Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USNATO585
2007-10-31 18:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Mission USNATO
Cable title:  

RFG: NTM-I 2007 PERIODIC MISSION REVIEW

Tags:  NATO PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHNO #0585 3041821
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311821Z OCT 07
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1328
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD PRIORITY 0373
UNCLAS USNATO 000585 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO RPM: CDAVY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NATO PREL
SUBJECT: RFG: NTM-I 2007 PERIODIC MISSION REVIEW

UNCLAS USNATO 000585

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO RPM: CDAVY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NATO PREL
SUBJECT: RFG: NTM-I 2007 PERIODIC MISSION REVIEW


1. SUMMARY: This is an action request, see paragraph 4. The
Autumn 2007 Periodic Mission Review (PMR) of NATO Training
Mission - Iraq (NTM-I) has passed NATO's Military Committee
(MC) and the Policy Coordination Group (PCG) will meet on
November 9 to consider recommendations to the North Atlantic
Council (NAC). Mission requests guidance for the PCG
discussion on the PMR text. END SUMMARY.


2. The PMR has passed through the MC without a break of
silence. (The PMR and attachments were e-mailed to EUR/RPM).
The Iraqi Military Academy at Ar Rustamiyah (IMAR) is where
NTM-I has focused its training efforts, with over 4500 Iraqis
having been trained there and the Iraqi Joint Staff College
and Iraqi Training and Doctrine Command having been
established there. NTM-I always envisioned that its training
mission would transition to a mentoring role, and this is set
to happen at IMAR in August 2008 when the permanent NTM-I
footprint will be removed.


3. However, some Allies are construing the success at IMAR to
mean that the entire NTM-I mission is poised to move to its
end-state. And unfortunately, the PCG cover letter, from the
office of A/SYG Martin Howard, states: "NATO's mentoring role
in Iraq can expect to conclude by August 2008 with the
mission having reached its initial objectives." The PMR
itself notes that a "political decision will be needed in
spring 2008 as to whether the mission should terminate or
continue to provide niche capabilities." The Iraqi
government has made a number of requests for such additional
niche training.


4. USNATO requests specific guidance on the draft PMR for the
November 9 PCG meeting to enable post to shape the PMR to
make it consistent with our long-term vision for NTM-I, ie.
to preserve our option to maintain NTM-I and to be able to
respond to any future Iraqi requests for training.
NULAND