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

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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

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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