the transition period and new tasks associated with final
status. CMC noted SACEUR,s concern that the lack of proper
political guidance could set a negative precedent for other
NATO missions where troops on the ground are forced to
operate on an ad hoc basis.


7. (C) Ambassador Nuland, supported by the UK PermRep,
emphasized that Quint Political Directors were strongly
united on the need to accelerate work on a UN Security
Council resolution. This conclusion argued for a strong
statement in the upcoming Defense Minister's Communiqu
supporting UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari,s Comprehensive
Proposal and welcoming a new UN Security Council resolution.
Anything less would only embolden Russia's inflexibility.
The SYG, responding to the Dutch PermRep,s inquiry about the
consequences of a failure to adopt a new UN Security Council
resolution followed by Kosovo,s unilateral declaration of
independence, said that while NATO would continue with
contingency planning it was time to hold an informal
discussion among PermReps on potential consequences.

Darfur
--------------

8. (C) The SYG reported on recent diplomatic activity
regarding Darfur, including an apparent agreement between the
African Union and the UN over the structure of the "hybrid"
force. The SYG cautioned that this agreement may limit the
deployment of non-African troops. MG Wright noted the Spring
2007 AMIS troop rotation had been completed (the fourth that
NATO has supported). In total, NATO has now airlifted more
than 22,000 AMIS troops. Wright said the pending UN/AU
"heavy support package" would include one Rwandan battalion
and one Nigerian battalion, and that NATO may receive a
request to move these units. The International Military
Staff will send a representative to the AMIS partners group
meeting in NYC next week, in part to coordinate these issues.


Somalia
--------------

9. (C) The SYG noted Allies had agreed in principle to NATO
support for the AU Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). He will send
a note verbale to the AU confirming this, and is also in
contact with UN SYG Ban Ki Moon. No specific request for
airlift has yet been received from the AU. MG Wright assured
PermReps that NATO is ready to provide assistance as
required. CMC Gen Henault said NATO,s current mandate for
supporting AMIS will expire at the end of June, and that for
AMISOM will expire August 21.

Iraq
--------------

10. (C) The SYG characterized yesterday's Council agreement
to implement and commonly fund the Gendarmerie Training Plan
as a welcome development for the joint Iraqi and NATO
objective of Iraqis assuming responsibility for their own
training. He also extended a warm welcome to incoming
Commander of NTM-I, General Dubick, and recognized the
excellent job General Dempsey has done in this role, and said
that General Dempsey had been awarded the NATO Meritorious

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Service Medal.

Strategic Airlift Capability Initiative
--------------

11. (C) The SYG noted Monday's coffee discussion on strategic
lift, as well as SG (2007) 0393, which included a draft
political directive and addressed legal issues related to the
C-17 program. He said that if PermReps could not reach
agreement he would raise the issue with Defense Minister at
their ministerial. ASG for Defense Investment Peter Flory
noted consensus has not yet been reached on issues concerning
ownership and liability of the C-17s, despite a new proposal
that would "somewhat" shift ownership of the planes from NATO
to the NATO Airlift Management Organization (NAMO). The NATO
legal advisor has provided new guidance, and Flory said
Allies are working with PfP and SAC countries to reach
agreement.


12. (C) The SYG asked PermReps if they feel a political
declaration on strategic airlift is required. Ambassador
Nuland said that, after analyzing both the NAMO model and the
NATO Helicopter for the 1990s Management Organization
(NAHEMO) model, it is clear that ownership provisions,
contracting authority, and legal and financial
responsibilities are nearly identical between the two.
French Ambassador Duque said that, while France welcomes the
purchase of aircraft by the international consortium, the
"final ownership" of the planes is a cause for concern, and
that France still had other "issues to be settled" (without
going into details). The German PermRep said it is too early
to make any decision based on the SYG,s suggestions, and
called for further discussions after the ministerial. UK
PermRep Eldon noted the strategic airlift initiative is an
important potential deliverable for the Defense Ministerial,
and asked for specifics of the remaining French concerns,
adding there has already been four weeks of extensive
discussions. He supported a political declaration, if needed
to move the initiative forward.


13. (C) The Romanian PermRep said it would be "costly to
prolong the process" and that his DefMin will come out in
support of the initiative at the ministerial. The Italian
PermRep, while stressing that airlift is a priority, said it
may be too early for a final arrangement due to questions of
ownership and liability. Both the Hungarian and Bulgarian
Ambassadors supported a political declaration, if needed, and
called for more "pragmatism." French PermRep Duque reiterated
French concerns over ownership of the aircraft, but then
dodged giving further details of French objections, saying
these have already been explained at expert's meetings.
Ambassador Nuland said the NAHEMO agreement had, in the 90's,
provided sufficient guidance on ownership for four countries
to procure helicopters. The SYG said he attaches great
importance to the C-17 program, and will do what he can to
facilitate an agreement. Ambassador Nuland asked the SYG to
provide additional drafts documents for delegations to
consider during further discussions during the afternoon of
June 14.


14. (C) During the PermReps Coffee meeting following the NAC,
France and Germany reiterated their concerns about NATO (or
NAMO) ownership. Several other nations responded with their
positions in support of the NAMO charter and its protection
from liability for non-participants. The U.S. indicated this
issue would be a topic for bilateral discussions with Germany
and France.


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Review of the Peacetime Establishment of the NATO Command
Structure
-------------- --------------

15. (C) The Spanish and Italian PermReps stated the issue was
not ripe for consensus since they could not agree to the
compromise proposal put forward by the SYG. They suggested
there was no point to further discussion among PermReps that
afternoon or among Defense Ministers at the June 14-15
Ministerial. The UK and German PermReps supported the SYG's
proposal. The French PermRep said the review should also
examine where savings could be realized, which is why France
had suggested a high-level examination of the command
structure, especially in the intelligence and training
functions. The SYG said that even if the issue was not ripe
for agreement at the Ministerial, he would still raise the
issue at the Defense Ministerial and in his bilateral
meetings with Ministers in an attempt to reach an agreement.

Training Cooperation Initiative
--------------

16. (C) The SYG and CMC Henault told NAC that IMS will issue
an agreed NTCI paper today under silence procedure to expire
next week. (NOTE: Even while CMC was informing the NAC about
the silence procedure, France was working with the IMS to
insert additional "key points overlooked" by their MC rep
yesterday. The French have indicated privately that they
will likely break at the end of silence period next week.)

Missile Defense
--------------

17. (C) The SYG announced the Executive Working Group's
conclusions and recommendations on Missile Defense
(C-M(2207)0051) had passed silence in the NAC. The report
will be given to Defense Ministers at the June 14-15
Ministerial and the EWG will submit a comprehensive report to
the Council on missile defense taskings in advance of planned
Ministerial meetings in February 2008.

Improving the Implementation of the Agreed NRF Concept
-------------- --------------

18. (C) The SYG pointed out that three countries had broken
silence on the proposed text of a tasker seeking options to
improve the NRF concept. He stressed it was unacceptable to
allow ISAF to founder while other forces in the NRF or
Strategic Reserve Force (SRF) were available. The June 12
NRF force generation conference had resulted in decreases in
the number of forces pledged for NRF rotations 9 through 12.
He said that doing nothing to change the NRF concept would
lead Allies to question the existence of the NRF itself.


19. (C) Ambassador Nuland added that Allies should expect
strong statements from Secretary Gates at the Ministerial on
the Alliance's failure to make progress on this issue. U.S.
contributions had saved the NRF to date, she said, and
cautioned that if the NRF is not reformed it will be very
difficult for the U.S. to continue to fill the NRF given the
U.S. operations tempo. Frustration with the lack of progress
on reform is what is driving the U.S. to consider only token
contributions to the NRF. The Dutch PermRep said that if
reform of the NRF is blocked, it will inevitably destroy the
NRF.


20. (C) The French and German PermReps noted their main
difficulty was with the link between the Strategic Reserve
Forces (SRF) and the NRF. Ambassador Nuland suggested that,
to address their concerns, a review of NATO's reserve force
be conducted in parallel to the review of the NRF rather than

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done in a combined manner. In response to Nuland's request
for clarification on France's objections to the part of the
review related to 30 day deployments, France said 30 days was
too long and they wanted the Military Committee (MC) to
examine various options to determine which parts of the NRF
could be deployed in less than 30 days. Several PermReps
noted the 30 days was a maximum not a minimum time for
deployment, so it could be much shorter. The UK PermRep and
the SYG pointed out the MC had asked the NAC for guidance on
how NRF deployments would be funded, so the NAC could not
respond by sending a tasking back to the MC. Nuland pointed
out that all the NAC was trying to do was task advice; no
decisions were being made. In six months since Riga the NAC
had not even been able to task advice. The SYG agreed to
place the issue on the agenda for a PermReps coffee that
afternoon.

AOB: Comprehensive Approach
--------------

21. (C) The Danish PermRep recognized that much progress had
been made on the Comprehensive Approach but regretted that no
full agreement had been reached yet. He acknowledged it
could not be solved before the ministerial but hoped to
preserve the momentum of negotiations and reach an agreement
as soon as possible. The UK PermRep agreed and suggested
that Defense Ministers discuss this topic, using a similar
approach to the Oslo Foreign Ministerial. The SYG responded
that he will raise Comprehensive Approach with Defense
Ministers. Shortly after the ministerial, the SYG will take
this topic up with Ambassadors in another forum to analyze
and assess the Ministers, discussion. If, after this, no
agreement is reached on the full Comprehensive Approach the
SYG will task the SPC to identify the common ground reached
so far and the issues remaining to be resolved and provide
suggestions on how to move forward.


NULAND