Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERLIN229
2009-02-24 18:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMANS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT TO
how-toVZCZCXRO1320 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRL #0229 0551823 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241823Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3393 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0257 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0725 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000229
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR CHRIS DAVY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: GM MARR MOPS NATO PREL IZ EUN
SUBJECT: GERMANS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT TO
NTM-I AT THIS TIME
REF: STATE 16188
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 000229
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR CHRIS DAVY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: GM MARR MOPS NATO PREL IZ EUN
SUBJECT: GERMANS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT TO
NTM-I AT THIS TIME
REF: STATE 16188
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
1. (C) POLOFF delivered ref points to Gunnar Denecke, deputy
in the MFA's Defense and Security Policy Division, and
(separately) Klemens Semtner, head of the Iraq Unit, on
February 24. While both expressed support for NTM-I's
mission, Denecke reiterated Germany's oft-heard "no boots on
the ground" mantra, which he fully expects to remain in place
through Germany's federal elections in September 2009.
Semtner further noted that, despite FM Steinmeier's "timely"
visit to Baghdad February 17 and 18 (see additional reporting
septel),support for NTM-I was not raised by the Iraqis or
the Germans.
2. (C) Denecke noted past and "continuing" German support for
the NTM-I trust fund, training offered in the U.A.E., and
material supplied, and said Germany would be "willing to do
more" along those lines. At the same time he acknowledged
that the trust fund is already fully funded, the materials
have been supplied, and no additional training is currently
planned. When pressed to consider providing a "symbolic"
contribution to NTM-I in Iraq, Denecke argued that the German
Parliament (Bundestag) would need to be consulted, and a
"mandate" would need to be passed -- "even if just for
trainers." NOTE: Actually, the German deployment law only
requires a parliamentary mandate for "armed" troop
deployments, but clearly the government is eager to avoid any
suggestions of sending German troops to Iraq. That said,
retired German General and former NATO Military Committee
Chairman Harald Kujat has indicated to the embassy that he is
willing to go to Iraq to give lectures and do mentoring
through NTM-I. END NOTE.
3. (C) Denecke also noted that the government of Iraq has yet
to provide clarifications on the legal status of NATO troops,
leading to an impression among the Allies that Iraq may not
be "enthusiastic" about a substantial NATO presence following
July 31, 2009. Despite pushing back with key arguments,
Denecke expressed the view that Washington might be
"optimistic" in its assessment of the matter, noting that
"Iraq simply does not appear to be that supportive."
Koenig
SIPDIS
EUR/RPM FOR CHRIS DAVY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2019
TAGS: GM MARR MOPS NATO PREL IZ EUN
SUBJECT: GERMANS UNLIKELY TO INCREASE THEIR SUPPORT TO
NTM-I AT THIS TIME
REF: STATE 16188
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JEFF RATHKE. REASONS: 1.4 (
B) AND (D).
1. (C) POLOFF delivered ref points to Gunnar Denecke, deputy
in the MFA's Defense and Security Policy Division, and
(separately) Klemens Semtner, head of the Iraq Unit, on
February 24. While both expressed support for NTM-I's
mission, Denecke reiterated Germany's oft-heard "no boots on
the ground" mantra, which he fully expects to remain in place
through Germany's federal elections in September 2009.
Semtner further noted that, despite FM Steinmeier's "timely"
visit to Baghdad February 17 and 18 (see additional reporting
septel),support for NTM-I was not raised by the Iraqis or
the Germans.
2. (C) Denecke noted past and "continuing" German support for
the NTM-I trust fund, training offered in the U.A.E., and
material supplied, and said Germany would be "willing to do
more" along those lines. At the same time he acknowledged
that the trust fund is already fully funded, the materials
have been supplied, and no additional training is currently
planned. When pressed to consider providing a "symbolic"
contribution to NTM-I in Iraq, Denecke argued that the German
Parliament (Bundestag) would need to be consulted, and a
"mandate" would need to be passed -- "even if just for
trainers." NOTE: Actually, the German deployment law only
requires a parliamentary mandate for "armed" troop
deployments, but clearly the government is eager to avoid any
suggestions of sending German troops to Iraq. That said,
retired German General and former NATO Military Committee
Chairman Harald Kujat has indicated to the embassy that he is
willing to go to Iraq to give lectures and do mentoring
through NTM-I. END NOTE.
3. (C) Denecke also noted that the government of Iraq has yet
to provide clarifications on the legal status of NATO troops,
leading to an impression among the Allies that Iraq may not
be "enthusiastic" about a substantial NATO presence following
July 31, 2009. Despite pushing back with key arguments,
Denecke expressed the view that Washington might be
"optimistic" in its assessment of the matter, noting that
"Iraq simply does not appear to be that supportive."
Koenig