KOREA MOVES AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR PRT IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 05 KABUL 003852 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM, EAP STATE PASS USAID FOR ASIA/SCAA USFOR-A FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019 TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV KS AF SUBJECT: KOREA MOVES AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR PRT IN AFGHANISTAN REF: A. KABUL 3635 ¶B. SEOUL 1786 ¶C. STATE 106840 ¶D. SEOUL 1735 ¶E. KABUL 3436 ¶F. STATE 115253 ¶G. SEOUL 1789 Classified By: Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Assis tance, Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/REL ISAF) Summary and comment: During his five-day visit to Afghanistan, November 12-17, Korean Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lee Yong-joon solidified Korean plans to establish a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in eastern Afghanistan's Parwan Province. In meetings at International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters, ISAF Joint Command (IJC),the Embassy, Regional Command (East) (RC/E) and at key Afghan government ministries, Lee offered and received support for a Korean plan to open a civilian-led 500-person PRT in Parwan in July 2010. Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIROA) officials with whom Lee met broadly welcomed the Korean offer of assistance, as did Parwan Governor Basir Salangi and Parwan provincial officials. Throughout his meetings, Lee emphasized that that the Koreans are flexible, and wish to support and augment existing GIROA and U.S. development plans in Parwan. As we stand-up a full scale U.S. PRT in Parwan in February 2010, we will need to coordinate closely with the Koreans in our dealings with Parwan officials and on planning our approach to projects in what will be the first province in Afghanistan with two PRTs. Given the immense strategic importance to ISAF of the Bagram Air Field facility (located in Parwan),we will need to shape and use to best advantage this substantial Korean offer of assistance in order to help us further stabilize Parwan Province. End summary and comment. Koreans Outline Plan, Troop Role with COMISAF, IJC -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C/REL ISAF) DFM Lee, who serves as the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, led a 15-person interagency delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Defense, and National Police (full delegation list is contained in ref B). In his call on COMISAF General Stanley McChrystal on November 12, Lee said that Korea was most interested in locating its PRT in Parwan Province. Lee said Parwan is the best location due to its proximity to Bagram Air Field (BAF) where the Korean hospital is located and the Korean Medical Vocational Training Team is due to begin work in 2010. General McChrystal agreed with the choice of Parwan, as long as the proposed location met with the approval of GIROA officials and that its activities would be deconflicted with those of the U.S. PRT in Parwan. ¶3. (C/REL ISAF) Lee told COMISAF that he expected the PRT would include about 70 civilians, 45 police officers, and several hundred elite troops. Lee said Korea is considering bringing six UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to support the PRT, and hoped the aircraft could be based and receive an intermediate level of maintenance support at BAF. Lee asked if Korea could lease 22-30 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles for the PRT,s use. General McChrystal replied that if MRAPs were available for lease, he would support the initiative. ¶4. (C/REL ISAF) Lee acknowledged there was no specific time limit on the duration of the proposed PRT,s deployment. The initial proposal would be for a one-year deployment for the troops assigned to the PRT. An annual parliamentary review for troop deployment would be required, Lee said. ¶5. (C/REL ISAF) Lee explained that the mission of the military component of the PRT will be limited to providing security and protection for the PRT and its activities. This would include patrols, reconnaissance, and surveillance in areas immediately surrounding the PRT and in areas in Parwan Province where the PRT will be conducting its activities. Lee was clear that Korean military forces would not be authorized to conduct offensive military operations. He left a non-paper describing the mission of the ROK military force assigned to the PRT (text of non-paper contained in para 18). ¶6. (C/REL ISAF) At IJC, the Korean delegation met with Deputy Chief of Staff for Stability Operations, Brigadier General KABUL 00003852 002 OF 005 Alberto Corres, for a more technical discussion on command and control relationships between ISAF, regional and task force commands, and PRTs. BG Corres emphasized the need for PRTs to work through the chain of command. IJC staff urged the Koreans to use existing baseline assessments and the Provincial Development Plan in developing projects. BG Corres discussed the role of the PRT Executive Steering Committee and invited Korean Ambassador to Afghanistan Song to become a member of the Committee. In response to a request from the Korean delegation, BG Corres stated that it would be possible to accept Korean staff officers at IJC. The senior military member of the ROK delegation, Brigadier General Jung Yeon-bong, asked for additional information on risk assessments; tactics, techniques, and procedures; force protection measures; rules of engagement; and PRT standard operating procedures. (Note: the Koreans had not yet developed a deployment plan as of the date of this meeting, however they may seek U.S. assistance in moving heavy equipment to Afghanistan. End note). Several police officials on the Korean delegation broke off for a meeting on standardization of training for the Afghan National Police with the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. PRT to Focus on Development -------------- ¶7. (C/REL ISAF) In his meeting at the Embassy on November 13, Lee told Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Assistance, Ambassador Tony Wayne, that he expects ROK parliamentary approval in early December (required for sending troops overseas) and believes Korea will receive an early approval from NATO. Lee stated that Korea hopes to begin staffing the PRT in summer 2010. He confirmed that the PRT would have as many as 500 people, including civilian experts drawn from the Korean international aid agency (KOICA),in addition to police and army troops from Special Forces units for security. Lee said Korea expects to begin construction on its PRT as soon as NATO grants formal agreement, the construction site is finalized, and weather permits. Lee also stated that Korea plans that its PRT will be able to support the mobility requirements of its own staff within the province. ¶8. (C/REL ISAF) Lee told us that he expects the PRT to have four main areas of focus: --Medical assistance and public health: the PRT plans to establish a new hospital accessible to the Parwan provincial capital district of Charikar; in addition, the new $30 million hospital building located on BAF (to be dedicated, Lee said, by him in January 2010) will have a staff of 140 civilians and be an integral part of the PRT. --Education: the PRT plans to build schools, establish a vocation training center, and offer training for local government employees; --Local governance: Lee said the PRT will respond to requests from provincial government in this area; and --Rural development: the PRT plans to engage in agriculture projects and respond to expressed local needs in other areas. Korea is more interested in humanitarian and vocational assistance, and less interested in infrastructure projects, Lee stated. ¶9. (C/REL ISAF) In addition, Lee stated that Korea intends to continue its work in police training and planned to move its existing training program from BAF to the PRT and expand it. In response to requests from the Ministry of Interior, Korea may add training in emergency first aid and martial arts. The PRT is planning to have space for training 50 police at a time, Lee stated. ¶10. (C/REL ISAF) Ambassador Wayne responded positively to the Korean presentation, welcomed Korean flexibility, but stressed the need for close consultations to avoid duplication of effort between the U.S. PRT in Parwan and the proposed new Korean PRT in the same province. Ambassador Wayne and Interagency Provincial Affairs Coordinator Kilner emphasized the strategic importance of BAF to ISAF,s overall mission in Afghanistan and the goals of increasing stability and security in Parwan Province, including building an honest provincial government and encouraging development of sustainable sources of income beyond those directly associated with BAF. KABUL 00003852 003 OF 005 ¶11. (C/REL ISAF) Throughout the discussion at the Embassy, Lee emphasized that that the Koreans are flexible, and wish to support and augment GIROA and U.S. development plans already in place in Parwan; they welcome U.S. guidance, partnership, and coordination; they plan to offer space for U.S. liaison officers at their PRT. Lee told us that Korea expects the U.S. to maintain its role in Parwan. He left a non-paper describing Korea's desire to cooperate with on-going U.S. PRT efforts in Parwan (text of second non-paper contained in para 19). In the evening following the meeting, the Embassy hosted a dinner in DFM Lee's honor that was attended by his delegation and by several GIROA deputy ministers and members of parliament from Parwan. Afghans Welcome ROKG Assistance -------------- ¶12. (C/REL ISAF) On November 14, DFM Lee called on Minister of Foreign Affairs Rangin Spanta who welcomed the Koreans' offer of assistance in Parwan. In a subsequent meeting at the Ministry of Defense, Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said he was appreciative of the robust Korean proposal, especially the air support capacity. Although Minister Wardak noted that Parwan Province is not volatile, Lee asked for security during the construction phase of the PRT, which he estimated might take five months beginning as early as February or March 2010. Minister Wardak promised to coordinate with the Minister of Interior to provide security for the PRT construction site. Minister Wardak asked about the Korean pledge to contribute to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund. Lee confirmed that the ROK will make its first annual $100 million contribution in 2010. ¶13. (C/REL ISAF) At a meeting at the Ministry of Interior, Deputy Minister and Afghan National Police Chief Moneer Mangal discussed police training needs with Lee. Mangal encouraged Lee to plan for eating and lodging facilities for police trainees either within the PRT site itself or outside. Mangal said there was interest in training in emergency first aid and in martial arts (Taekwon do). Mangal also asked for computer equipment and training, and communications equipment. Lee stated that he would look into this, but for Parwan Province only, noting that providing computer and communications equipment for the Afghan National Police at a national level would be too difficult. Lee offered to include police and Ministry of Interior officials in plans Korea is developing for long-term training programs in Korea. In reply to the Koreans' request, Mangal stated that ANP will help provide security to the PRT during the construction phase, and will work with the Korean police and security personnel to assist with security once the PRT is operational. Korean PRT to Be Under RC/E Command and Control -------------- -- ¶14. (C/REL ISAF) Lee and his delegation moved to Bagram Air Field November 15, where they were received by the Commanding General JCTF-82, Major General Curtis Scaparrotti, and RC(E) Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) Dawn Liberi for a comprehensive briefing on the civilian-military integration throughout RC(E),current operational focus, and threat environment. In a subsequent smaller meeting, MG Scaparrotti welcomed the ROK contribution to Parwan, especially the helicopter support Korea intends to provide. MG Scaparrotti emphasized the expectation that the ROK PRT fit into the RC(E) command and control structure. MG Scaparrotti acknowledged Korea's national caveats on the use of its military forces assigned to the PRT, noting the Korean protective forces will fit with overall RC/E operations. MG Scaparrotti's expectations for the ROK PRT are that the ROK be able to: secure its own compound; provide security for its personnel conducting operations outside the PRT; perform patrols in the vicinity of the PRT to gain situational awareness; control coalition assets as required; coordinate its activities with coalition forces; and perform reporting as required by RC(E) and Task Force Cyclone. MG Scaparrotti emphasized that interoperable communications will be essential and requested that a video teleconference with J-6 communications personnel be arranged to discuss this issue. ¶15. (C/REL ISAF) Lee stated that the PRT would be civilian led by an officer at the minister-counselor level, and that the senior military officer at the PRT would be at the rank of colonel/0-6. Korea's intent is to have PRT construction completed and the PRT staffed and running by July 2010. He KABUL 00003852 004 OF 005 said that approximately 60 ROK aviation personnel (crew and maintenance) will be needed to support the six UH-60 helicopters Korea plans to bring. Korea hopes that the personnel will be billeted at BAF. Lee asked MG Scaparrotti if ramp space for the aircraft could be made available at BAF. MG Scaparrotti promised to check on this. Lee said that Korea had identified a requirement for at least 20 MRAPs to be used for patrols around the PRT and asked if this number could be included in the CENTCOM assessment of coalition requirements. ¶16. (C/REL ISAF) Following a meeting with Parwan Governor Basir Salangi, Parwan Chief of National Security Mirza Shaw, Parwan Police Chief Abdul Rahman Sayed Khali, and other provincial officials arranged by RC/E on BAF, DFM Lee and some members of his delegation conducted a site survey of three potential PRT sites north of BAF. Deputy Minister of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) Barna Karimi participated in the meeting with provincial officials and the site survey. The Koreans stated a preference for a site on public land, which they understood would not require payment for a lease. Lee identified a site he preferred north of the provincial capital Charikar, but was told by Governor Salangi that this location had already been designated for another use. Governor Salangi told Lee that he would seek to have the land redesignated for use by the Koreans. (Note: on November 29, the Korean Embassy reported to us that Governor Salangi had confirmed availability of public land for a site, but the ROK Embassy was seeking assistance from IDLG to confirm which site the provincial government was making available. End note) ¶17. (C/REL ISAF) Before Lee and his delegation departed Afghanistan, they visited the New Zealand-run PRT in Bamyan Province for a briefing by the PRT commander. DFM Lee told us he requested a visit to Bamyan because he wanted to learn how New Zealand runs its PRT. The ROK is interested in offering assistance to Bamyan Province, he said, but only as a secondary activity after its PRT in Parwan is established. There is more to do in Parwan, Lee said. Non-paper "Mission of the Military and Police Components for the Korean PRT" -------------- -------------- ¶18. (SBU) Begin text of first non-paper: ¶1. The mission of the military component of the Korean PRT will be limited to providing security and protection for the Korean PRT and its activities. ¶2. Insofar as it is determined by the Korean PRT that patrol activities may be necessary for fulfilling the military component's mission, as stated in paragraph 1, the military component will conduct such patrol activities to the extent necessary and within the limits of its capabilities. These include reconnaissance and surveillance in areas immediately surrounding the Korean PRT premises and in areas where the Korean PRT will be conducting its activities. ¶3. The Korean PRT will share with ISAF information on adversarial or hostile activities in its area of operation. ¶4. The Korean police component will provide support for ANP (Afghan National Police) training and internal security for the civilian component of the Korean PRT. It will not be involved in supporting military operations except for the purpose of self-defense in emergency situations. ¶5. The Korean government is ready to discuss ways to render mutual assistance between the Korean PRT and ISAF under terms mutually agreed upon and in ways consistent with paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4. End text of first non-paper. Non-paper "ROK-US Cooperation in Parwan Province" -------------- --- ¶19. (SBU) Begin text of second non-paper: The ROKG intends to establish and lead an independent PRT near Charikar, Parwan Province, under the consent of NATO-ISAF, USG, and GoIRA. The ROKG will welcome the continuation of ongoing reconstruction projects and any new projects in Parwan Province conducted by the US as a partner country to the Korean PRT. The ROKG, in developing plans to support KABUL 00003852 005 OF 005 reconstruction in Parwan through consultations with the Provincial Development Council, is ready to show necessary flexibility to avoid duplication or conflict between with efforts of Korea and the US. The ROKG will also welcome any US role in assisting provincial and district-level governance in Parwan Province that the US wishes to assume as a partner country in the Korean PRT, and is ready to consult with the US on ways to coordinate our respective assistance efforts. The ROKG will welcome US contributions in the area of governance where the US has specific expertise and experience. In order to facilitate US activities as a "Partner Country," the ROKG is ready to consider providing office space within the Korean PRT for US personnel. Should the USG deem it necessary, the ROKG is prepared to arrange expert-level meetings with the US side at any time for the purpose of discussing the above-mentioned issues and other related projects. End of text of second non-paper. ¶20. (U) LTC Steve Park, Country Director for Korea, Office of the Secretary of Defense, accompanied the Korean delegation to most of its meetings in Afghanistan and contributed to this report. Eikenberry