U.S.-TIMOR-LESTE BILATERAL MILITARY CONSULTATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DILI 000221 SENSITIVE SIPDIS PACOM FOR CAPT PKELLY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PGOV PREL TT SUBJECT: U.S.-TIMOR-LESTE BILATERAL MILITARY CONSULTATIONS DILI 00000221 001.2 OF 003 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The first U.S.-Timor-Leste Bilateral Defense Discussion (BDD) took place in Dili on August 18. The two delegations discussed the full range of military-to-military activities, from strategic dialogue and operational cooperation to planning and executing training, exercises, exchanges and related activities. The Timorese delegation briefed its Force 2020 strategy, highlighting the creation of a national maritime authority and a long-term interest in participating in peacekeeping operations. The Timorese reiterated a long-standing request for a U.S. legal advisor and sought technical and legal assistance in the creation of a national maritime authority. The U.S. discussed its current operational plan, including an exercise in Timor-Leste involving nearly 2,800 U.S. marines scheduled for October 2009. The BDD is an important step in our efforts to professionalize the Timorese military and keep it focused on a well-defined national security mission. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Timor-Leste hosted a visiting U.S. delegation on August 18 for the first-ever U.S.-Timor-Leste Bilateral Defense Discussion (BDD). The U.S. delegation was headed by the Ambassador and Captain Patrick Kelly, Chief of the Southeast Asia Policy Division at U.S. Pacific Command. The Timorese side was led by Dr. Julio Pinto, Secretary of State for Defense, and Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak, Chief of the Defense Force of Timor-Leste (F-FDTL). Both delegations included representatives from multiple service branches and the wider defense and security community. -------------- Developing the Timorese Force -------------- ¶3. (U) The Timorese delegation described the F-FDTL's continuing transition from a guerrilla force to one focused on conventional warfare, nation building and responding to unconventional transnational threats. The 2006 petitioners crisis, during which roughly one-third of the military's force strength walked off the job and was eventually fired, was a large setback for the military, costing it hundreds of trained personnel, as well as lost equipment, and creating poor morale throughout the force. F-FDTL is still recovering from the petitioners crisis and is still looking for ways to speed the retirement of guerrilla-era veterans and to address the force's inadequate equipment. ¶4. (U) Both the Ministry of Defense and the F-FDTL will be restructured in accordance with a series of laws relating to national defense and security working their way through the National Parliament. In addition to legal reforms, the F-FDTL is reorienting its recruiting process and increasing the educational requirements for incoming personnel. F-FDTL intends to grow to a force strength of 1,980 by 2012, and 3000 regulars by 2020, up from roughly 600 trained soldiers today. The F-FDTL is currently training approximately another 600 who will not finish basic and special skills training until next year. Basic and advanced training assistance is expected to come from Portugal, with Australia providing more specialized training. The U.S. is reviewing possible avenues to use Navy engineers to augment Australia's efforts to provide specialized engineer training. ¶5. (U) The Timorese delegation highlighted two particular challenges and goals. The first is the creation of a new national maritime authority, which will require the F-FDTL to develop its naval capacity. The second goal is the ability to participate in UN peacekeeping operations. The Timorese hope to first deploy observers, then embed personnel with bilateral DILI 00000221 002.2 OF 003 partners, before eventually forming a dedicated peacekeeping contingent of their own. The English language skills of F-FDTL personnel will need to improve dramatically for UN PKO to be a realistic possibility. -------------- U.S. Engagement -------------- ¶6. (U) The U.S. side underscored the importance of recent engagement activities such as the Pacific Angel and Pacific Partnership humanitarian missions that treated over 4,000 and 10,000 patients in 2009 and 2008, respectively. A detachment from Navy Construction Battalion One just recently relieved the first Seabee detachment to complete a 6-month rotation in Timor-Leste. Looking ahead, the 2800-strong U.S. Marine exercise scheduled to take place in Timor-Leste in October will provide opportunity for the largest-scale opportunity to date for interaction between the two militaries. ¶7. (U) The U.S. provided Timor-Leste with a draft memorandum of understanding to guide future military-to-military activities. The MOU outlines strategic goals and supplements the 2002 Status of Forces Agreement. The Timorese delegation appreciated receiving a draft but cautioned that formal approval could be a time-consuming process as they must forward it to the President and Prime Minister's Office for review and consideration. ¶8. (SBU) The Timorese delegation reminded that they have requested a U.S. legal advisor to assist both the Chief of Defense and Secretary of State for Defense since early 2008. Both emphasized that a U.S. legal advisor with military and civil law experience remains a critical need, while Portuguese language skills are not necessary. Secretary Pinto also strongly requested legal and technical assistance from the U.S. in establishing a national maritime authority to develop law and policy and coordinate the creation of maritime security capabilities. General Ruak repeated his earlier request for access to additional U.S. training billets. He also offered use of the Baucau air field to U.S. forces and asked that the U.S. cooperate in the identification and development of military training areas in Timor-Leste for use by Timorese forces and those from international partners. -------------- Transparency Begets Transparency -------------- ¶9. (SBU) In an effort to promote transparency and coordination, the visiting U.S. delegation briefed Timor Leste's diplomatic corps and defense attaches. This conference included discussion on U.S. military engagement with Timor-Leste as well as the outcome of the bilateral talks. The forum encouraged other donor nations to share their current and planned engagements with the host nation reducing the chance of duplicating efforts. The Chinese DATT acknowledged that there is a delay in delivering the recently acquisitioned patrol boats as the manufacturer is still waiting for payment. -------------- COMMENT DILI 00000221 003.2 OF 003 -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The BDD was another indication of the enthusiasm Timor-Leste has for dealing with the United States on defense and security matters. The day before the dialogue Secretary Pinto released a long article in the local press praising U.S. defense cooperation, in particular the respect the U.S. showed Timor-Leste by pursuing activities in a truly collaborative fashion. Military engagement has become a very positive component of our bilateral relationship with Timor-Leste, one which will continue to provide real benefits in the months and years ahead. To secure the success of future bilateral engagement, we must now respond positively and promptly to Timor-Leste's long-standing request for a U.S. military advisor. Further, U.S. assistance to the creation of Timor-Leste's national maritime authority could be critical to the success of a key entity in developing realistic and well-coordinated maritime security capabilities. KLEMM