NEXT STEPS WITH ALLIES ON AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L WELLINGTON 000146

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/FO, EAP/ANP, EAP/RSP, EUR/FO, AND EUR/RPM
PHNOM PENH FOR POLCOUNS MCKEAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: MARR MOPS PINS PREL PGOV NZ
SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS WITH ALLIES ON AFGHANISTAN

REF: SECSTATE 13880

Classified By: DCM David J. Keegan,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: The GNZ understands the pressures for more
resources in Afghanistan and will review carefully our
request for additional NATO/ISAF commitments. Current NZ
Defence Force (NZDF) deployments to Afghanistan will likely
be extended through September 2009, but GNZ will probably not
increase its commitments, either for the operational needs
cited reftel or for a new Special Forces redeployment. The
Ministry of Defence says it cannot offer more because NZDF
needs to be able to maintain its forces in the Solomons and
in E.Timor. Australia has asked New Zealand to take on more
of the burden in Timor, to help enable Australia to cover its
efforts elsewhere. End Summary.


2. (C) On February 14, Pol-Econ Couns and DATT met with
Deputy Defence Secretary Chris Seed to discuss reftel request
for further contributions to Afghanistan and NATO-ISAF. Seed
said our request was not unexpected. Over the past months,
senior NATO officials and NATO member leaders have made more
general requests to PM Clark, Defence Minister Goff, and
Foreign Minister Peters. NATO SG de Joop Scheffer also
raised the issue during Minister Goff's January visit to
Europe. Canada and the UK have made specific requests for NZ
contributions to their own operations in Afghanistan, and New
Zealand Embassy officials have attended briefings at the
State Department. Seed said that as a result of these
conversations, the GNZ fully understands the pressures ISAF
is facing. He promised to formally submit the list to
Defence Minister Goff and senior Defence and Foreign Ministry
officials, and said they would review it carefully.


3. (C) Seed said that he expects that GNZ Ministers will
within the next few weeks agree to extend NZDF's PRT
deployment to September 2009, from its current mandate of
September 2007. It is also likely the Ministers will extend
NZDF's other commitments, including ISAF HQ liaisons,
logistics assistance, and training for Afghan army and
police. It is not/not likely the GNZ can commit any new
assets this year, particularly Special Forces, given NZDF's
commitments in the Solomon Islands and E. Timor. Seed said
it appears especially likely that NZDF will need to remain in
Timor at least through 2008, given the situation on the
ground there. Australia has also asked NZDF to take on more
of the Coalition Task Force burden in Timor, to enable the
Australians to cover their contributions elsewhere.


4. (C) This is the longest extension of an NZDF deployment
to Afghanistan since the war began. (The last extension was
for eighteen months.) Seed says this is because the GNZ
wants to demonstrate its clear commitment to Afghanistan. In
addition, the next New Zealand general election will likely
be held in late 2008, and the extra time will enable the new
Government to avoid having to make a hasty decision about
whether or not to extend the deployment again.



5. (C) Emboffs will also discuss reftel request with working
level contacts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
and Ministry of Defence.
McCormick