(C/NF) UK CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, PM FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001709

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/WE, PM, EUR/RPM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MCAP AF IZ UK
SUBJECT: (C/NF) UK CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, PM FOREIGN
POLICY ADVISOR STRESS UK CANNOT FIGHT TWO WARS AT ONCE

Classified By: Ambassador Robert H. Tuttle for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) UK Chief of Defense Staff Sir Jock Stirrup's June
24 public assertion that the concurrent deployments in Iraq
and Afghanistan are severely taxing the capabilities of the
British military provoked heavy media criticism of HMG's
ability to effectively fight both conflicts. Stirrup told
attendees at an on-the-record luncheon that the UK armed
forces "are not structured or resourced to do two (conflicts)
on this scale on an enduring basis, but we have been doing it
on an enduring basis for years.... Until we get to the stage
where (either Iraq or Afghanistan) comes down to a small
scale, we will be stretched beyond the capabilities we have.
That is not what we are structured for, nor is it what we
plan for. We are very stretched at the moment. Until we get
down to one operation at this scale, we are always going to
be stretched." HMG's official line is that Stirrup's
comments reflect no change in the UK,s commitments to
current operations, and any future drawdown of forces in Iraq
will continue be conditions-based and carried out in
consultation with Coalition partners. While the Armed Forces
may be "stretched," senior military officers publicly
describe the situation as "manageable," and express
confidence that HMG is capable of meeting current levels of
commitment.


2. (C/NF) Stirrup backed up this assertion with specific
examples June 25, telling visiting S/I David Satterfield that
he needs ground combat forces (differentiating from other
support forces) and helicopters currently stationed in
southern Iraq to be moved to Afghanistan as soon as possible.
The helos in particular are necessary to provide essential
force protection for UK military personnel in Afghanistan,
Stirrup said. (Note: The UK has lost eleven service
personnel in Afghanistan in the last two weeks. End note.)
PM Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor Simon McDonald told
Satterfield and Ambassador June 25 that in his planned July
16 statement to Parliament, PM Gordon Brown intends to link
success in Iraq with a drawdown of UK troops there and a
subsequent increase in British troop levels in Afghanistan.
(Note: see septel for further reporting on S/I Satterfield's
meetings. End note.)


3. (C/NF) Comment: MOD has been saying for some time that
the current op tempo is unsustainable "over the long term,"
without expressing urgency about the situation or clearly
defining how far away the breaking point is. In that
context, Sir Jock,s remarks are not a sea change in MOD,s
previous position. Nonetheless, Stirrup and McDonald were
clear to us that HMG is moving ahead to plus-up Afghanistan
as it draws down in Iraq. End comment.


4. (U) S/I Satterfield has cleared this message.

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