Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BELGRADE1596
2009-12-30 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA: HELICOPTER CONTRIBUTION TO UNAMID
how-toVZCZCXRO7988 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBW #1596 3641202 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 301159Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0528 INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0001 RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001596
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO SR MARR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: HELICOPTER CONTRIBUTION TO UNAMID
REF: STATE 129518
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001596
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO SR MARR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: HELICOPTER CONTRIBUTION TO UNAMID
REF: STATE 129518
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Response to reftel demarche and information request (see
paragraph 4).
2. (SBU) Charge met with MFA Political Director Borko Stefanovic
on December 22 and with Assistant Minister Zoran Vujic to discuss
reftel request for a Serbian contribution to the UN/AU Mission in
Darfur (UNAMID). Charge stressed that this was an opportunity for
Serbia to showcase its regional leadership role and assist with an
important UN Mission. Both Stefanovic and Vujic were uncertain if
Serbia had enough operating helicopters and recommended we speak to
the Minister of Defense.
3. (SBU) Charge and EMBASSY DATT met with Minister of Defense
Dragan Sutanovac December 28. Sutanovac replied that the Serbian
Armed Forces (SAF) did not have enough operational helicopters
available to meet this request. He noted the SAF only had three or
four operational helicopters at this time. While he expressed
interest in assisting he stated he could not send these aircraft
abroad and leave the country without operational helo lift in the
event of an emergency. (Note: The helicopters are an important
component of SAF's disaster management assistance to civil
authorities.)
4. (SBU) Sutanovac further stated the Ministry of Defense had
plans to refurbish some of the Mi-8 helicopters in its inventory to
bring them back to operational standards; however, the Ministry did
not have the resources available to accomplish this task in the
foreseeable future. If funds became available from the UN in the
future, Serbia would be willing to send those on such a mission,
Sutanovac added. Post requests information on possible funding for
such a project.
BRUSH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KPKO SR MARR
SUBJECT: SERBIA: HELICOPTER CONTRIBUTION TO UNAMID
REF: STATE 129518
Summary
--------------
1. (U) Response to reftel demarche and information request (see
paragraph 4).
2. (SBU) Charge met with MFA Political Director Borko Stefanovic
on December 22 and with Assistant Minister Zoran Vujic to discuss
reftel request for a Serbian contribution to the UN/AU Mission in
Darfur (UNAMID). Charge stressed that this was an opportunity for
Serbia to showcase its regional leadership role and assist with an
important UN Mission. Both Stefanovic and Vujic were uncertain if
Serbia had enough operating helicopters and recommended we speak to
the Minister of Defense.
3. (SBU) Charge and EMBASSY DATT met with Minister of Defense
Dragan Sutanovac December 28. Sutanovac replied that the Serbian
Armed Forces (SAF) did not have enough operational helicopters
available to meet this request. He noted the SAF only had three or
four operational helicopters at this time. While he expressed
interest in assisting he stated he could not send these aircraft
abroad and leave the country without operational helo lift in the
event of an emergency. (Note: The helicopters are an important
component of SAF's disaster management assistance to civil
authorities.)
4. (SBU) Sutanovac further stated the Ministry of Defense had
plans to refurbish some of the Mi-8 helicopters in its inventory to
bring them back to operational standards; however, the Ministry did
not have the resources available to accomplish this task in the
foreseeable future. If funds became available from the UN in the
future, Serbia would be willing to send those on such a mission,
Sutanovac added. Post requests information on possible funding for
such a project.
BRUSH