ROLE OF PROPOSED NATO OFFICE IN MONTENEGRO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 PODGORICA 000262

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/RPM; DEFENSE FOR OSD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MW
SUBJECT: ROLE OF PROPOSED NATO OFFICE IN MONTENEGRO

REF: (A) PODGORICA 231 (B) PODGORICA 251 (C) PODGORICA 254

PODGORICA 00000262 001.2 OF 003



1. (SBU) Summary: Establishment of a NATO office in Podgorica
will facilitate intensified, practical cooperation between
Montenegro and the Alliance. NATO can reap tangible benefits
quickly, for example, expediting the deployment of Montenegrin
military units to ISAF and sharing information on regional
security. Secondary benefits would include assisting the GoM in
prioritizing and implementing its partnership obligations and
helping build public support for NATO membership. The Ministry
of Defense is eager to host a NATO team and has offered to
contribute a fully furnished office, in-country transportation,
and staff for translation and administrative support. The
Montenegrin Parliament's adoption of a law authorizing
participation in international peacekeeping operations has
opened the way for the GoM to make a significant contribution to
NATO. End summary.



-------------- --------------

INTENSIFIED, PRACTICAL COOPERATION

-------------- --------------




2. (SBU) A NATO office in Podgorica, depending on its
configuration, could carry out a range of tasks that would
advance NATO and U.S. interests. In addition to points in Ref
A, the GoM has shared with us its vision for the functions that
could be carried out by a NATO office based in Podgorica.
Montenegro is now the only non-invited country in the region
lacking a NATO presence on the ground. This limits cooperation
and communications between the GoM and the Alliance. However,
an in-country NATO office could guide concrete Alliance-related
activities, to include:



a) Overseeing the ground-based lines of communication (GLOC)
established under the Transit agreement.



b) Helping with preparation and certification of Montenegrin
forces deploying to NATO peacekeeping operations, including
ISAF,



The GoM has already committed to deploying a three-person
medical team to ISAF in February 2009 as part of a Macedonian
hospital unit and plans to rotate its personnel every six
months. Likewise, in cooperation with DoD, the GoM is preparing
a platoon-sized infantry contingent for possible deployment to
Afghanistan within a year. Because these are Montenegro's first
NATO deployments, the NATO certification process and
administrative arrangements for executing these missions could
prove challenging. Both would be facilitated significantly if
NATO personnel were in Podgorica.



c) Facilitating the exchange of classified information between
NATO and Montenegro,



Once the GoM implements its NATO Security Agreement (expected
next month),it will be in a position to exchange operational
and other data with NATO. In view of Montenegro's commitment to
participate in NATO operations, the exchange of relevant data
both before and during deployments will take on increased
significance. While Montenegrin intelligence capabilities are
still modest and focused primarily on the region, the GoM
possesses unique capabilities that have proven valuable in the
past. NATO in-country personnel, fully engaged with their
Montenegrin counterparts, could help ensure a high quality and
complementary exchange of information.



-------------- --------------
--------------

ADDED BENEFITS OF BUILDING MONTENEGRO'S PARTNERSHIP


PODGORICA 00000262 002.2 OF 003


AND PUBLIC SUPPORT

-------------- --------------
--------------




4. (SBU) Montenegro's political will to join NATO is no longer
in question. Not only has the GOM leadership publicly and
repeatedly stated its commitment, but it has taken an important
step forward with a parliamentary majority now backing this
policy (Ref B). As one of the newest and smallest states in
Europe, however, Montenegro's democratic institutions face a
major challenge in navigating the complex process of NATO
accession. A NATO office in Podgorica could help the
Montenegrin leadership prioritize and implement its partnership
activities in order to accelerate and strengthen the country's
relationship with the Alliance, for example:



d) Assisting Montenegro in identifying, participating in, and
hosting PFP exercises.



e) Helping the GoM through the annual PARP process.



f) Providing regular feedback to the GoM on its progress and
areas for improvement.




5. (SBU) Apart from the issues faced by other transitional
democracies in readying themselves for NATO, the GoM faces the
challenge of advocating Montenegro's membership in NATO against
the backdrop of the 1999 NATO intervention here. A NATO office
could play an important role in building public support for NATO
by:



g) Advising the GoM on implementation of its NATO
Communications Strategy, drawing on the experiences of other
countries that have seen increases in public support for NATO.



h) Facilitating visits to NATO headquarters, other facilities,
and/or NATO operations or exercises by military and non-military
opinion makers.



i) Conducting direct public outreach to local audiences.



-------------- --------------

MONTENEGRO'S OFFER TO CONTRIBUTE

-------------- --------------




6. (SBU) The GOM is enthusiastic about the concept of a NATO
presence in Podgorica. It has already sent two formal requests
to NATO headquarters and is taking every opportunity to promote
the idea during interactions with NATO officials. Senior MoD
officials have told us that the GoM is prepared to offer
furnished office space in the Ministry (including computers and
other office equipment); staff for translation and
administrative support; and vehicles for in-country
transportation.




7. Comment: In the last two weeks, the GoM has demonstrated
clearly its commitment to joining NATO and the EU. On October
3, the Parliament passed a resolution endorsing Montenegro's
pro-NATO policy. The Parliament then voted to authorize
Montenegrin participation in international peacekeeping
operations (Ref C). Finally, on October 9, the GoM announced
its decision to recognize Kosovo. The establishment of even a
modest NATO presence in Podgorica will send an important signal

PODGORICA 00000262 003.2 OF 003


encouraging the GOM to continue on its Euro-Atlantic path,
despite resistance from the pro-Belgrade opposition. End
comment.
MOORE