READOUT NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000429

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: AF NATO PREL
SUBJECT: READOUT NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER
12, 2008.

Classified By: Classified by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kate Brynes
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C/NF) Summary from the NAC Meeting:

-- AFGHANISTAN: SHAPE Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
Major General Wright reported an increase in security events,
continued ISAF operations to support voter registration, and
noted indications opposing militant forces (OMF) intend to
continue a high operations tempo during the winter,
particularly in Regional Commands (RC) South and East. MG
Wright also reported on a recent policy change requiring ISAF
forces to have both taken enemy fire and be under imminent
threat before indirect fire or air-to-ground munitions could
be used when civilians are in the area. The Secretary
General (SYG) noted that he was anxious for U.S. briefings on
the upcoming National Intelligence Estimate and the ongoing
Afghanistan strategy review led by Lt. Gen Lute.
Additionally, he added that he will circulate a &roadmap8
for Afghanistan leading up to the NATO Summit in April 09.
Allies strongly supported the SYG,s plan for an Afghanistan
&roadmap8 and several, including the U.S., called for more
strategic-level discussions in the NAC.

-- BALKANS: The SYG emphasized the need for KFOR to remain
vigilant given uncertainties over the EU Rule of Law Mission
in Kosovo (EULEX) deployment. MG Wright said that equipment
shortfalls had hampered the first round of training for the
cadre of trainers who will train Kosovo Security Force
recruits.

-- AFRICA: The SHAPE briefing stressed that inter-clan
rivalry in Somalia was a major factor behind the support some
clans have been giving to piracy/hijacking activities off the
Horn of Africa. Neither the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) in Somalia, nor governments in Somaliland and Yemen,
had the wherewithal to deal with pirate activities. MG
Wright reported that to date Task Group Allied Provider has
undertaken escort duties for four WFP food vessels and one
African Union vessel.

-- IRAQ: no discussion

-- RESPONSE TO TERRORISM: no discussion

-- TRANSFORMATION: The SYG announced his intention to have
regular briefings in the NAC on defense transformational
issues. These briefing will include updates on
implementation of the Comprehensive Political Guidance (CPG),
status of the defense planning review, and the various
initiatives on capability development. The SYG plans to
schedule discussions before the Christmas break on the NATO
Response Force (NRF),the helicopter initiative, and the
review of the defense planning processes. He reiterated that
this in no way should be viewed as reopening the CPG. This
way ahead was supported by Hungary, Germany, the UK, Poland,
Spain and France. The UK added that they would like to see
these discussions lead to decisions and not just status
reports. All other nations who commented stated a desire to
avoid duplicating the work on transformation of the Executive
Working Group (EWG).

-- STATEMENTS ON POLITICAL TOPICS: France briefed on the
recent meetings of EU foreign and defense ministers and Italy
briefed on UN activity including preparation for the upcoming
UN Security Council (UNSC) visit to Afghanistan.

--AOB: The SYG noted the recent finalization of a host
nation agreement with Hungary on the placement of the NATO
Airlift Management Agency (NAMA) in that nation. France and
Spain reiterated calls for a formal distribution to all
Allies of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Strategic
Airlift Capability (SAC) initiative and for more information
on funding details.


USNATO 00000429 002 OF 004


END SUMMARY.

--------------
Afghanistan
--------------


2. (C/NF) Afghanistan: The SYG noted the continued progress
on voter registration, with no reported security incidents,
and relayed that joint prudent planning between ISAF, the
Afghan government and UNAMA has begun. He pointed out that a
separate Force Generation conference for election support
would occur early next year. The SYG expressed his
disappointment over last week,s Global Force Generation
conference, and highlighted that many critical shortfalls
remain. He stressed that it was important for nations to put
their deployed forces against Combined Joint Statement of
Requirements lines, rather than solely for national purposes.
The SYG also noted that he was anxious for U.S. briefings to
the Council on the upcoming National Intelligence Estimate
and the Strategy Review led by Lt Gen Lute. Additionally, he
added that he will circulate a &roadmap8 for Afghanistan
leading up to the Summit in April 09. Finally, he relayed
that the Pakistan government had confirmed the date for his
visit, and that PermReps will discuss the messages he should
take to Islamabad soon.


3. (C/NF) Pakistan: MG Wright informed the Council that
tribal militias, or &lashgars8, now number 16 and are
working with the Pakistani military forces in Bajaur. This
has influenced OMF leaders to move their forces &laterally8
between Afghanistan and Pakistan, rather than concentrate in
one area. He reported that Pakistani security forces may be
moving into the Khyber Pass area following the recent
hijacking of NATO supplies, which he classified as routine
pilfering, and stated the lines of communication remain open.
He also noted that ISAF is in the planning stages to
coordinate with the Pakistani Military on security operations
in the Khyber area.


4. (C/NF) ISAF Security Situation: Major General Wright,
SHAPE Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCOS),updated
the Council on the slight increase in overall activity in
Afghanistan. He also noted the limited disruption of voter
registration, with over one million registered to date, and a
third of them female voters. The DCOS noted that reporting
indicates continued opposing militant forces (OMF) actions
during the winter, particularly in Regional Commands (RC)
South and East. He commented that the Taliban leader Mullah
Dastagir, who was recently released by President Karzai, has
moved back into Badghis Province and is now the &shadow
governor8. MG Wright stated that the Afghan government is
working with the World Food Program (WFP) to develop a
Strategic Grain Reserve, which includes pre-positioning food
in hard to reach areas before the winter, and may require
ISAF support. He noted the WFP does not see food delivery as
a critical issue at this time. Finally, MG Wright noted the
recent change to ISAF policy requiring ISAF forces to have
both taken enemy fire and be under imminent threat before
calling for indirect fire or air-to-ground munitions when
civilians are in the area.


5. (C/NF) ISAF Operations: MG Wright informed the Allies
that in RC-South, the focus is on supporting security along
Highways 1 and 4, as well as joint operations in Arghandab
district with ISAF, Afghan National Army (ANA),and Afghan
National Police (ANP) forces in preparation for voter
registration. In RC-West, work continued on the forward
operating base and the Mabey & Johnson Bridge, with a bridge
opening date expected on 20 November. In RC-Capital, the
main focus of ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces was on
election support activities, and 2 kandaks had returned from
security support in Lashkar Gah. In RC-East, ANA and ISAF
operations focused on voter registration, highway security
along the Ring Road and Khost-Gardez pass. Additionally,
ISAF airlifted a 60-man Quick Reaction Force into Kunar

USNATO 00000429 003 OF 004


Province to prepare for future Afghan-Pakistan major border
interdiction operations.


6. (C/NF) Discussion: Allies strongly supported the SYG,s
plan for an Afghanistan &roadmap8 as well as more strategic
(and instructed) discussion in the NAC. Following U.S.
Charge Byrnes, comments supporting more strategic level,
instructed discussions in the NAC, the SYG agreed the Council
should concentrate on instructed discussions that lead to
decisions. He suggested, by way of example, the ANA Trust
Fund, where a Council discussion should focus on what support
Allies will provide, rather than &an interesting talk8
about the merits of the program. The UK representative and
Spanish Ambassador asked about the establishment of a
permanent joint commission to investigate civilian
casualties. The SYG and Chairman of the Military Committee
responded that UNAMA does not want to be involved in a joint
commission, and the Afghan government has not made a strong
push for a permanent commission over those established on a
case-by-case basis.

--------------
Balkans
--------------


7. (C/NF) Balkans: The SYG emphasized the need for KFOR to
remain vigilant given uncertainties over the EU Rule of Law
Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) deployment. SHAPE Deputy Chief of
Staff for Operations Major General Wright noted that KFOR
would conduct an exercise this week to prepare for the
upcoming transition from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to
EULEX.


8. (C) MG Wright briefed that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF)
selection board on 7 November had chosen a commander for the
KSF but his name would not be made public until approved by
President Sejdiu. KFOR commander Lieutenant General Guy is
meeting regularly with Minister for the KSF Mujota to discuss
the public campaign to attract civilian recruits for the KSF.
MG Wright said that equipment shortfalls had hampered the
first round of training for cadre who will train KSF
recruits. MG Wright,s briefing slides noted the U.S.
pledges of $2 million for the Kosovo Protection Corps
demobilization trust fund and $500,000 for the KSF.

--------------
Africa
--------------


9. (C/NF) Africa: MG Wright reported that inter-clan rivalry
in Somalia was a major factor behind the support some clans
have been giving to piracy/hijacking activities off the Horn
of Africa. Neither the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
in Somalia, nor governments in Somaliland and Yemen, had the
wherewithal to deal with pirate activities. Three major
pirate groups are in operation: The Puntland group, the
Somali Marines/National Coast Guard, and the National
Volunteer Coast Guard, each with a distinct area of
operations off-shore.


10. (C) MG Wright reported that to date Task Group Allied
Provider (TG 432.01) has undertaken escort duties for four
WFP food vessels and one African Union vessel. There has
been constant communication and coordination between the Task
Group, the Dutch national warship De Ruyter and the Russian
frigate Neustrashimyy in the area, as well as with CTF-150
and JFC Naples.


11. (C) The Italian PermRep asked whether any WFP escort
vessels in the Task Group had yet encountered pirates. MG
Wright replied that HMS Cumberland had encountered pirate
activity while on counter-piracy patrol, but had dealt with
the situations under national, as opposed to NATO, ROE.


12. (C/NF) Iraq: no discussion

USNATO 00000429 004 OF 004




13. (C/NF) Response to Terrorism: no discussion

--------------
Transformation
--------------


14. (C/NF) Transformation: The SYG announced his intention to
have regular briefings in the NAC on defense transformational
issues. These briefing will include updates on Comprehensive
Political Guidance (CPG) implementation, status of the
defense planning review, and the various initiatives on
capability development. The SYG plans to schedule
discussions before the Christmas break on the NATO Response
Force (NRF),The helicopter initiative and the review of the
defense planning processes. He reiterated that this in no
way should be viewed as reopening the CPG. This way ahead
was supported by Hungary, Germany, the UK, Poland, Spain and
France. The UK added they would like to see these
discussions lead to decisions and not just status reports.
All other nations who commented stated a desire to avoid
duplicating the work of the EWG.

--------------
Statements on Political Subjects
--------------


15. (C/NF) Statements on Political Subjects: France briefed
on the recent meetings of EU foreign and defense ministers.
Foreign ministers reiterated their support for a diplomatic
approach to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC) and also agreed to support the extension of EU
training efforts in Iraq. Per the European Commission,s
recommendations, ministers also proceeded with preparations
for negotiations with Russia on a new EU-Russia cooperation
agreement. Defense ministers discussed EU military
capabilities and preparations for the upcoming EU
counter-piracy mission. A joint foreign and defense
ministers meeting resolved to continue preparatory work on
the transition of the EU military mission Operation Althea in
Bosnia and Herzegovina and to continue contributions to the
EU police training mission in Afghanistan.


16. (C/NF) Italy briefed on UN activity, noting that
necessary contacts have been made with ISAF in preparation
for the upcoming UN Security Council (UNSC) visit to
Afghanistan. Italy highlighted that the recently adopted UN
General Assembly resolution on Afghanistan reaffirms and
encourages international contribution to the work of ISAF.

--------------
Any Other Business
--------------


17. (C/NF) Any Other Business: The SYG noted the
finalization of the host nation agreement with Hungary on the
placement of the NATO Airlift Management Agency (NAMA) in
that nation. France intervened to repeat an earlier request
that the Memorandum of Understanding for the Strategic
Airlift Capability (SAC) initiative and details on funding
for the NAMA project be formal distributed to all Allies.
Spain supported France,s request but the SYG made clear that
such a request does not depend on the NATO International
Staff (IS) but rather on the agreement of the Allies who are
parties to the SAC MOU. The SYG suggested the request be
sent formally to NAMA and expressed his hope that this issue
would not delay efforts toward improving NATO strategic
airlift capabilities.
BYRNES