ISAF CONTRIBUTION REQUEST DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000181 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE A.JENSEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF RO SUBJECT: ISAF CONTRIBUTION REQUEST DELIVERED REF: STATE 19516 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Mark A. Taplin; Reasons 1.4(b) a nd (d). ¶1. (C) On February 28, PolOffs and DATT met with Daniel Ionita, Director of the NATO Department at the MFA to deliver reftel request for additional ISAF contributions. Ionita reassured EmbOffs that Romania remained committed to the mission in Afghanistan. He expected that both the quantity and quality of Romania's contribution would increase by year end. However, he also expressed concern about ensuring Romanian forces had the appropriate training adding it was possible Romania might double the number of civilians. Ionita promised to discuss the request with the Ministry and provide a more specific list of new additional commitments. ¶2. (C) For the upcoming NATO summit, Ionita stated the GOR would stress the idea of commitment, unity, cooperation and the need for member states to increase their contributions. He said Romania would announce its new commitments at the summit and would call upon other allies to follow suit. Additionally, he suggested considering a new strategy, one that is transparent, yet cautious, to include and engage the Russians on the issue of Afghanistan. Based on his meetings with Russian officials, he felt it was an important consideration for them. He sensed that Moscow was increasingly concerned that the situation in Afghanistan could become a more serious issue for Russia. TAUBMAN