NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - NOVEMBER 14, 2007

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000607

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - NOVEMBER 14, 2007

REF: USNATO 592

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


1. (C/NF) Summary from the NAC Meeting:

-- Afghanistan: The SYG expressed his disappointment with the
Amnesty International report on detainees in Afghanistan.
Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee (D/CMC) Eikenberry
reported on his visit to Afghanistan, noting among other
things the operational importance of JFC Brunssum, ANA
training, and last week's force generation conference which
he characterized as "disappointing." After several PermReps
expressed concern about the drafting of a military campaign
plan before work was completed on the comprehensive strategic
political-military document for Afghanistan tasked by Defense
Ministers at the Noordwijk Ministerial. The SYG, Ambassador
Nuland and several other PermReps noted that work on a
military campaign plan can complement ongoing work on the
strategic pol-mil document.

-- Balkans: The SYG reminded the Council that Kosovo will
hold elections on November 17 and that the next meeting of
the Troika with the parties will take place on November 20 in
Brussels. The D/CMC briefed the Council that KFOR remains
ready to respond to any threats to the safe and secure
environment during the election period and the conclusion of
the Troika process.

-- Darfur: No discussion.

-- Iraq: The SYG said PermReps would hold an informal
discussion next week on the proposals contained in Italy,s
letter on reinforcing NATO training at NTM-I.

-- Implementation Management in the NATO Security Investment
Programme (NSIP): The Senior Resource Board (SRB) Chairman
briefed that due to new control mechanisms and procurement
procedures, expenditures have improved this year, reversing a
five-year trend of low rates. D/CMC Eikenberry stated his
continued concern over the slow implementation resulting in
delay of needed capabilities. Several PermReps commended the
report but commented that there is much work left to do.

-- Statements on Political Subjects: Turkish PermRep Ildem
informed the NAC about the visit of Israeli President Peres
and Palestinian President Abbas to Turkey, and the visit of
the Georgian Prime Minister. PermRep Nuland gave a look
ahead toward the UNSC upcoming agenda.

-- AOB: Ambassador Nuland gave the Council a readout of her
findings from her recent interagency trip to Croatia, Albania
and Macedonia.

END SUMMARY.

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


2. (C/NF) The SYG mentioned the Amnesty International report
on torture of detainees in Afghanistan, saying he is
"disappointed" that A.I. chose to put ISAF on the front cover
of the report because the issue is complicated and the IRoA
has responsibility for the detainees once they are handed
over by ISAF. NATO's position, as outlined in recent press
guidance, remains valid. NATO should continue to engage with
other organizations on this issue and SYG has asked SCR
Everts to monitor developments in Kabul.


3. (C/NF) D/CMC Eikenberry reported on his October 31 through
November 4 visit to Afghanistan. He noted the handover of
Kandahar airfield to ISAF was proceeding well and that
challenges remain, but it provided useful lessons for future
similar operations. The D/CMC also said that JFC Brunssum
has an important role as the operational command, and this
role will only increase in the future.


4. (C/NF) In RC-South, the training and mentoring of the ANA
is going well, particularly with the UK Task Force and the
Danish Battle Group. This training is extending the reach of
the IRoA into new areas. However, the slow development of
the ANP, especially due to the shortage of embedded trainers
(OMLTs),is jeopardizing the ANA,s development, because it
requires the ANA to do policing functions.


5. (C/NF) The D/CMC characterized as "disappointing" the
results of last week's SHAPE force generation conference. He
also noted that President Karzai met this week with Kabul
elders and committed to greater efforts against corrupt
government officials in Kabul.


6. (C/NF) During the operational brief, International
Military Staff Assistant Director for Operations MG LiGobbi
noted that Pakistani President Musharraf is being challenged
internally, but that events in Pakistan have not impacted
ISAF operations in Afghanistan.


7. (C/NF) LiGobbi briefed on continued hi-tempo activities by
Opposing Militant Forces (OMF),including last week's Baghlan
bombing. Thus far there have been no results in the
Afghan-led investigation into the November 6 bombing. He
said as winter approaches, the number of OMF incidents may
drop, and these incidents are likely to change in nature as
OMF conduct more indirect/asymmetrical operations.


8. (C/NF) In Kabul, the suicide IED threat continues to
hamper ISAF movements. In RC-West and North, Operation
HAREKATE YOLO 2 is being led by ANA 209th Corps. In
RC-West, ANA 207th Corps and the Qal-e-Now PRT are active in
the Murghab area of Badghis. OMF is also active in Farah
province, where they attack district centers for propaganda
value. One center, Gulistan, has been retaken by the ANA.
Planning is underway to retake Bakwa center in the next 10
days. In RC-South, ANA/OEF operations are ongoing in Musa
Qala and are targeting OMF leadership. Intel indicates OMF
may try to capture district centers in Kandahar. In RC-East,
the ANA is leading an operation in Paktika, and ANA/ISAF are
conducting an operation in Laghman province. Other
operations continue in the Tora Bora area, Paktia, and Khost.
The Afghan Special Narcotics Force recently had a successful
operation in Nangarhar in which it seized drugs and destroyed
labs. U.S. ISAF forces supported this operation by providing
lift into the area.


9. (C/NF) The SYG noted there has been discussion of a
military campaign plan being worked by COMISAF and JFC
Brunssum. He emphasized that such a plan is not official
unless approved by the NAC. After several PermReps expressed
concern about the drafting of a military campaign plan before
work was completed on the comprehensive strategic
political-military document for Afghanistan tasked by Defense
Ministers at the Noordwijk Ministerial, the SYG noted that
the military can and should draft its own military planning
documents, but on a separate track from the larger strategic
pol-mil plan now being worked.


10. (C/NF) Ambassador Nuland thanked LiGobbi for the
operations briefing, commenting that it was a model for
future briefs. She added that the U.S. will provide more
information at a later time about the Nurestan ambush of U.S.
forces (D/CMC Eikenberry added that foreign fighters had been
a concern in Nurestan for many years). Regarding incidents
in Farah, she asked if they are linked to the fact that
neighboring Nimroz province has no permanent security
presence. LiGobbi affirmed that is the case, as this absence
allows OMF and criminal activity to flourish; he also noted
the ring road runs through the area and the Iran border is
nearby. Ambassador Nuland asked about the effects and status
of the Musa Qala operations, and LiGobbi responded that it is
an ANA/OEF operation. The operation is "coordinated" with
ISAF, which is not directly involved. Regarding the campaign
plan raised by the SYG, Ambassador Nuland noted the NAC
should not discourage military planning in military channels,
saying such a military plan would reinforce the strategic
pol-mil document that will be presented at Bucharest.


11. (C/NF) UK PermRep Eldon agreed with Ambassador Nuland
regarding the campaign plans, commenting that the planning
has two elements: the pol-mil strategic planning and
subordinate military planning. He concurred that the NAC
should encourage military planning but should not discuss it
publicly. He asked for input from COMISAF in the coming
months about his general intent and direction. Eldon noted
that operations like the Nangarhar counternarcotics
operation, conducted with ISAF lift support, could be helpful
to demonstrate to allied capitals how ISAF can use the OPLAN
to support the IRoA on counternarcotics activities. LiGobbi
undertook to provide more information, and Ambassador Nuland
noted that it had been U.S. ISAF helicopter lift support
provided to the Afghan forces.


12. (C/NF) Canada PermRep McRae complimented LiGobbi,s
brief, noting that it helpfully linked ISAF efforts to OMF
activities, and also appreciated the update on how events in
Pakistan impact ISAF in Afghanistan. McRae underlined the
urgency of D/CMC Eikenberry,s assessment of the ANP and the
OMLT shortage. Regarding the EUPOL mission, McRae was
concerned that EUPOL may not be operational for six to twelve
months, in large part due to procurement problems having to
do with EU regulations. He requested further information,
which the SYG undertook to get from EU High Representative
Solana. McRae supported Ambassador Nuland's point on the
campaign plans, adding that NATO should begin to develop a
public track as well as a confidential internal track.


13. (C/NF) Dutch PermRep Schaper asked LiGobbi about his
slide presentation, which illustrated a higher number of
"incidents" in 2007 than previous years, and asked whether it
demonstrated a worsening situation in Afghanistan. LiGobbi
responded that "incidents" include many different types of
events from bombs to combat to IEDs, hence it is difficult to
compare year-over-year numbers.


14. (C/NF) Bulgaria PermRep Ivanov asked for clarification on
the situation in Kabul and for clarification on the
supplying/equipping of the ANA. LiGobbi noted that the IED
threat in Kabul hampers movement and undertook to provide an
answer later regarding ANA supplies while noting the ongoing
several million dollar shortfall in funds to transport
donated equipment to Afghanistan for the ANA.


15. (C/NF) Hungary PermRep Martinusz supported Ambassador
Nuland's point on the strategic pol-mil document. He said
that the term "campaign plan" has a specific military meaning
and should be used in its proper context. He also asked for
a military assessment of a recent UNAMA report saying that
suicide bombers are in part motivated by the conduct of ISAF
troops, and LiGobbi undertook to provide an answer later.
Martinusz added that the Hungarian Embassy in Kabul has
reported on some meetings among EU Heads of Mission in Kabul,
but not NATO HOMs. He urged that NATO HOMs hold their own
meetings.


16. (C/NF) Spain PermRep Benavides supported Ambassador
Nuland's point on the strategic pol-mil document and noted
that consideration of the December Ministerial communique
will begin next week, and provide a chance to give guidance
to the document. The document should include inputs from all
sources, including the military, UN, EU and other
organizations, if it is to be a useful for Bucharest.

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


17. (C/NF) The SYG reminded the Council of the upcoming
municipal elections for Kosovo on November 17 and pointed out
that to date there have been no serious security incidents,
although UNMIK has denounced the threats and intimidation of
those K-Serbs who are willing to participate and vote. The
SYG further mentioned that the next meeting of the Troika
with the parties will take place on November 20 in Brussels.
The D/CMC briefed the Council that KFOR remains ready to
respond to any threats to the safe and secure environment
during the election period and the conclusion of the Troika
process. He noted that KFOR has increased its patrolling and
operational tempo along the border areas of Kosovo with
Serbia and Macedonia and that Germany will deploy its
operational reserve unit on November 16 for one month in
order to conduct an in-theatre rehearsal. He also announced
that the Czech Republic will increase by one maneuver company
its contingent currently serving in Multi-National Task
Force-Centre and that the U.S. had also deployed four Apache
attack helicopters and a Bradley mechanized platoon to
reinforce its contingent in Multi-National Task Force-East
through mid-December. Finally, he said that SHAPE's autumn
2007 operational update for the Balkans joint area of
operations will be forwarded to NATO's international military
staff this week. Both Spain and Bulgaria requested more
information regarding media and other reports of increased of
Serbian forces on Kosovo,s border and on Albanian
paramilitary units operating in Kosovo. D/CMC responded by
saying he would need to get more detailed information and
would respond to their questions.

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


18. (C/NF) The SYG said that Italy has issued a paper on
reinforcing NATO training at NTM-I. PermReps will discuss
the Italian ideas in another forum next week. (See reftel.)

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Implementation Management in the NSIP
--------------


19. (C/NF) The Senior Resources Board (SRB) Chairman briefed
the Council on the current status of NSIP expenditures. He
stated that due to new control mechanisms and procurement
procedures, expenditures have improved this year, reversing a
five-year trend of low rates.


20. (C/NF) D/CMC Eikenberry indicated that he was still
concerned over the slow rate of implementation resulting in
the delay of needed capabilities. The Military Committee
(MC) is working on ways to improve the program and process.
PermReps from Denmark, Canada, Poland, France, UK,
Netherlands, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Estonia all
commended the report, but commented that there is much work
left to do. Additionally they indicated prioritization of
capabilities for operations was still a concern, but has
improved. They gave strong support for continued refinement
of the process and requested regular feedback.

--------------
Statements on Political Subjects
--------------


21. (C/NF) Turkish PermRep Ildem reported that Israeli
President Peres and Palestinian President Abbas addressed the
Turkish Parliament and met with a variety of Turkish leaders
including President Gul, PM Erdogan, FM Babecan, and
Parliament Speaker Toptan during their visit this week.
PermRep Ildem said that a number of regional issues had been
discussed and he hoped the Ankara forum could be an
opportunity to help move along the peace process. He also
noted that Turkey was pushing to help develop Israeli and
Palestinian economic cooperation in both the West Bank and
Gaza, which is one of Quartet Envoy Blair's seven key issues
ahead of the proposed Summit at Annapolis.


22. (C/NF) PermRep Ildem also noted that the Georgian Prime
Minister was due in Ankara today and that all issues would be
on the table, including the current political situation in
Georgia and the situations in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.


23. (C/NF) Ambassador Nuland previewed the upcoming agenda of
the UNSC. She said it would be important that High
Representative Lajcak receive strong support during his
November 15 briefing to the UNSC, as he had when he briefed
the NAC last week. During the November 20 UNSCR open debate
on the protection of civilians in armed conflict it would be
important to strongly condemn the tactics of the OMF in
Afghanistan of deliberately targeting civilians and using
them as human shields, she said.

---
AOB
---


24. (C/NF) Ambassador Nuland told the Council that she had
just returned from leading a U.S. interagency delegation to
Croatia, Macedonia, and Albania to inspect firsthand the
progress being made in each NATO aspirant. She noted that
she would be distributing to PermReps a copy of the homework
she had given to each capital outlining areas in which they
needed to make further improvements. Ambassador Nuland said
she had told the Croatians they were on track for an
invitation, but had to be sure momentum did not slow and had
to work to improve public support for NATO. In Albania, she
said they had done very well with internal reforms undertaken
thus far, but had more to do, especially in the field of
judicial reform. In addition, transparency, corruption, and
trafficking were all issues that had to be further addressed.
While it was not excepted that Albania would pass electoral
reform by the Bucharest Summit, it was important that the
political parties at least begin the process of drafting
legislation. Finally, on Macedonia, Ambassador Nuland said
she had been very clear with Skopje that it had not done
nearly enough in the last six months. The May 29 Agreement
needed to be implemented immediately, and reforms needed to
be instituted in a way they have not been yet. In addition,
she admonished Macedonia for not taking the opportunity to
fully engage in the UN talks on the name issue with Greece.
The Ambassador concluded by noting that she believed that the
Macedonians had received the message.
NULAND