NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT AUGUST 14 2007

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 USNATO 000453 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2017 TAGS: NATO PREL AF SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT AUGUST 14 2007 REF: A. STATE 113488 ¶B. STATE 112715 Classified By: CDA Richard G. Olson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary from the NAC Meeting: -- Afghanistan: D/SYG commented favorably on the recent Jirga in Kabul, as Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee (DCMC) highlighted the ISAF security for the event. SHAPE MG Wright provided the operational brief, highlighting the current period of high-tempo activity in RC-S while observing the critical shortfall of helicopters on the ground there. He also noted the possibility of ISAF,s assigning a liaison officer to Pakistan, and stated that force generation for Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams (OMLTs) is encouraging. -- Balkans: D/SYG provided a readout of the Contact Group meeting in London. He said that the Contact Group Troika members had been invited to NATO to update the NAC during the course of the new negotiation period. -- Somalia: D/SYG noted that the African Union (AU) request for continued NATO support for the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) passed silence on 09 Aug. -- Iraq: D/SYG briefed the NAC on attacks on Ar-Rustimayah - no NATO casualties reported. He added that the UNSC had given UNAMI a 12-month extension. -- Statements on Political Subjects: Allies discussed current status of the Georgia missile incident and NATO,s role. CDA stated that work on border and airspace transparency between Georgia and the Alliance should be accelerated in light of the recent events. D/SYG summarized comments from yesterday's Political Committee meeting on the issue. END SUMMARY. Afghanistan -------------- ¶2. (C) DSYG commented favorably on last week,s Jirga in Kabul, noting both sides, desire to strengthen anti-terror efforts, including cross-border steps. ISAF supported the security for the event, which involved 700 participants. Negotiations are ongoing for the South Korean hostages. DCMC Eikenberry said that supporting Jirga security had dominated RC-Capital planning in recent weeks since the Jirga was known to be a high priority Taliban target. Kabul was &generally calm8 during the Jirga. All of RC-Capital,s Battle Groups supported the ANSF and they also had a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) on standby. Security was led and coordinated by the ANSF, which represents a significant step forward in their abilities. ¶3. (C) MG Wright provided SHAPE,s operational briefing, noting that the RC-Capital is tense but stable with an increase in OMF activity in neighboring provinces. RC-East has seen a decrease in cross-border activities since the Red Mosque raid, suggesting that OMF are focused on activities within Pakistan. RC-South had a period of high-tempo, particularly in northern Helmand and Kandahar. The OMF,s goal is to isolate Kandahar city. Operation Chakush ended on Aug 9, in support of security in the Kajaki Dam area. Two more Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) are being established at Garmshir and Chora. Planning is underway for Operation Maldar in western Kandahar province. RC-West had an increase in activity, particularly in Farah province. RC-North was tense but stable. ¶4. (C) There is a continuing critical shortfall of USNATO 00000453 002 OF 003 helicopters in RC-South. A recent ground accident damaged five CH-47s, but four will return to operations quickly. (DCMC Eikenberry later returned to this point and emphasized the urgent need for helicopters.) ¶5. (C) MG Wright also noted that the proposal for ISAF to send a liaison officer to Pakistan is under silence at SHAPE until Aug 14. Force generation for OMLTs is encouraging, with 15 new OMLTs pledged, though most will not become operational until 2008. ACO/ACT are forwarding a request for funds to accelerate OMLT training, too. The ANA continue to develop, with 11 of 27 battalions now capable of independent ops. A brigade is slated for deployment to Uruzgan. MG Wright presented updates on two inquiries into civilian casualties (Chora and Goresh) under SACEUR review. He said the SYG may receive final reports as early as next week. ¶6. (C) The UK PermRep noted that the UK Defense Secretary was in Kabul last week and was encouraged by military progress in the south and east, but was also struck by the need to get the ANSF trained. He asked if there are lessons learned from Operation Chakush, and an assessment of OMF responses to the operation; MG Wright replied that an assessment will be coming out. ¶7. (C) CDA Olson briefed Allies on Ref A (Disrupting External Financing to the Taliban). The paper will be circulated to Allies. He also delivered Ref B demarche. The paper will be circulated to Allies today. There was no reaction from Allies. ¶8. (C) The Netherlands PermRep asked about the setting up of new FOBs, noting that while ISAF expands its footprint, COMISAF &complains about the lack of troops.8 Asked how this relates to the ongoing CJSOR review, MG Wright responded that the FOBs are important because they allow ISAF to hold ground that is cleared during operations, and that the FOBs will ultimately be handed over to the ANSF. DCMC Eikenberry added that SACEUR and COMISAF will be in the NAC soon, and can field these questions, but noted that the CJSOR review is not event driven, it is an annual review independent of FOBs and troop levels. Balkans -------------- ¶9. (C) The D/SYG provided a readout to the NAC of last Thursday's meeting of the expanded Contact Group in London saying that the meeting established a way forward for the new period of engagement between the two parties over Kosovo,s status. DASYG Pardew on behalf of NATO invited the Troika members to update the NAC during the process at some point to be determined in the future. The Troika is scheduled to report on the way forward in a conference call to the Contact Group on August 15 and to receive additional guidance following the Troika's visits last weekend to Belgrade and Pristina. Somalia -------------- ¶10. (C) The African Union (AU) request for continued NATO support for the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 21 Feb 08 passed silence on 09 Aug. SHAPE has been authorized to respond to any AU requests in accordance with established procedures. Iraq -------------- ¶11. (C) The D/SYG reported on recent attacks on Ar-Rustimayah, where NTM-I operates. Although no NATO troops were injured, the D/SYG reminded everyone that the insurgents make no distinction between Coalition and NATO forces. He also announced the 12 month extension by the UN Security USNATO 00000453 003 OF 003 Council of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). UNSCR 1770 enhances the role and activities of the UN Special Representative in areas such as national reconciliation, regional dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and human rights. The D/SYG welcomed the news and expected a small UNAMI personnel increase. Statements on Political Subjects -------------- ¶12. (C) The Spanish Charge, as OSCE Chair representative, announced the last public statement on the Georgia missile incident by OSCE Chairman Moratinos on August 8. In that statement Moratinos encouraged the parties involved to continue to show restraint, stressed that a cooperative approach should facilitate a thorough investigation into the facts (and that such an investigation should include all interested parties),and declared that the OSCE would cooperate with the investigation &within the framework of its mandate.8 The Spanish Charge then indicated that the situation remained under review at the OSCE and that future steps were being contemplated, but reinforced the fact that there has been no decision on an OSCE investigation. He then informed Allies that no Joint Monitoring Teams had been deployed within the last few days because of disagreements between Georgian and Russian officials, and stressed that this issue must not derail progress on the broader objective of resolving the Ossetia conflict. ¶13. (C) CDA Olson remarked that he was only discussing NATO,s role in the Georgia missile incident under &Political Subjects8 because the Spanish Charge had first raised the issue, stressing that NATO should not subordinate itself to OSCE, and that the Alliance be clear on its decisions regarding the matter. He then stated that over the long-term, it was important to continue to improve border and airspace transparency between Georgia and the Alliance in light of the recent events, and that work on this (through the Air Defense Situation Exchange, for example) should be both accelerated and given a higher priority. ¶14. (C) The D/SYG reported on the August 13 Political Committee's discussion on the Georgia missile incident, where Allies expressed broad support for an independent, international investigation, but indicated that it was unlikely that this would be led by the OSCE, which is currently playing a mediating role. D/SYG then informed Allies about NATO media statements on Georgia, which will continue to say that the Alliance remains in contact with Georgian officials and that the matter will continue to be discussed at various levels within the Alliance. OLSON