SLOVENIA: SCENESETTER FOR MOD STATE SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000291 SIPDIS USDI FOR GENERAL CLAPPER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR NATO SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: SCENESETTER FOR MOD STATE SECRETARY KREK'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON Classified By: CDA Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) State Secretary Uros Krek, Slovenia's Deputy Minister of Defense, is visiting the U.S. primarily to determine if there is true U.S. political support /appreciation for Slovenian past and current military efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and NATO. This is an opportunity for senior U.S. officials to communicate their respect for the troops and equipment Slovenia has provided despite political and economic obstacles. Mr. Krek is hoping to leave Washington with a guarantee of the U.S. Government's material and moral support, particularly for the deployment of a Slovenian OMLT in Afghanistan, as the Ministry of Defense prepares to engage a skeptical public and parliament. We suggest that Washington interlocutors press Mr. Krek for specifics on how best to render the desired aid. Additionally, Krek will be seeking to lay the groundwork for a visit to Washington by Defense Minister Ljubica Jelusic; we recommend that the Secretary of Defense send an invitation back with Mr. Krek. Slovenia's Contributions to NATO and Regional Security -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Slovenia,s military has taken great strides in a short time to become an all-volunteer force that is professional, equipped and ready to contribute to the collective security of the NATO Alliance. Slovene contributions represent quality even if the quantity in absolute terms is not large. U.S. and multinational commanders repeatedly praise Slovene soldiers for their professionalism and quality. Slovenia has approximately 7 percent of its armed forces deployed abroad, in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Lebanon, and Syria. ¶3. (U) Slovenia is an important partner in our efforts to stabilize the Western Balkans, integrate these countries into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, and further the democratic transformation of each nation,s polity. Slovenia,s transition from a state-planned economy to a bustling, entrepreneurial business environment is an example for all South-eastern European nations. Economically, politically, and militarily, Slovenia is boxing above its weight. Slovenia currently serves as the Chairman-in-Office of the Council of Europe, as well as President of the European Union Council from January to June 2008, Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2005 and Chairman of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors in 2006-2007. Slovenia was the first of the twelve new members of the European Union to take on the organization,s presidency, a role that can be challenging even for larger countries. Priorities in Bilateral Relationship -------------- ¶4. (C) Our top priorities for the period 2009-2011 are: (1) Successful resolution of the border dispute with Croatia in a manner that allows Croatia to join the European Union as quickly as possible; (2) A qualitative and quantitative increase in Slovenia,s contribution to the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, including willingness to take on more challenging missions; (3) Continued proactive engagement of the Slovenian government, businesses and non-governmental organizations in support of democratic institution-building, economic development, and European integration of the Western Balkans; (4) Continued deployment of a full battalion in NATO,s KFOR mission in Kosovo; and (5) Slovenian acceptance of one or two detainees from Guantanamo; (6) An open and transparent tender for the construction of a second nuclear power plant, for which Westinghouse will likely compete with the support of the USG. ¶5. (U) Unfortunately, in the near term, the global economic crisis is having a negative impact on all of our priorities, putting pressure on the Slovenian defense budget, limiting Slovenia,s ability to deploy troops abroad, train and equip its forces, and hindering bilateral trade and investment. MOD and SAF in Transition -------------- ¶6. (U) The forward looking views of Minister of Defense, Dr. Ljubica Jelusic, about the necessity of defense force transformation have led to some significant changes since she took office in late November ¶2008. She appointed Mr. Uros Krek, a National Defense University (NDU) graduate, as her State Secretary. In addition, she relieved LTG Albin Gutman as the Chief of the General Staff and replaced him with Major General Alojz Steiner, a graduate of the National Defense University, explaining the importance of SAF leadership focused on transformation. She promoted Brigadier Branimir Furlan, an Army War College graduate, to be the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, and placed Brigadier Bojan Pograjc, also a National Defense University graduate, into the position of chief of their equivalent to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in July 2009. Finally, she extended Brigadier Alan Geder, a U.S. Army War College graduate, as the commander of Forces Command and was influential in placing Colonel Dobran Bozic, another NDU graduate, as Commander of First Brigade, which is the Slovene war-fighting, brigade. She has initiated an overall strategic defense review and has also led an interagency review of Slovenia,s Afghanistan policy. She is placing much importance on a capabilities-based, approach to strategy and a project-based, approach to procurement monies. ¶7. (C) The bottom-line on this analysis for the MOD and Slovenia Armed Forces (SAF) is that they are at a critical juncture in their transformation. There are many former Yugoslav officers and enlisted in the SAF, in influential positions, that are suspicious of U.S. intentions. We feel that any down-turn in our support, whether policy-wise, appreciation, or monetary (IMET/FMF) will do undue harm to the efforts of the Minister and the present western-oriented leadership. ¶8. (U) Background: The SAF underwent a major reorganization from 2003 to 2005, with the goal of changing from a conscription-based territorial defense force to a professional, deployable, and combat capable military with NATO. The SAF is also responsible for civil-military disaster relief and continually assists with fire-fighting, mountain and water rescue, and disaster relief from earthquakes and floods. Conscription ended earlier than expected, in October 2003, and compulsory reserve service will end by 2010. As of 2009, Slovenia's professional force included 7,094 soldiers and 4,302 reservists. The current force structure consists of one fully professional motorized infantry brigade and two cadre/reserve force mechanized brigades. The professional brigade represents Slovenia's deployable reaction force. The Slovene Armed Forces also include a small air force, equipped with helicopters and turbo-prop fixed wing aircraft, and a naval attachment, including a coastal patrol boat. U.S. Military Assistance -------------- ¶9. (U) The United States provides bilateral military assistance to Slovenia, through International Military Education and Training (IMET),Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, the State Partnership Program (aligned with the Colorado National Guard),the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) Security Cooperation Program, and the Regional Counterterrorism Fellowship Program (CTFP) and Counter Narcotics Training program. The Mission,s Office of Defense Cooperation continues to stretch modest IMET and FMF funding ($700,000 for IMET and $450,000 for FMF in FY09),sending increasing numbers of students to the U.S. for training and maximizing FMF purchases. In order to stretch their IMET dollars, Slovenia co-funds training for its students which doubles the amount of students sent to US training. Decreasing IMET or FMF would have a significant impact on total numbers of students trained and would impact the pace of transformation. Mil-Mil Initiatives -------------- ¶10. (C) Slovenian military leadership announced on 13 May 2009 that it intends to lead an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Afghanistan, augmented by the Colorado National Guard, with an intended deployment date of mid to late ¶2010. However, this decision still requires political approval. Slovenia has contributed 10,000 rifles, 60 mortars and over 17,000 rounds of mortars to Afghanistan. They also funded the delivery of the materiel themselves via pre-paid NATO flight hours. Slovenia will also respond positively to our request that it donate more equipment. We are working with the SAF to prepare for an OMLT possibility through cooperative engagements with component commands, i.e., US Army Europe and US Air Forces Europe for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers / Joint Forward Observes training, Counter-IED training, convoy escort training, opening up a training range for F16s based at Aviano Air Base in Italy and Slovene PC-9s, and increasing visibility on Slovene desires to establish a Center of Excellence for Mountain Warfare, to include top-off, courses for soldiers going to the Afghanistan Theater. ¶11. (SBU) Two recent initiatives are the intended purchase of a Tactical Transport Aircraft (TTA) and the establishment of a Master Information Exchange Agreement (MIEA). Slovenia recently hosted a C130J development team from the US over a week-long series of meetings. Slovenia as a transport hub to Southeastern Europe and beyond with TTA aircraft or a Depot facility has great gravity for economic development and access for all NATO / Membership Action Plan (MAP) nations. The MIEA umbrella agreement would open up mutually-beneficial exchange opportunities for US and Slovene Defense Industry scientists and defense experts. Slovenia would be eligible for eventual cooperative production under such and agreement. We expect ratification of this agreement and project start dates within the next two years. All of these initiatives are supported by the Mission Country Team. JMTC and JMRC -------------- ¶12. (U) The relationship between the SAF and the Joint Multi-National Training Center (JMTC) and Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) has exploded over the last two years. It has become the norm that SAF units train at JMTC/JMRC prior to their deployments. In January and February of this year, the SAF sent over 1,100 personnel to train at JMTC/JMRC prior to their rotations to Kosovo and Afghanistan. In addition, the SAF sent over 100 personnel to act as civilians on the battlefield (COBs),which greatly relieved the active duty and contract personnel required to perform that mission. In preparation for the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) 12 rotation, they have continued their involvement with a recently completed Mission Rehearsal Exercise along with the US Army 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. ¶13. (U) One Slovene Navy initiative remains on the table and has an interesting background: as a means of eliminating its debt, Russia entered into a contract to build a new multi-purpose vessel with delivery to SAF planned in 2010. The vessel is allegedly being built to NATO standards. It will be 49 meters in length and require a crew of 24. It will require some personnel increases in the navy which is currently comprised of 59 individuals. The SAF also plans to use this vessel for search and rescue operations. A Valued Ally with Domestic Challenges -------------- ¶14. (U) Slovenia's economy is highly dependent on foreign trade. Accordingly, the economy has suffered from the recessions in export markets, primarily Germany. About three-quarters of Slovenia's trade is with the EU. Additionally, the country has penetrated successfully the Balkan and eastern European markets, including the former Soviet Union region. This high level of openness makes Slovenia extremely sensitive to economic conditions in its main trading partners and changes in its international price competitiveness. Keeping labor costs in line with productivity is thus a key challenge for Slovenia's economic well-being. Services contributed the most to the national output in 2007, accounting for 63.5 percent of GDP. Industry and construction comprised 34.4 percent of GDP; and, agriculture, forestry, and fishing accounted for 2 percent of GDP. ¶15. (U) Economic management in Slovenia is relatively good. Public finances showed a deficit of 0.9% of GDP in 2009, well within Maastricht parameters. Due to the global financial crisis, however, experts expect the deficit to rise above 3 percent in 2009. ¶16. (U) The current government is actively introducing measures to shore up Slovenian businesses in light of the global economic crisis. The biggest influence on the Slovene economy in 2009, however, will be the ability of Slovenia,s export markets, notably Germany, to weather the financial storm. Foreign Relations and Regional Cooperation -------------- ¶17. (U) In regular public statements, Slovenia's highest politicians underscore their government's commitment to expanding cooperative arrangements with neighbors and active contributions to international efforts aimed at bringing stability to southeast Europe. Resource limitations are a concern for the government, which does not wish to see itself spread too thin. Nonetheless, the Slovenes are taking concrete steps toward a more outward looking and constructive role in regional and international security arrangements, as resources allow. ¶18. (U) Slovenia takes an active role in humanitarian assistance with donations to the victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami, the Pakistani earthquake, and Hurricane Katrina, as well as ongoing assistance to refugees in Darfur and support for the World Food Program. ¶19. (U) Through its International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF),Slovenia has created the demining instrument of choice for the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the rest of the Balkans, and now even further afield in Central Asia and Cyprus. The organization has raised over $203 million since its inception in 1998 (with the United States contributing over $92 million). ¶20. (U) Slovenia is engaged with 29 countries in bilateral military exchange--most actively with the U.S.--and in regional cooperative arrangements in central and southeast Europe; it participates in or intends to contribute forces for five major multinational regional peacekeeping bodies. ¶21. (U) Slovenia participates in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD),their delivery systems, and related materials worldwide. Slovenia has ratified all 13 international anti-terrorism conventions, and is party to the Wassenaar arrangement controlling exports of weapons and sensitive technology to countries of concern. Slovenia also participates in Southeast European Defense Ministerial (SEDM) activities. Relations with Neighbors -------------- ¶22. (SBU) Slovenia's bilateral relations with its neighbors are generally harmonious and cooperative. However, in late 2008 and early 2009, the border dispute with Croatia occupied headlines in both countries. Croatia,s April 2009 accession to NATO required Slovene ratification, and several small Slovene political parties tried to force a public referendum on the ratification. The push for a referendum failed due to lack of support, and Slovenia,s parliament ratified Croatia,s NATO accession by an overwhelming majority. The EU is actively working with both Slovenia and Croatia to facilitate a resolution to the dispute over maritime and land borders. The U.S. supports a quick solution and welcomes the recent breakthrough between the two Prime Ministers, which appears to have set the course for resolving the dispute this year. On September 15, Slovenia formally withdrew its reservations to Croatia's EU accession negotiations, but details of an arbitration agreement still need to be ironed out. Other outstanding issues include property rights, Croatian depositors' savings in the Ljubljanska Banka from Yugoslav times, and Krsko nuclear plant. U.S.-Slovenia Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶23. (U) Since 1992, the United States and the Republic of Slovenia have developed an impressive track record of cooperation on bilateral, regional, and global issues. The United States has worked closely with the Slovenes to resolve succession issues stemming from the breakup of Yugoslavia. Slovenia provided invaluable assistance to the United States and NATO by facilitating the deployment of the Implementation Force (IFOR)--and subsequently Stabilization Force (SFOR)--to Bosnia after the conclusion of the Dayton accords. With strong U.S. support, Slovenia has developed the International Trust Fund as the demining instrument of choice in the Balkans and is expanding operations to include the Caucasus. ¶24. (U) On the economic front, the United States has worked to develop bilateral trade and investment with Slovenia. U.S. trade (imports and exports) with Slovenia for 2006 was $883.5 million. Under the Support for Eastern European Democracy (SEED) Act, the U.S. provided technical assistance on enterprise competitiveness, banking and pension reform, competition policy, and debt restructuring. Reflecting the progress Slovenia has made in these areas, Slovenia was among the first transition countries to graduate, from the SEED program. ¶25. (U) In October 1997, Slovenia joined the group of countries--now numbering 35--whose citizens enjoy the privilege of visa-free travel to the United States. ¶26. (U) Given Slovenia's economic success and location, its history, language, business ties, and insights into the region, Slovenia is an important partner in advancing the shared goal of regional political and economic stability. The utility of this partnership was demonstrated by effective U.S.-Slovenian cooperation on a broad mix of issues at the U.S.-EU Summit held in Ljubljana in June ¶2008. More than geographically, Slovenia is a bridge from developed Europe into the Balkans, an area of the continent where significant diplomatic and security challenges remain. Our interests are aligned in the region (including expansion of NATO and EU) and our future partnership is crucial. Slovenia,s expertise and strong ties give extra value to its involvement in the region. FREDEN