MONTENEGRO FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD NATO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PODGORICA 000289

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/RPM AND EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS MW
SUBJECT: MONTENEGRO FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL STEPS TOWARD NATO

REF: (A) STATE 83856 (B) PODGORICA 283 and previous

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a December 1 meeting with the Ambassador
and DCM, the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs stressed
their commitment to reinforcing Montenegro's ties with NATO in
the coming months. The Ambassador welcomed this commitment,
while cautioning that support by the U.S. or its NATO allies for
inviting Montenegro into MAP next April has not yet been
decided. Both ministers were realistic about the challenges
ahead, but pledged to build even more rapidly on the substantial
progress that Montenegro has already made in meeting the USG's
NATO-related priorities (Ref A). The GOM is also focused on
ensuring a successful PARP assessment in late January.
Regarding MAP, they appealed for Montenegro to be judged on its
own merits. On 27 November, the Montenegrin Parliament
approved the GoM's National Security Strategy, which explicitly
sets NATO membership as a top priority. END SUMMARY




2. (SBU) The Ministers updated us on Montenegro's progress in
the USG priority areas (noted below) and resolved to accelerate
work in the key areas during the coming weeks.



-- Excess Weapons Destruction (ON TARGET): MoD is finalizing
arrangements for use of government land to continue its
destruction of excess ordnance. Earlier this year, the GOM
destroyed almost 90 percent of its MANPADS and tons of other
equipment. It hopes to achieve Government concurrence, perhaps
this week, with the establishment of a new site to destroy
hundreds of sea mines and other ordinance.



-- PfP Exercises (ON TARGET): Montenegro plans to participate
in three exercises in 2009 and is discussing with its Adriatic
Charter partners a proposed regional exercise. (Note: We have
records for the following: Cooperative Archer / Longbow / Lancer
May-June 09; Combined Endeavor - Sept 09; MEDCEUR Sept 09.)



-- Peacekeeping Deployment (ON TARGET): Two medical teams are
now training in Macedonia for deployment to Afghanistan starting
in early 2009. The MoD also hopes to announce in early 2009 the
deployment of an infantry platoon to ISAF. (The USG has offered
to provide training and equipment in the meantime.)



-- NATO-compatible procurements (ON TARGET): The MoD is on
track for acquisitions totaling 8.5 million euros with 2008
funds. We also learned of plans for another 5.9 million euros
worth of purchases next year. These figures represent
significant proportions of Montenegro's modest defense budget.




-- Defense Budget (ON TARGET): According to a preliminary
estimate from the Ministries of Defense and Finance, proposed
defense expenditures in 2009 will amount to 2.11 percent of
projected GDP. The Ministry noted that GDP could fall below
MOF's projected growth in 2009 as a result of the global
financial crisis, in which case the defense budget would account
for a higher percentage.



-- IPP (ON TARGET): The MoD reported completing 32 of the 46
IPP actions planned for 2008. It plans 49 for 2009.



-- IPAP Activities (ON TARGET): The MoD has completed all of
its Partnership Goals for 2008, and is now addressing the 2009
goals, including more specific planning for participation of
naval and air force assets in NATO activities.



-- Information Security Agreement (AHEAD OF TARGET): Vucinic
confirmed that Montenegro received NATO certification last month
for its information security procedures and facilities.



-- Rule of Law (TARGET SET): FM Rocen asserted that the GOM

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would establish its first interagency investigative task force
to fight corruption and organized crime within the next few
months. The Embassy's RLA will support this project. The GOM
will also work on codifying an effective criminal procedure code
and conflict of interest laws.



-- Public Support (ON TARGET): The GoM leadership plans to step
up the NATO "communications strategy" that has already been
underway for several months. The GOM will increasingly rely on
a broad group of senior officials to make the case for NATO
(recent examples include a helpful interview with the Finance
Minister and event for university students last week with the
Interior Minister and UK Ambassador).




3. (SBU) COMMENT: The ministers indicated that Montenegro will
pull out all the stops to bring the country closer to NATO in
the coming months. They left little doubt that an invitation
into MAP is a top priority. The ministers' attention to
practical steps toward closer links with the Alliance showed
greater a understanding of NATO interests and an appreciation
that they will be judged more by their actions than their words.
End Comment.
MOORE