Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USNATO252
2008-07-17 14:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Mission USNATO
Cable title:
NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - JULY 16, 2008
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 USNATO 000252
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - JULY 16, 2008
REF: SECSTATE 73794
Classified By: CDA Richard G. Olson, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 USNATO 000252
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - JULY 16, 2008
REF: SECSTATE 73794
Classified By: CDA Richard G. Olson, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) Summary from the NAC Meeting:
-- Afghanistan: Much of the Council's discussion focused on
the situation in Afghanistan in relation to its neighbors.
D/CMC Eikenberry stated that the Indian Embassy bombing will
not affect the transfer of security responsibility for Kabul
city to the ANSF in August, and reported on the July 13
attack on the Combat Outpost (COP) Wanat in Kunar province.
Admiral Moreno provided the operational brief, reporting that
Pakistani security forces had suspended operations in FATA
and NWFP and will withdraw from Swat in August, and that
Opposing Militant Forces (OMF) continue to harass Pakistani
forces and are pushing out civilian government officials.
Acting SCR Jochems briefed by VTC from Kabul, stating that
Afghans perceive the insurgency is limiting their freedom of
movement. He proposed NATO support the request to increase
the size of the ANA, focus more of building good governance,
and continue its civilian engagement with Pakistan. U.S.
Charge Olson expressed concerns about NATO's public messaging
about the attack, which had played into the OMF's hands. UK
PermRep Eldon suggested the NAC hold an informal discussion
on the meaning of counterinsurgency and the Alliance's role
in it, and the SYG agreed. The Canadian PermRep asked for an
assessment of the ISI's role in Afghanistan and suggested
NATO work to maintain the momentum in its relationship with
Pakistan.
-- Balkans: The SYG highlighted the success of the recent
Kosovo Donor's Conference in Brussels, and stressed the need
for better and closer coordination among all international
actors operating in Kosovo. The D/CMC briefed the Council on
the status of KFOR's new tasks and informed the Council about
a concept for the resettlement plan for the KPC. There
continues to be a shortfall in the Military Civil Advisory
Division and NATO Training Teams (MCAD-NTT),and the D/CMC
pressed nations to provide voluntary national contributions
for key staffing positions. SHAPE updated the Council on
current operations and announced that on July 8 and 9 a
Security Sector Reform (SSR) team from JFC Naples met with
the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense
and General Staff Officials.
-- Africa - Support to the AU: The SYG reiterated the CMC's
July 2 request for airlift of the Burundi battalion for
AMISOM, noting this request remains unfulfilled. The Czech
PermRep announced 15,000 euros for the lift as a symbolic
gesture.
-- Iraq: Charge Olson urged Allies to contribute trainers to
the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) to allow the mission
to fulfill the new training requested by PM Maliki and
approved by the NAC, in particular for border security
training and police forensics training. The SYG said the NAC
would hold a discussion in early fall about NATO,s long-term
relationship with Iraq.
-- Response to Terrorism: The Turkish Charge updated the NAC
on the ongoing investigation of the terrorist attack on the
U.S. consulate in Istanbul.
USNATO 00000252 002 OF 006
-- Statements on Political Subjects: The French PermRep
briefed Allies on the July 13 Paris summit establishing the
Mediterranean Union.
-- AOB: Charge Olson provided an assessment of the Iranian
missile exercises held on July 9 and 10, and said that they
indicated Iran was determined to develop a ballistic missile
capability that threatened international security. The
Croatian Charge informed Allies that the Croatian Parliament
had decided to send two transport helicopters to Kosovo in
support of KFOR.
-- Priorities of the French EU Presidency: A readout of the
briefing by French State Secretary Jouyet on France's
priorities for its EU Presidency will appear septel.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
Afghanistan
--------------
2. (C/NF) The SYG noted the strong July 15 statement from the
Afghan government blaming Pakistan for security problems
along the border area. He assessed that NATO may share some
of the same concerns, but a "public blame game" is
counterproductive, and Afghanistan's suspending some
bilateral meetings was not helpful, although the Tri-Partite
Commission (TPC) was not affected. He noted that SHAPE will
brief the NAC on July 22 regarding ISAF's planning for its
role in voter registration and elections security.
3. (C/NF) Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee (D/CMC)
Eikenberry added that the TPC meets at the 4-star level three
times per year and last met in December 2007. COMISAF
McKiernan plans to increase the frequency of the meetings,
and Pakistani officials recently told DASG Pardew that the
meetings are a high priority for their CHOD. The next
meeting is scheduled for August 12 ) 14 in Kabul. Six
Border Coordination Centers (BCCs) are to be built and
staffed jointly by ANSF, ISAF, and Pakistani security forces.
The first, in Khyber, comes online soon and construction on
the BCC in Lwara began July 1. D/CMC Eikenberry also noted
that the Indian Embassy bombing will not affect the transfer
of security responsibility to the ANSF for Kabul city in
August, and that this is a phased transfer and ISAF will
retain responsibility for securing its own forces and
convoys. He added that suicide attacks will remain a threat
regardless of who exercises command.
4. (C/NF) D/CMC Eikenberry reported on the July 13 attack on
the Combat Outpost (COP) Wanat in Kunar province that killed
nine U.S. soldiers, injured 16 U.S. and 4 Afghan troops. 120
OMF under Mullah Osmar infiltrated the nearby village the
night before, maintained radio silence and initiated the
attack, which lasted for four hours. The attack was
repelled. This event could signal the beginning more
pre-coordinated, direct attacks on outposts, possibly the
result of new capabilities available to the Opposing Militant
Forces (OMF) as a result of the increased freedom of movement
they now enjoy in Pakistan. Charge Olson noted that our
information on the attack was similar, emphasizing that the
attack was repelled and ISAF held its ground. He expressed
concerns about NATO's public messaging about the attack,
USNATO 00000252 003 OF 006
noting that an ISAF spokesperson had called it a huge and
unprecedented attack, when our message should have been that
"we established a post in a critical infiltration area, the
enemy challenged us, and we held our ground despite the
tragic loss of nine soldiers." The SYG agreed and said he
would take up the issue with ISAF in Kabul, but added that it
is a complicated media environment with statements coming out
from the U.S., ISAF, and the GoA. The SYG said the fact that
ISAF has announced it is disestablishing COP Wanat makes it
harder to put a positive spin on the attack, especially if
such attacks are in fact on the increase. D/CMC Eikenberry
noted that several larger OMF attacks were repelled in 2006
and 2007 and cautioned against drawing over broad conclusions
from one incident. But he concluded that there has been an
increase in "complex attacks" in RC-East since last year, due
to the safe havens on the Pakistani side, the evolving
tactics of the OMF, the influx of new OMF fighters, and
increased coordination among different OMF groups.
5. (C/NF) Admiral Moreno provided the operational brief,
reporting that Pakistani security forces had suspended
operations in FATA and NWFP and will withdraw from Swat in
August. OMF continue to harass Pakistani forces and are
pushing out civilian government officials. An increase in
food prices and an increase in suicide attacks could
undermine Pakistani government attempts to enhance stability.
He reported that DefMin Wardak formally requested at the
July JCMB meeting to increase the ANA size from 86,000 to
122,000 troops, but no final decision is expected until the
next JCMB in September. Investigations are ongoing into five
cases of civilian casualties.
6. (C/NF) Moreno said that in RC-Capital, OMF activities are
within seasonal norms, but they have the capacity to carry
out "spectacular" attacks in Kabul. The Taliban denied
carrying out the Indian Embassy bombing, probably to avoid
blame for the large number of civilian casualties. The
Kunduz-Bhaglan corridor continues to be the hotspot in
RC-North. In RC-West, Farah province is most active as a
transit area for OMF, with a particular danger of IEDs and
asymmetrical attacks on the ring road. An increase in OMF
activity is expected in Badghis province. In RC-South, the
threat remains high, with IEDs and an increase in
kidnappings, particularly along the ring road and other key
roads. The OMF are trying to restrict ISAF movement but are
avoiding direct contact. There is an increasing OMF focus on
northern Helmand. The U.S. 24th MEU has extended its mission
in Helmand through early November. The OMF are active in
RC-East, particularly in border provinces and are focusing on
outposts. He said the arrival of Polish and French units
will help.
7. (C/NF) NATO Acting Senior Civilian Representative (SCR)
Jochems briefed by VTC from Kabul, stating that there is a
perception among Afghans that their freedom of movement is
increasingly restricted by the insurgency. The safety of
highway travel is an increasing concern as insurgents focus
on kidnappings and many Afghans believe they may target the
Kabul-Jalalabad road. OMF targeting of district leaders,
ANP, schools, and high-profile targets such as the Indian
Embassy also contribute to this perception.
8. (C/NF) To counter this perception among the Afghans,
Jochems made three proposals. First he recommended that NATO
USNATO 00000252 004 OF 006
support the Afghans request to increase the size of the ANA,
since it is essential to increasingly put an "Afghan face" on
security. Second, he said there should be more focus on good
governance, since there is a direct relationship between the
ability to hold terrain and good governance. While NATO is
not in the lead in this area, it could do more by making
better use of reporting from POLADs and PRTs. He suggested a
UN or NATO-led civ-mil conference on how to enhance
governance. Third, he said more civilian NATO engagement
with the new government in Pakistan would be helpful. He
commented that the Afghan government's suspension of three
meetings with Pakistan was not as damaging as it looks since
the meetings were of limited importance and did not include
the TPC. Jochems also commented that Karzai is often
outspoken against Pakistan, but is much less vocal against
homegrown Pashtun insurgents. While this may be due to
election politics it is not helpful.
9. (C/NF) Charge Olson noted that the GoA announcement
criticizing Pakistan was more measured than it first appears.
The Afghans are feeling great pressure due to the border
insecurity, but only canceled three lesser meetings and not
the TPC. He stated that the U.S. has been working
intensively bilaterally with the Pakistanis (including a
recent Admiral Mullen visit and POTUS's statement yesterday
referring to the Taliban as the "common enemy.") He added
that the U.S. hopes to have Karzai and Gilani meet on the
margins of the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Sri Lanka.
10. (C/NF) UK PermRep Eldon agreed with the U.S. analysis of
the Afghan suspension of some meetings with the Pakistanis,
noting that Karzai told British General David Richards
yesterday this was only a suspension of three meetings, not
of Afghan-Pakistani relations. Eldon commented that the more
he though about Jochems' comments on governance, the more he
believed it came down to counter-insurgency (COIN) strategy.
He proposed the NAC have a discussion in an informal forum on
what COIN means, what it involves, and where the Alliance
fits into it. The SYG agreed, though he pointed out the term
COIN is controversial with some Allies.
11. (C/NF) The Spanish PermRep reinforced Jochems comments on
the importance of building governance. Canadian PermRep
McRae reiterated a point he has made before, that the
"Pashtun belt" is a single cross-border theater. He said
there had been charges of the ISI's involvement in the Indian
Embassy bombing, the Independence Day parade attacks, and the
Quetta Shura. He asked for an assessment of the ISI's role
and the validity of these charges. He also urged NATO to
continue its engagement with Pakistan and not wait until the
SYG's trip in October as its next step. The SYG responded
that activities are ongoing, including a NATO military team
visiting Islamabad to discuss the set up of a liaison office.
--------------
Balkans
--------------
12. (C/NF) The SYG highlighted the success of the recent
Kosovo Donor's Conference in Brussels, noting its importance
for regional stability and for increasing reconstruction
within Kosovo. He also stressed the need for better and
closer coordination among all international actors operating
USNATO 00000252 005 OF 006
in Kosovo. The D/CMC briefed the Council on the status of
KFOR's new tasks, saying that following a July 8 meeting
between the KPC Coordinator, and representatives from KFOR,
SHAPE, and the UN Development Program (UNDP),the KPC
coordinator developed a concept for the resettlement plan for
the KPC. The plan calls for KPC dissolution by June 15,
2009, and will be continually refined until the end of July.
KFOR and JFC Naples are reviewing requirements for the
standup of the Kosovo Security Force and are looking to
provide more clarity on the requirements by September. The
D/CMC mentioned that there continues to be a shortfall in the
Military Civil Advisory Division and NATO Training Teams
(MCAD-NTT) with only half of the slots filled. The D/CMC
pressed nations to provide voluntary national contributions
for key staffing positions. SHAPE updated the Council on
current operations, saying that KFOR remains focused on
maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of
movement in Kosovo and preventing non-compliant group
activities. He also stated that on July 8 - 9, a Security
Sector Reform (SSR) team from JFC Naples met with the Serbian
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense and General
Staff Officials.
--------------
Africa - Support to the AU
--------------
13. (C/NF) The SYG reiterated his appeal to Allies to provide
airlift for the Burundian battalion that is participating in
the UN-AU mission in Darfur, as requested by the CMC on July
2. As at previous Council sessions, he noted lift could be
provided through commercial means since a number of private
companies are willing and able to fly into Somalia, at an
estimated cost of 650,000 euros for the battalion. The SYG
emphasized the importance of NATO being seen as a reliable
partner to the AU. The Czech PermRep announced a
contribution of 15,000 euros for the lift, noting that this
is primarily a symbolic offering that hopefully would
encourage other Allies to contribute.
--------------
Iraq
--------------
14. (C/NF) Charge Olson reiterated (reftel) points in the
recent demarche to Allied capitals encouraging contributions
to fill the new training missions recently approved by the
NAC for the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). These new
missions were requested by Iraqi PM Maliki and include Navy
and Air Force leadership training, forensic and border
security training, and filling current shortfalls of training
billets. Olson urged Allies to consider ways to re-energize
NATO's collective commitment to helping Iraq by enhancing
NTM-I with more trainers and advisors.
15. (C/NF) The SYG said the NAC should discuss NATO's
long-term relationship with Iraq, and said he would put it on
the agenda for an informal meeting of PermReps after the
summer break.
--------------
Response to Terrorism
--------------
USNATO 00000252 006 OF 006
16. (C/NF) The Turkish Charge updated the NAC on the ongoing
investigation of the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate
in Istanbul. He informed Allies that five police casualties
(three dead and two wounded) resulted from the attack. Also,
with regards to the perpetrators, he told Allies that three
terrorists died and that Turkish police have arrested four
additional suspects
--------------
Statements on Political Subjects
--------------
17. (C/NF) The French PermRep briefed Allies on the July 13
Paris summit establishing Mediterranean Union Summit. At the
conclusion of the summit, heads of state and government from
all EU members and all Mediterranean countries (except Libya,
which was invited but declined to attend) agreed to establish
a secretariat for the union, hold biennial summits, and work
to improve cooperation on climate change, land and sea
transport, energy, and cultural/educational exchanges.
---
AOB
---
18. (C/NF) Charge Olson presented the U.S. assessment of the
Iranian missile exercises held on July 9 and 10 drawing
IC-provided REL/NATO material. He said that up to nine
ballistic missiles and battlefield rockets were fired during
Iran's Noble Prophet III Exercise. Of these nine, one was a
Shahab-3 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and
eight were short range ballistic missiles or rockets.
Although Iran claimed to have fired a 2,000 km Shahab-3
missile, the U.S. assessed that only a 1,300 km variant was
launched. Iranian preparations for the missile exercises
were done quickly, most likely to simulate wartime
conditions. Charge Olson noted that the missile firings
indicated Iran was determined to develop a ballistic missile
capability that posed a threat to international security. He
went on to say that the recent exercises should eliminate
doubts that the Iranians would have long range ballistic
missiles within 10-20 years.
19. (C/NF) The Croatian Charge, Drazen Hrastic, announced
that the Croatian Parliament had decided to send two
transport helicopters and their support crews to Kosovo in
support of KFOR. He added that this decision had received
unanimous parliamentary support.
OLSON
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - JULY 16, 2008
REF: SECSTATE 73794
Classified By: CDA Richard G. Olson, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C/NF) Summary from the NAC Meeting:
-- Afghanistan: Much of the Council's discussion focused on
the situation in Afghanistan in relation to its neighbors.
D/CMC Eikenberry stated that the Indian Embassy bombing will
not affect the transfer of security responsibility for Kabul
city to the ANSF in August, and reported on the July 13
attack on the Combat Outpost (COP) Wanat in Kunar province.
Admiral Moreno provided the operational brief, reporting that
Pakistani security forces had suspended operations in FATA
and NWFP and will withdraw from Swat in August, and that
Opposing Militant Forces (OMF) continue to harass Pakistani
forces and are pushing out civilian government officials.
Acting SCR Jochems briefed by VTC from Kabul, stating that
Afghans perceive the insurgency is limiting their freedom of
movement. He proposed NATO support the request to increase
the size of the ANA, focus more of building good governance,
and continue its civilian engagement with Pakistan. U.S.
Charge Olson expressed concerns about NATO's public messaging
about the attack, which had played into the OMF's hands. UK
PermRep Eldon suggested the NAC hold an informal discussion
on the meaning of counterinsurgency and the Alliance's role
in it, and the SYG agreed. The Canadian PermRep asked for an
assessment of the ISI's role in Afghanistan and suggested
NATO work to maintain the momentum in its relationship with
Pakistan.
-- Balkans: The SYG highlighted the success of the recent
Kosovo Donor's Conference in Brussels, and stressed the need
for better and closer coordination among all international
actors operating in Kosovo. The D/CMC briefed the Council on
the status of KFOR's new tasks and informed the Council about
a concept for the resettlement plan for the KPC. There
continues to be a shortfall in the Military Civil Advisory
Division and NATO Training Teams (MCAD-NTT),and the D/CMC
pressed nations to provide voluntary national contributions
for key staffing positions. SHAPE updated the Council on
current operations and announced that on July 8 and 9 a
Security Sector Reform (SSR) team from JFC Naples met with
the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense
and General Staff Officials.
-- Africa - Support to the AU: The SYG reiterated the CMC's
July 2 request for airlift of the Burundi battalion for
AMISOM, noting this request remains unfulfilled. The Czech
PermRep announced 15,000 euros for the lift as a symbolic
gesture.
-- Iraq: Charge Olson urged Allies to contribute trainers to
the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) to allow the mission
to fulfill the new training requested by PM Maliki and
approved by the NAC, in particular for border security
training and police forensics training. The SYG said the NAC
would hold a discussion in early fall about NATO,s long-term
relationship with Iraq.
-- Response to Terrorism: The Turkish Charge updated the NAC
on the ongoing investigation of the terrorist attack on the
U.S. consulate in Istanbul.
USNATO 00000252 002 OF 006
-- Statements on Political Subjects: The French PermRep
briefed Allies on the July 13 Paris summit establishing the
Mediterranean Union.
-- AOB: Charge Olson provided an assessment of the Iranian
missile exercises held on July 9 and 10, and said that they
indicated Iran was determined to develop a ballistic missile
capability that threatened international security. The
Croatian Charge informed Allies that the Croatian Parliament
had decided to send two transport helicopters to Kosovo in
support of KFOR.
-- Priorities of the French EU Presidency: A readout of the
briefing by French State Secretary Jouyet on France's
priorities for its EU Presidency will appear septel.
END SUMMARY.
--------------
Afghanistan
--------------
2. (C/NF) The SYG noted the strong July 15 statement from the
Afghan government blaming Pakistan for security problems
along the border area. He assessed that NATO may share some
of the same concerns, but a "public blame game" is
counterproductive, and Afghanistan's suspending some
bilateral meetings was not helpful, although the Tri-Partite
Commission (TPC) was not affected. He noted that SHAPE will
brief the NAC on July 22 regarding ISAF's planning for its
role in voter registration and elections security.
3. (C/NF) Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee (D/CMC)
Eikenberry added that the TPC meets at the 4-star level three
times per year and last met in December 2007. COMISAF
McKiernan plans to increase the frequency of the meetings,
and Pakistani officials recently told DASG Pardew that the
meetings are a high priority for their CHOD. The next
meeting is scheduled for August 12 ) 14 in Kabul. Six
Border Coordination Centers (BCCs) are to be built and
staffed jointly by ANSF, ISAF, and Pakistani security forces.
The first, in Khyber, comes online soon and construction on
the BCC in Lwara began July 1. D/CMC Eikenberry also noted
that the Indian Embassy bombing will not affect the transfer
of security responsibility to the ANSF for Kabul city in
August, and that this is a phased transfer and ISAF will
retain responsibility for securing its own forces and
convoys. He added that suicide attacks will remain a threat
regardless of who exercises command.
4. (C/NF) D/CMC Eikenberry reported on the July 13 attack on
the Combat Outpost (COP) Wanat in Kunar province that killed
nine U.S. soldiers, injured 16 U.S. and 4 Afghan troops. 120
OMF under Mullah Osmar infiltrated the nearby village the
night before, maintained radio silence and initiated the
attack, which lasted for four hours. The attack was
repelled. This event could signal the beginning more
pre-coordinated, direct attacks on outposts, possibly the
result of new capabilities available to the Opposing Militant
Forces (OMF) as a result of the increased freedom of movement
they now enjoy in Pakistan. Charge Olson noted that our
information on the attack was similar, emphasizing that the
attack was repelled and ISAF held its ground. He expressed
concerns about NATO's public messaging about the attack,
USNATO 00000252 003 OF 006
noting that an ISAF spokesperson had called it a huge and
unprecedented attack, when our message should have been that
"we established a post in a critical infiltration area, the
enemy challenged us, and we held our ground despite the
tragic loss of nine soldiers." The SYG agreed and said he
would take up the issue with ISAF in Kabul, but added that it
is a complicated media environment with statements coming out
from the U.S., ISAF, and the GoA. The SYG said the fact that
ISAF has announced it is disestablishing COP Wanat makes it
harder to put a positive spin on the attack, especially if
such attacks are in fact on the increase. D/CMC Eikenberry
noted that several larger OMF attacks were repelled in 2006
and 2007 and cautioned against drawing over broad conclusions
from one incident. But he concluded that there has been an
increase in "complex attacks" in RC-East since last year, due
to the safe havens on the Pakistani side, the evolving
tactics of the OMF, the influx of new OMF fighters, and
increased coordination among different OMF groups.
5. (C/NF) Admiral Moreno provided the operational brief,
reporting that Pakistani security forces had suspended
operations in FATA and NWFP and will withdraw from Swat in
August. OMF continue to harass Pakistani forces and are
pushing out civilian government officials. An increase in
food prices and an increase in suicide attacks could
undermine Pakistani government attempts to enhance stability.
He reported that DefMin Wardak formally requested at the
July JCMB meeting to increase the ANA size from 86,000 to
122,000 troops, but no final decision is expected until the
next JCMB in September. Investigations are ongoing into five
cases of civilian casualties.
6. (C/NF) Moreno said that in RC-Capital, OMF activities are
within seasonal norms, but they have the capacity to carry
out "spectacular" attacks in Kabul. The Taliban denied
carrying out the Indian Embassy bombing, probably to avoid
blame for the large number of civilian casualties. The
Kunduz-Bhaglan corridor continues to be the hotspot in
RC-North. In RC-West, Farah province is most active as a
transit area for OMF, with a particular danger of IEDs and
asymmetrical attacks on the ring road. An increase in OMF
activity is expected in Badghis province. In RC-South, the
threat remains high, with IEDs and an increase in
kidnappings, particularly along the ring road and other key
roads. The OMF are trying to restrict ISAF movement but are
avoiding direct contact. There is an increasing OMF focus on
northern Helmand. The U.S. 24th MEU has extended its mission
in Helmand through early November. The OMF are active in
RC-East, particularly in border provinces and are focusing on
outposts. He said the arrival of Polish and French units
will help.
7. (C/NF) NATO Acting Senior Civilian Representative (SCR)
Jochems briefed by VTC from Kabul, stating that there is a
perception among Afghans that their freedom of movement is
increasingly restricted by the insurgency. The safety of
highway travel is an increasing concern as insurgents focus
on kidnappings and many Afghans believe they may target the
Kabul-Jalalabad road. OMF targeting of district leaders,
ANP, schools, and high-profile targets such as the Indian
Embassy also contribute to this perception.
8. (C/NF) To counter this perception among the Afghans,
Jochems made three proposals. First he recommended that NATO
USNATO 00000252 004 OF 006
support the Afghans request to increase the size of the ANA,
since it is essential to increasingly put an "Afghan face" on
security. Second, he said there should be more focus on good
governance, since there is a direct relationship between the
ability to hold terrain and good governance. While NATO is
not in the lead in this area, it could do more by making
better use of reporting from POLADs and PRTs. He suggested a
UN or NATO-led civ-mil conference on how to enhance
governance. Third, he said more civilian NATO engagement
with the new government in Pakistan would be helpful. He
commented that the Afghan government's suspension of three
meetings with Pakistan was not as damaging as it looks since
the meetings were of limited importance and did not include
the TPC. Jochems also commented that Karzai is often
outspoken against Pakistan, but is much less vocal against
homegrown Pashtun insurgents. While this may be due to
election politics it is not helpful.
9. (C/NF) Charge Olson noted that the GoA announcement
criticizing Pakistan was more measured than it first appears.
The Afghans are feeling great pressure due to the border
insecurity, but only canceled three lesser meetings and not
the TPC. He stated that the U.S. has been working
intensively bilaterally with the Pakistanis (including a
recent Admiral Mullen visit and POTUS's statement yesterday
referring to the Taliban as the "common enemy.") He added
that the U.S. hopes to have Karzai and Gilani meet on the
margins of the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Sri Lanka.
10. (C/NF) UK PermRep Eldon agreed with the U.S. analysis of
the Afghan suspension of some meetings with the Pakistanis,
noting that Karzai told British General David Richards
yesterday this was only a suspension of three meetings, not
of Afghan-Pakistani relations. Eldon commented that the more
he though about Jochems' comments on governance, the more he
believed it came down to counter-insurgency (COIN) strategy.
He proposed the NAC have a discussion in an informal forum on
what COIN means, what it involves, and where the Alliance
fits into it. The SYG agreed, though he pointed out the term
COIN is controversial with some Allies.
11. (C/NF) The Spanish PermRep reinforced Jochems comments on
the importance of building governance. Canadian PermRep
McRae reiterated a point he has made before, that the
"Pashtun belt" is a single cross-border theater. He said
there had been charges of the ISI's involvement in the Indian
Embassy bombing, the Independence Day parade attacks, and the
Quetta Shura. He asked for an assessment of the ISI's role
and the validity of these charges. He also urged NATO to
continue its engagement with Pakistan and not wait until the
SYG's trip in October as its next step. The SYG responded
that activities are ongoing, including a NATO military team
visiting Islamabad to discuss the set up of a liaison office.
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Balkans
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12. (C/NF) The SYG highlighted the success of the recent
Kosovo Donor's Conference in Brussels, noting its importance
for regional stability and for increasing reconstruction
within Kosovo. He also stressed the need for better and
closer coordination among all international actors operating
USNATO 00000252 005 OF 006
in Kosovo. The D/CMC briefed the Council on the status of
KFOR's new tasks, saying that following a July 8 meeting
between the KPC Coordinator, and representatives from KFOR,
SHAPE, and the UN Development Program (UNDP),the KPC
coordinator developed a concept for the resettlement plan for
the KPC. The plan calls for KPC dissolution by June 15,
2009, and will be continually refined until the end of July.
KFOR and JFC Naples are reviewing requirements for the
standup of the Kosovo Security Force and are looking to
provide more clarity on the requirements by September. The
D/CMC mentioned that there continues to be a shortfall in the
Military Civil Advisory Division and NATO Training Teams
(MCAD-NTT) with only half of the slots filled. The D/CMC
pressed nations to provide voluntary national contributions
for key staffing positions. SHAPE updated the Council on
current operations, saying that KFOR remains focused on
maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of
movement in Kosovo and preventing non-compliant group
activities. He also stated that on July 8 - 9, a Security
Sector Reform (SSR) team from JFC Naples met with the Serbian
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defense and General
Staff Officials.
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Africa - Support to the AU
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13. (C/NF) The SYG reiterated his appeal to Allies to provide
airlift for the Burundian battalion that is participating in
the UN-AU mission in Darfur, as requested by the CMC on July
2. As at previous Council sessions, he noted lift could be
provided through commercial means since a number of private
companies are willing and able to fly into Somalia, at an
estimated cost of 650,000 euros for the battalion. The SYG
emphasized the importance of NATO being seen as a reliable
partner to the AU. The Czech PermRep announced a
contribution of 15,000 euros for the lift, noting that this
is primarily a symbolic offering that hopefully would
encourage other Allies to contribute.
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Iraq
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14. (C/NF) Charge Olson reiterated (reftel) points in the
recent demarche to Allied capitals encouraging contributions
to fill the new training missions recently approved by the
NAC for the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). These new
missions were requested by Iraqi PM Maliki and include Navy
and Air Force leadership training, forensic and border
security training, and filling current shortfalls of training
billets. Olson urged Allies to consider ways to re-energize
NATO's collective commitment to helping Iraq by enhancing
NTM-I with more trainers and advisors.
15. (C/NF) The SYG said the NAC should discuss NATO's
long-term relationship with Iraq, and said he would put it on
the agenda for an informal meeting of PermReps after the
summer break.
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Response to Terrorism
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16. (C/NF) The Turkish Charge updated the NAC on the ongoing
investigation of the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate
in Istanbul. He informed Allies that five police casualties
(three dead and two wounded) resulted from the attack. Also,
with regards to the perpetrators, he told Allies that three
terrorists died and that Turkish police have arrested four
additional suspects
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Statements on Political Subjects
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17. (C/NF) The French PermRep briefed Allies on the July 13
Paris summit establishing Mediterranean Union Summit. At the
conclusion of the summit, heads of state and government from
all EU members and all Mediterranean countries (except Libya,
which was invited but declined to attend) agreed to establish
a secretariat for the union, hold biennial summits, and work
to improve cooperation on climate change, land and sea
transport, energy, and cultural/educational exchanges.
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AOB
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18. (C/NF) Charge Olson presented the U.S. assessment of the
Iranian missile exercises held on July 9 and 10 drawing
IC-provided REL/NATO material. He said that up to nine
ballistic missiles and battlefield rockets were fired during
Iran's Noble Prophet III Exercise. Of these nine, one was a
Shahab-3 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) and
eight were short range ballistic missiles or rockets.
Although Iran claimed to have fired a 2,000 km Shahab-3
missile, the U.S. assessed that only a 1,300 km variant was
launched. Iranian preparations for the missile exercises
were done quickly, most likely to simulate wartime
conditions. Charge Olson noted that the missile firings
indicated Iran was determined to develop a ballistic missile
capability that posed a threat to international security. He
went on to say that the recent exercises should eliminate
doubts that the Iranians would have long range ballistic
missiles within 10-20 years.
19. (C/NF) The Croatian Charge, Drazen Hrastic, announced
that the Croatian Parliament had decided to send two
transport helicopters and their support crews to Kosovo in
support of KFOR. He added that this decision had received
unanimous parliamentary support.
OLSON