SUPPORTING NATO TRAINING MISSION IRAQ; POSSIBLE

UNCLAS KYIV 000363 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MOPS NATO PREL IZ UP SUBJECT: SUPPORTING NATO TRAINING MISSION IRAQ; POSSIBLE UKRAINIAN ADDITION TO ISAF REF: A. STATE 16361 ¶B. STATE 15959 ¶1. (SBU) Polcouns met February 25 with MFA Director for NATO Affairs, Myhailo Osnach, and delivered ref A demarche on NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I). Osnach said that despite Ukraine's economic crisis, the GOU intends to maintain its commitment to NTM-I. Ukraine currently has 10 troops in the Mission. Osnach knew of no plans to reduce the number. ¶2. (SBU) We also drew upon ref B information in briefing on increasing U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Osnach affirmed that ISAF remains a high priority for Ukraine. He said MOD was waiting for approval from President Yushchenko to increase Ukraine's contingent from the current 10 troops to 30. Ukraine currently has one staff officer at ISAF HQ in Kabul. The remaining 9 serve in the Lithuanian PRT in Chaghcharan. TAYLOR