NORWEGIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO COUNTER-PIRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000388 SIPDIS FOR EUR/RPM PETER CHISHOLM E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2019 TAGS: MARR NATO PGOV PREL NO SUBJECT: NORWEGIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS IN HORN OF AFRICA REF: STATE 58992 Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Poloff met with Deputy Director General Anita Nergard of the Global Security section of the MFA to discuss reftel demarche. Nergard said that current Norwegian military contributions to counter-piracy operations in the horn of Africa consist of a single frigate that will be deployed starting in August under the ATALANTA operation. At this time, Norway has only one frigate available--it will be sent to the horn as soon as it is on line--and Nergard said that its six month tour was all that was planned right now. ¶2. (C) Nergard said that Norway was also looking at other capacity building measures in neighboring countries, such as police, detention and information gathering/exchange infrastructures to which Norway could contribute expertise, training, or money. These issues are under discussion in the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia. WHITNEY