READOUT: AUGUST 20 NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000299

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: READOUT: AUGUST 20 NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETING

Classified By: CDA: Walter S. Reid for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C/NF) Summary: At the North Atlantic Council (NAC)
meeting on Wednesday, August 20, Allies extensively discussed
the new NATO-Georgia Commission (NGC) and the appropriate
course to take regarding relations with Russia. Deputy
Secretary General (DSYG) Bisogniero observed that the NATO
ministerial statement had been particularly appropriate given
the Russian failure to withdraw from Georgia. Allies
demonstrated a sense of urgency on the NGC, but also want to
"do things (read the NGC charter) well." DSYG suggested
that Special Envoy Simmons gather the views of the Georgians
on the NGC during his upcoming trip to Georgia and report
them to the August 27 NAC. At that stage PermReps would be
in a position to decide on the potential drafting of a
charter, and the timing of the first meeting.


2. (C/NF) Summary of Other Topics: Afghanistan: The
Operations brief updated the Council on the recent attack
near Kabul, the situation in Pakistan, and the continuing
operations to secure areas and retain freedom of movement
throughout Afghanistan. Highway security was presented as
the highest ISAF priority. Several PermReps requested
analysis and further discussions on the potential change in
OMF strategy shown in recent large-scale attacks. Kosovo:
The Deputy Secretary (DSYG) welcomed the UNMIK-EULEX asset
transfer agreement signed on 18 August, but warned that KFOR
needs to be vigilant in event of a policing gap. MGEN Li
Gobbi called for Allies to provide more manpower and funds
for KFOR to fulfill its new tasks. Africa: The African
Union's request for continued airlift support to AMISOM
passed silence, authorizing a six-month extension of support
until February 2009. There was no discussion of Iraq. End
Summary.

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Georgia and Relations with Russia
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3. (C) DSYG Bisogniero shared that the SYG had tasked SRSYG
Bob Simmons to supervise the implementation of NATO,s
seven-point response to the Georgian request for assistance.
In that capacity Simmons planned to convene an August 20
meeting with all relevant NATO divisions to begin
implementation of the package. Immediately after that
meeting Simmons planned to fly to Tbilisi for consultations
with the Georgian government, where he would raise the issue
of the new NGC. Both the United States and Germany praised
the speed of IS work on the assistance package and for the
planned quick departure of Bob Simmons and the assessment
team.


4. (C) Ambassador Volker proposed that the new NGC should
meet during the next week, to begin to define and implement
its new role. The Ambassador hoped there could be at least
two meetings before the September 15-16 NAC trip to Georgia,
and that the NGC should meet in Tbilisi during that visit.
He suggested as food for thought that the NGC should have a
charter, including provision for regular meetings and
oversight of assistance to Georgia. Norway, Bulgaria, Italy,
Romania, the Czech Republic and the UK supported the idea of
signing a NGC charter in Tbilisi during the NAC visit.


5. (C) The Netherlands liked the idea of a meeting in
Tbilisi. However, the Dutch PermRep also thought that a
charter should not be drafted because, in his opinion, it
went beyond the ministerial tasking to the PermReps. Spain
expressed skepticism about the advisability of hearing
Georgia,s ideas for the NGC, claiming that NATO would be
asking Tbilisi to interpret the ministerial tasking. German
PermRep Brandenburg believed that the NGC itself remains just
an offer to the Georgian side, and suggested the drafting of
a charter could take as long as the three months it had taken
to agree the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) Charter. Canada

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countered this, suggesting that building on relevant NUC
language could cut the negotiation time significantly.


6. (C/NF) Ambassador Volker drew nods from around the room
when suggesting that the NAC refocus its visit in light of
recent events, and should adopt a higher profile in the area
of humanitarian assistance. Norway and Bulgaria explicitly
supported a humanitarian emphasis during the visit. Bulgaria
expressed support for fulfilling Georgia,s unanswered
requests and any future requests in the pipeline. (NOTE:
Georgia has since requested NATO demining assistance. END
NOTE)


7. (C) The Chairman of the Military Committee CMC briefed
that there had been no sign of a Russian withdrawal.
Instead, he said, the Russians had expanded their operational
zones in some areas. Russian forces had re-entered the port
of Poti, scuttled a Georgian ship, taken prisoner the
Georgian forces that had opposed them, and seized five U.S.
Humvees that were in the port for shipment following an
exercise. The CMC also indicated that Russian armor had
blockaded the Sachere mountain training base, which currently
holds about 400 Georgian personnel comprised of units that
had retreated from Abhazia and Senaki, as well as the
training staff. The CMC assessed that the Georgian military
remains essentially combat ineffective, and noted that he had
heard Russian claims that they will begin withdrawal over the
next three days.


8. (C) France reported that the PSC met on August 19 and had
decided to reinforce the EU representation in Georgia.
Belgian PermRep van Daele briefed that a new French draft
UNSCR circulated to all UNSC and EU members will not be used
for a few days, to see if the Russians begin to withdraw.

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NATO Relations with Russia
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9. (C/NF) Allies agreed to task the Political Committee (PC)
to begin deliberations on the status of the NATO Russia
Council (NRC) bodies and upcoming NRC events in light of the
Ministerial decision. Allies divided sharply on the question
of an NRC Ambassadorial; France, Spain, Germany, Greece, and
Norway advocated keeping the dialogue with Russia open.
Spain said we should keep open the political dialogue with
Russia because we now have a common position towards Russia
and Norway did not want to isolate Russia. The United
States and Netherlands contended that Ministers already had
tacitly agreed to not holding an NRC until Russia implements
the six-point plan, since no Minister contradicted the SYG on
this proposal and the SYG already publicly announced this
position. Italy wanted to keep the dialogue open, but only
after the Russians withdraw. Canada, in an apparent attempt
to deflect calls for a meeting of the NRC, asked for the OSCE
to brief the NAC to provide its assessment of the degree of
Russian compliance with the 6-point plan. The Canadian also
called for NATO to examine its cooperation with Russia in a
comprehensive manner so that ratcheting back on cooperation
does not take place just on a piecemeal basis.

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Ukraine
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10. (C) DSYG Bisogniero indicated Ukraine,s preference for
Deputy Foreign Minister Konstyantyn Yeliseyev to visit
Brussels for a special session of the NATO Ukraine Commission
on August 27 at 15:00. Bisogniero noted Allies had wanted to
meet earlier in the week and said he would confirm the time
to PermReps as soon as possible. The DSYG, noting that the
NAC had still not decided on the possibility of a NUC or NRC
meeting at the October Defense Ministerial in Budapest,
suggested the NAC defer a decision until early September.

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This would allow time for Allies to hear Ukraine,s opinion
at an August 27 special session of the NUC, as well as to
assess Russia,s behavior in the coming days. He indicated
that the Budapest organizers could easily accommodate an
expanded schedule should these meetings be added. Romanian
PermRep Ducaru suggested that a Defense ministers, meeting
of the new NATO-Georgia Council should be considered. The
United States supported him in this idea.

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Afghanistan Issues
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11. (C/NF) ISAF SECURITY SITUATION: Admiral Di Paloa,
Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC),updated the Council
on the recent attack in Surobi that left 10 French soldiers
dead and 21 wounded. The battle lasted for hours and
included close air support from fighters and attack
helicopters. He noted that this was in a district that was
previously quiet but recently had seen a decrease in support
for ISAF and the Afghan government. He also noted an
increase in OMF support from Pakistan and promised to monitor
any changes in OMF tactics.


12. (C/NF) PAKISTAN: MG Li Gobbi, Assistant Director of Ops
Division, informed the Council that the resignation of
President Musharraf may weaken the fight against extremists
and invigorate the OMF. He noted that the Pakistan military
was preparing for actions in the Federally Administered
Tribal Areas and the Taliban had declared &open war8
against the Pakistani military in the tribal areas. The
Deputy Secretary General (DSYG) noted challenges the
Pakistani government faces will be significant, and also
highlighted the Tripartite Commission meeting with Pakistan
General Kayani this week.


13. (C/NF) ISAF OPERATIONS: MG Li Gobbi informed the Allies
that COMISAF had elevated the force protection condition to
the highest level due to the recent attacks in Khowst and
Surobi. Highway security is the number highest priority. In
Regional Command North, there has been a recent increase in
rocket attacks and the main effort is concentrated in the
Pol-e-Komri and Kunduz areas, where 80% of attacks have
occurred. In Regional Command West, attacks on Highway 1
were the most significant and the main effort is on
transferring a new forward operating base to the Afghan
National Army (ANA). In Regional Command South, northern
Helmand and Kandahar provinces remain very active, with most
coalition operations occurring in Garmsir and Maywand
Districts. In Regional Command East, operations remain
focused on ensuring freedom of movement along Highway 1, as
well as on the Khowst-Gardez road. In Regional Command
Capital, increased security presence during the Independence
Day activities prevented major attacks in Kabul City.


14. (C/NF) DISCUSSION: Many PermReps requested further
analysis of OMF strategy in light of the increase in size and
organization of recent attacks. Several proposed a half-day
or more of meetings to review OMF strategy and NATO,s
responses. Others noted the Surobi attack may impact the
proposed transfer of security for the capital area. AMB
Volker noted that it is important to determine if this is a
single action or a shift in strategy. He also noted this
emphasizes the importance of ANA expansion. The CMC stated
that the International Staff is preparing an update on the
profile, strategy and capabilities of the OMF to be briefed
in September, along with the implications of ANA expansion.
The DSYG agreed with the need for further discussion and also
noted that he is concerned with the potential decrease in
Afghan public support for ISAF and the Afghan government.

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Kosovo
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15. (C) Kosovo Update: DSYG informed Allies that UNMIK on 18
August 2008 signed an agreement to transfer assets to EULEX.
DSYG warned that the one month delay in reaching this
agreement could affect the timely deployment of EULEX and
that KFOR would need to monitor the situation. Major General
Li Gobbi, Assistant Director of the International Military
Staff,s Operations Division, reported that the security
situation remained relatively calm and that there had not yet
been any negative Serbian reaction to UNMIK steps toward
re-establishing customs at Gates 1 and 31. KFOR has forces
at each gate ready to respond.


16. (C) MG Li Gobbi warned that a shortfall in pledged
manpower and funds for the new tasks of demobilizing the
Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) and standing up the Kosovo
Security Force (KSF) was impeding KFOR,s ability to meet
mission timelines. In response, Canada announced that it
would be returning to KFOR after several years absence,
contributing five personnel.

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Other Topics
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17. (C) Support to the African Union: The D/SYG announced
that DSG(2008)0628(INV),the AU's request for continued
airlift support to AMISOM, passed silence on August 11. This
measure authorizes a six-month extension of NATO's airlift
support to AMISOM until February 21, 2009. The D/SYG made no
further substantive comments; Allies also raised no comments.


18. (C) Response to Terrorism: Spanish PermRep Benavides
mentioned that in light of Tuesday's difficult day in
Pakistan and Afghanistan, Allies should also note the
occurrence of a second terrorist attack in Algeria which
killed 17 people. He asked if the Terrorist Threat
Intelligence Unit (TTIU) could provide an initial report on
what happened in Algeria, given its importance to NATO as a
Med-D partner. The D/SYG promised to follow up on Spain's
inquiry; no other comments were offered.






REID