(C) SECRETARY CLINTON'S MARCH 5, 2009, MEETING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 09 PARTO 032028 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/06/2019 TAGS: OVIP CLINTON HILLARY MOPS NATO PGOV PREL KV, AF, PK SUBJECT: (C) SECRETARY CLINTON'S MARCH 5, 2009, MEETING WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL FOREIGN MINISTERS PARTO 00000028 001.2 OF 009 ¶1. (U) Classified by: Kenneth Merten, Deputy Executive Secretary, S/ES, Department of State. Reason 1.4.(d) ¶2. (U) March 5, 2009; 9:00 a.m.; Brussels, Belgium. ¶3. (U) Participants: U.S. The Secretary Ambassador Kurt Volker EUR A/S Dan Fried NSC Senior Director Liz Sherwood-Randall Lieutenant General Paul Selva NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Chairman of the Military Committee Admiral NATO COUNTRIES Albania (Invitee): FM Lulzim Basha Belgium: FM Karel De Gucht Bulgaria: FM Ivailo Kalfin Canada: FM Lawrence Cannon Croatia (Invitee): FM Gordan Jandrokovic Czech Republic: FM Karel Schwarzenberg Denmark: FM Dr. Per Stig Moller Estonia: FM Urmas Paet France: FM Bernard Kouchner Germany: FM Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier Greece: FM Dora Bakoyannis Hungary: FM Dr. Kinga Goncz Iceland: Ambassador Thorsteinn Ingolfsson Italy: FM Franco Frattini Latvia: FM Maris Riekstins Lithuania: FM Vygaudas Usackas Luxembourg: FM Jean Asselborn Netherlands: FM Maxime Verhagen Norway: FM Jonas Gahr Store Poland: FM Radoslaw Sikorski Portugal: FM Luis Amado Romania: FM Cristian Diaconescu Slovakia: FM Miroslav Lajcak Slovenia: FM Samuel Zbogar Spain: FM Miguel Angel Moratinos Turkey: FM Ali Babacan United Kingdom: FM David Miliband SHAPE Supreme Allied Commander Europe: General John Bantz Craddock Supreme Allied Commander Transformation: General James Mattis EU High Representative Javier Solana ¶4. (C) SUMMARY: The North Atlantic Council at the level of foreign ministers convened March 5, 2009, to discuss NATO's operation in Afghanistan and define the Alliance's future relationship with Russia. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer added that the Declaration of Alliance Security will be a third key priority at the PARTO 00000028 002.2 OF 009 upcoming Strasbourg/Kehl Summit in April. The Secretary stressed the U.S. commitment to "real dialogue" with Allies and to giving first priority to collective defense while also confronting new threats. France announced that it would take a decision on March 17 on seeking reintegration into NATO. ¶5. (C) Allies appreciated Washington's consultative Afghanistan-Pakistan strategic review process, welcomed the regional approach, and urged a comprehensive "political surge." Discussion centered on how to assure security and legitimacy of the Afghan government in the May-August time frame after President Karzai's authority expires. In a Ministers-only session after the main plenary, most Allies expressed strong reservations about a "big tent" formula for the pre-Summit Foreign Ministers' meeting on Afghanistan, arguing in particular the need for proper preparation of such an event. Most favored using the "Bucharest formula" with NATO chairing and organizing the meeting. ¶6. (C) The Secretary, supported by all Allies except Lithuania, called for renewed Alliance engagement with Russia via the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) while retaining a commitment to discuss areas where we disagree with Russian actions. Norway challenged Allies to empower the Secretary to tell Russian FM Lavrov in Geneva on March 6 that NATO is ready to re-engage. A number of Allies emphasized that the Balkans are in danger of being forgotten. They called on the Alliance to remain committed to finishing the job in the region and urged caution about drawing down KFOR too quickly. END SUMMARY. -------------- SUMMIT: CELEBRATION AND CHALLENGE -------------- ¶7. (C) The Secretary General opened the meeting by stating that the Strasbourg-Kehl Summit in April would be a celebration. The Alliance looked forward to welcoming President Obama and hopefully including Albania and Croatia as new members. He emphasized that the Allies also needed to use the Summit as an opportunity to show determination to confront key challenges, in particular in defining NATO's role and strategy in Afghanistan, NATO's relations with Russia, and the Declaration on Alliance Security. French FM Kouchner added that the Summit would be a symbol of Franco-German and European reconciliation, an entente for which he credited NATO. -------------- SECRETARY CALLS FOR REAL DIALOGUE AND UNITY -------------- ¶8. (C) Secretary Clinton stressed the U.S. and Administration commitment to restoring "real dialogue" within the Alliance. The Secretary emphasized the importance of not being trapped between false choices of "hard" and "soft" power; the Allies need to be "smart," committed to using all tools available to ensure Transatlantic security. The Secretary called collective PARTO 00000028 003.2 OF 009 defense our "first and overriding priority" and said NATO must also be prepared to confront new threats. She called on the Alliance to be flexible, pragmatic, and united around its shared principles in order to act decisively and succeed against old and new threats. -------------- FRENCH NATO REINTEGRATION -------------- ¶9. (C) German Foreign Minister Steinmeier called the Secretary's remarks a "fresh impulse" to NATO and welcomed the Administration's desire for Allied input. French FM Kouchner added that the European Allies wanted to respond to the U.S. by being responsible partners. FM Kouchner said EU European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) and French reintegration into NATO were "supporting strands" and called for better NATO-EU cooperation. He expressed conviction that the Transatlantic Alliance will be strengthened, and in that regard, announced that President Sarkozy will make a decision on French reintegration on March 17 "in full respect" of NATO's rules. -------------- --- AFGHAINSTAN: COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED, APPROACH -------------- --- ¶10. (C) NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (SYG) called for updating the agreed NATO political- military strategy for Afghanistan taking into account the evolution of the situation on the ground since last year. He highlighted the need for forces, resources, and better implementation to make the mission a success. The SYG identified five immediate priorities: 1) supporting Afghan presidential elections; 2) building up Afghan National Security Forces; 3) implementing a whole-of- international-community civil-military approach; 4) addressing Afghanistan in a regional context; and 5) reinforcing NATO cooperation with Pakistan. ¶11. (C) Secretary Clinton noted the ongoing U.S. strategic review and the upcoming visit of Vice President Biden (March 10). She underlined Washington's commitment to consultation and listening to input during and beyond the review. Ministers responded positively to this tone. ¶12. (C) The Secretary pointed out the need for better coordination. Denmark and Romania emphasized an integrated approach heavy with institutional and personnel capacity building, anti-corruption measures, and improving rule of law. Norwegian FM Store chided Spain for promoting out-of-country training in Madrid of Afghan officials rather than engaging them on the ground (Spain worried that its soldiers were engaged in protecting only themselves without venturing beyond "the wire" of their Provincial Reconstruction Team). Store said NATO needs a countrywide approach, not a piecemeal one, and added that the international community must more accurately track development assistance. ¶13. (C) UK FM Miliband called the international PARTO 00000028 004.2 OF 009 community's attention to "the critical period of the next five years" under a new Afghan government. He cautioned against over-focus on the months leading up to elections. The Netherlands reminded Ministers that the Afghanistan Compact will end in 2010. Miliband emphasized the need to practice what we preach on "Afghanization," and said NATO should emulate the Iraq model of a province by province approach to transferring authority. He noted lackluster reconciliation efforts to date. Germany underscored the importance of Afghan ownership and conditions-based transfer of responsibility. French FM Kouchner added that the daily lives of Afghan people needed to consistently improve. Bulgaria "urged realism" and said the international community might need to reconsider its ambitions. -------------- REGIONAL CONTEXT -------------- ¶14. (C) The Secretary grouped Afghanistan and Pakistan as a single strategic concern, and called the border area between them the nerve center of global terrorism. Germany and France echoed the U.S. designation of an Afghanistan-Pakistan Special Representative with similar appointments of their own. The Secretary said a long- term solution will require a regionally focused, integrated civil-military strategy with the participation of all Allies, partners, and neighbors. Everyone except Belgium welcomed the regional approach - FM De Gucht worried about "stigmatizing" Pakistan vis-a-vis India. The SYG noted that foreign ministers' decision on NATO's future relationship with Russia would have implications for Afghanistan on issues of regional stability and counter-terrorism. Romania and Latvia proposed broader regional engagement with Central Asian states. -------------- SUPPORTING AFGHAN ARMY AND POLICE -------------- ¶15. (C) The SYG asked nations to support Afghan National Security Force development, particularly the enlarged Afghan army through contributions to the newly expanded Afghan National Army Trust Fund. Secretary Clinton, Danish FM Moller, and Norwegian FM Store said NATO should step up its efforts in police development and continue strengthening the army. In a change from the previous Turkish position, FM Babacan called for NATO to do police training. Germany and France urged increased NATO commitments to police training. Steinmeier encouraged additional bilateral police training commitments to the Focused District Development program. ¶16. (C) Canada, supported by Poland, stressed a common approach to security across Afghanistan without caveats to give commanders maximum flexibility. Poland tied future troop and financial contributions to more equitable burden sharing. Canadian FM Cannon asked nations to increase contributions of mentoring teams for Afghan army and especially police units. Cannon and FM Miliband said NATO should give more robust support to PARTO 00000028 005.2 OF 009 Afghan Minister of Interior Atmar and fulfill his requests. ¶17. (C) Denmark and Turkey welcomed additional U.S. troop contributions. Denmark was the only nation to mention civilian casualties as a continued critical area of focus, but acknowledged recent improvements in ISAF procedures and responses when they do occur. -------------- - ELECTIONS CREDIBILITY AND BRIDGE OF LEGITIMACY -------------- - ¶18. (C) The SYG, supported by Secretary Clinton and others, called on nations to support the Afghan Independent Election Commission's decision to uphold August 20, 2009, as the presidential and provincial council election date. He acknowledged the constitutional dilemma of Karzai's authority expiring May ¶22. He asked NATO to fulfil elections support force requirements. ¶19. (C) Allies unanimously agreed that credibility is the most critical quality of upcoming elections, which should produce a result that reflects the democratic will of the people. Turkey asked that all political actors who renounce violence be embraced and all ethnicities represented in the electoral process. Denmark urged that civilian and military contributions to elections emphasize burden sharing and Alliance solidarity. Greece noted a possible OSCE role in election support. ¶20. (C) Afghan FM Spanta phoned the SYG and a number of nations to request that NATO support President Karzai's continued tenure through the interim May-August period in whatever form the government takes. Secretary Clinton added that "we have a responsibility to work with the Afghan government to help it build a bridge of legitimacy" for Karzai during the interim period. Allies urged collective diplomatic pressure on Afghanistan to find an interim arrangement that is Afghan-owned, agreed by Karzai and Parliament, and blessed by the Supreme Court. All said the international community will have to be careful to support an interim government without prejudging election results, while permitting legitimacy and security to prevail. -------------- NATO ENGAGEMENT WITH PAKISTAN -------------- ¶21. (C) Danish FM Moller said NATO should encourage practical military cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and establish the NATO Contact Point Embassy in Islamabad. Turkey, Canada, and Greece agreed on the importance of improved military consultation with Pakistan, but urged NATO to expand the relationship to include political dialogue and potential Partnership. Italy called for NATO to pay close attention to Pakistan's economic and institutional crises, and divert Islamabad's focus from a perceived Indian threat to the "real threat" in its tribal areas. PARTO 00000028 006.2 OF 009 -------------- FORMAT OF PRE-SUMMIT AFGHANISTAN MEETING -------------- ¶22. (C) Secretary Clinton proposed holding an Afghanistan meeting of Foreign Ministers on March 31, prior to the NATO Summit, in a "big tent" formula including NATO Allies, ISAF partners, financial contributors, transit countries, international organizations, and Afghanistan's neighbors. She said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon may convene the meeting, with UN Special Representative of the Secretary General Kai Eide chairing. Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain supported the U.S. proposal for a pre-Summit Ministerial, though in a private session many ministers questioned the "big tent" format. Canada wanted an only- ISAF meeting at the Heads of State and Government level at the NATO Summit in April. Italy pointed out the importance of including Iran to engage on anti-weapons smuggling and counter-narcotics. ¶23. (C) Only France and Portugal stressed that a broader- format meeting would "universalize" the Afghanistan mission as an international community responsibility. Other Allies had reservations about extending invitations to a broader group at short notice, and said a larger meeting must have clear goals, objectives, and outcomes. A few ministers were confused whether this meeting would be "on Afghanistan including Pakistan as an invitee" or "an Af-Pak meeting," preferring the former. -------------- SUMMIT DECLARATION ON AFGHANSITAN -------------- ¶24. (C) Allies supported a stand-alone NATO Summit Declaration on Afghanistan. Denmark, Romania, Italy, Slovenia, and Estonia said this statement should reaffirm NATO's long-term commitment, show strengthening of the integrated civilian-military effort, demonstrate the importance of Afghan leadership, highlight international community coordination, and showcase a concrete list of deliverables. Estonia's FM suggested deliverables, including the Afghan National Army Trust Fund expansion, a new NATO police training framework, and improved cooperation with Pakistan. -------------- ANNOUNCED CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN -------------- ¶25. (C) Foreign ministers announced the following contributions to the effort in Afghanistan during their interventions: -- Lithuania promised additional deployments in Ghor province during elections and Special Operations Forces for Regional Command South. -- Germany reiterated its commitment of 500-600 troops PARTO 00000028 007.2 OF 009 for the Elections Support Force (in Regional Command North),promised to field a total of seven Operational Maneuver and Liaison Teams, and said it is standing up an engineering school in Mazar-i Sharif. -- Romania was adding 135 soldiers to bring their total commitment to nearly 1000 troops, and will consider additional army and police training. -- Italy was considering large increases in its police training efforts and giving ISAF commanders greater flexibility. -- Albania will add a company to elections support. -- Croatia will deploy two more mentoring teams (NFI) in March, and was considering sending police trainers and civilian and development assistance. -------------- RE-ENGAGING RUSSIA -------------- ¶26. (C) The Secretary called on the Alliance to work with Russia on issues of common interest, while also using our NATO-Russia engagement to address frankly areas where we disagree as well. She encouraged cooperation on Afghanistan, counter-narcotics, counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, arms control, and the Iranian and North Korean nuclear threats. The Secretary stressed, however, that the Allies must never recognize Abkhazia or South Ossetia as independent states, nor accept Russian assertions of spheres of influence. She called on the Allies to stand by our commitment to eventual membership of Georgia and Ukraine in NATO. ¶27. (C) The Secretary said it was time to reactivate the NATO-Russia Council (NRC),not as a reward for Russia but as a mechanism for dialogue. All Allies, except Lithuania, backed the Secretary's call and expressed support for the U.S.-German non-paper on NATO and Europe's East as a way forward. Norway challenged Allies to empower the Secretary to tell Russian FM Lavrov in Geneva on March 6 that NATO is ready to re-engage. France, the Netherlands, and Turkey called for a NRC Ministerial before June, and Romania said reengagement must be part of a broader NATO Eastern policy that includes collective defense and enlargement. ¶28. (C) Lithuanian FM Usackas expressed general support for the U.S.-German proposals, but favored having Heads of State and Government take the decision on reactivating the NRC at the Summit in April. Germany, Italy, and Luxembourg challenged Lithuania to reconsider. Germany said it was time to reactivate, but also reform, the NRC in order to foster substantive debate with Russia. Czech FM Schwarzenberg proposed that Allies also work toward a common internal understanding of what they want from the NRC. ¶29. (C) Canada said that the Allies should deliver a strong message to Russia on values and the military PARTO 00000028 008.2 OF 009 build-up in Georgia. British FM Miliband said restarting the NRC was not a return to business as usual, and NATO should be explicit about putting Georgia on the table in the NRC. France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain added that the Allies should use dialogue with Russia to convey our shared convictions. Belgium, Estonia, and Poland agreed but expressed skepticism about the likelihood of serious engagement by Russia. Belgium, supported by Latvia, said it was even more important to have a serious discussion within NATO about energy security. ¶30. (C) Greek FM Bakoyannis (Note: current OSCE Chairman in Office. End Note.) said Allies should look for multiple avenues for engaging Russia in dialogue and emphasized the OSCE as a forum for discussing Russian President Medvedev's European Security Treaty proposal. Bulgaria, Estonia, and Hungary said the OSCE is the primary forum for this discussion, but cautioned against jeopardizing the current security architecture. Hungary said NATO should also discuss the Medvedev proposal internally, and Turkey said NATO should use the NRC to influence Russia on this issue. In the end, after a lengthy ministers-only session and substantial negotiation in the corridors, Lithuania joined consensus on a text that the SYG used with the press, resuming the NATO-Russia Council, including at ministerial level, while stressing we will also raise areas of disagreement with Russia, including concerning Georgia. -------------- WESTERN BALKANS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS -------------- ¶31. (C) The Secretary, backed by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Slovakia, and Croatia, emphasized that the Balkans are in danger of being forgotten and called on the Alliance to remain committed to finishing the job in the region. Czech FM Schwarzenberg, supported by Albania and Slovenia, said NATO should send a strong message of support to the Western Balkans at the Summit. Hungary said NATO's commitment to the Western Balkans should be included in the Declaration on Alliance Security. ¶32. (C) Hungary warned that NATO's credibility was at stake if it failed to admit Albania and Croatia as members at the Summit, and Slovenian FM Zbogar said his government was working hard to ensure ratification before the Summit. Slovakian FM Lajcak said NATO needed a unified approach to Bosnia. Hungary and Slovenia said NATO should offer a Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Montenegro at the Summit, and Hungary added that the Alliance should send a positive message to Serbia. -------------- -- KOSOVO: DISCUSSION OF KFOR DOWNSIZING UNHELPFUL -------------- -- ¶33. (C) The SYG, supported by Secretary Clinton, reiterated that public speculation on downsizing KFOR is PARTO 00000028 009.2 OF 009 unhelpful. The Council will take a political decision on this issue only after receiving military advice from SACEUR, and the situation in Kosovo remains too fragile for disengagement. The Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, and Albania reiterated that now is not the right time to downsize KFOR, although French FM Kouchner added that KFOR should move to a deterrent presence as soon as conditions permitted. ¶34. (C) Germany and Denmark expressed optimism about the situation in Kosovo, and Danish FM Moller called on the Alliance to give thorough consideration to whether the time was right for moving KFOR to deterrent presence. The UK acknowledged the SYG's point, but pleaded for a "private" plan to reconfigure KFOR. Spain said it does not plan to withdraw its forces from KFOR, but would not block consensus on moving to deterrent presence. ¶35. (C) Turkish FM Babacan said it planned to increase its contribution to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX),called on EULEX to reach full operating capability quickly, and said that KFOR should not serve as a "static protection force" for EULEX. Hungary and Slovenia said KFOR-EULEX cooperation was critical. The Netherlands pledged to contribute 1 million euros to the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) stand-up fund. -------------- RAISING ARMS CONTROL PROFILE -------------- ¶36. (C) Germany, supported by the Netherlands and Norway, called on the Alliance to give priority to arms control and disarmament, saying the topic was important for convincing younger Europeans of NATO's relevance. German FM Steinmeier said reductions were feasible and should be envisioned. He said more needs to be done on CFE and, backed by Greece, called arms control an area where renewed dialogue with Russia is key. -------------- - NATO HQ REFORM: SYG ASKS FOR ALLIANCE SUPPORT -------------- - ¶37. (C) The U.S., Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the UK supported SYG's NATO headquarters reform proposals, and SYG called for HQ reform to be a deliverable for the Summit. Greece, Romania, Spain, and Turkey stressed the need to preserve consensus decision-making and protect the role of the Military Committee. -------------- MISSILE DEFENSE -------------- ¶38. (C) Czech FM Schwarzenberg said NATO should continue to work on missile defense, calling it a key tool to protect Allies "if diplomacy fails." CLINTON