ROK PLANS FOR A PRT IN AFGHANISTAN

S E C R E T STATE 115253 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2019 TAGS: AF MARR MOPS NATO PREL KS SUBJECT: ROK PLANS FOR A PRT IN AFGHANISTAN REF: A. SEOUL 1504 ¶B. STATE 106840 ¶C. KABUL 3436 Classified By: EAP A/S Kurt M. Campbell for reasons 1.4 (a) and (b). ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request, see paragraph 3. ¶2. (S/NF) Background: On October 29, 2009, the Republic of Korea (ROK) publicly announced their intention to establish a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan to support stabilization and reconstruction efforts. The Republic of Korea publicly offered this contribution in response to a letter from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan requesting, among other assistance, that the ROK provide a PRT. At their June 2009 Summit meeting, ROK President Lee affirmed to President Obama (a commitment reiterated by Foreign Minister Yu to Secretary Clinton in New York on September 21) Korea,s commitment to provide USD 100 million a year in assistance for the Afghan National Army for the years 2010 through 2014 (USD 500 million total),and to deploy a self-sufficient PRT in Afghanistan. The ROKG has not yet publicly announced its promised cash assistance. Provision of the proposed PRT (and as yet unannounced cash assistance),will require approval by the Korean National Assembly. ¶3. (C) ACTION REQUEST. The U.S. supports the ROKG intent to establish a PRT in an appropriate location, and understands the ROKG,s preference to establish its PRT in Parwan Province. U.S. officials should strongly emphasize that the ROKG must directly engage with NATO and ISAF as well as with the Afghan government to finalize the location of its planned PRT deployment, taking into consideration the specific requirements of the various provinces in Afghanistan and an assessment of the range of capabilities the ROK PRT will provide. The ROKG should also consult both ISAF and the GOA on the nature and scope of the PRT,s activities to ensure they support and coordinate with existing plans. Department notes existence of a U.S.-led PRT responsible for Parwan and urges Koreans to coordinate activities closely with PRT leadership at the Embassy and in the field as well. Department requests Embassy Seoul convey points in para 4 to appropriate Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) and Ministry of National Defense (MND) officials at the earliest opportunity. These points, as well as a sample letter stating the ROK,s interest in becoming a Non-NATO Troop Contributor to ISAF, may be left behind as a non-paper. ¶4. (C/REL ROK) BEGIN TALKING POINTS/NON-PAPER -- The U.S. government greatly appreciates the ongoing contributions of the Republic of Korea in Afghanistan. We particularly welcome your recent offer to take on the leadership of a Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) as well as the outstanding work your medical and vocational personnel have accomplished there. -- In order to take on the leadership of a PRT, the ROKG should transmit an official indication of its interest to contribute forces to ISAF by sending a letter to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the Secretary General (SYG) of NATO. -- The letter to the Secretary General, SACEUR, and Deputy SACEUR should express the ROKG interest in becoming an official troop contributor to ISAF. It should also state the intent to contribute a Provincial Reconstruction Team, the number of personnel, the preferred locations (flexible as possible is preferred) and any other essential details, such as special equipment or caveats. -- Upon receipt and certification of the request by NATO Military Authorities, the North Atlantic Council will officially approve the contribution. -- After delivery of the letter, we encourage the ROK Embassy in Brussels to also forward a copy to the U.S. Mission to NATO and the U.S. Military Delegation to NATO so that U.S. officials in Brussels may also engage with NATO Military Authorities in support of the ROKG location preference. We cannot advocate on behalf of the ROKG preferences, including on location, until the letter is delivered to NATO. -- Additionally, we strongly encourage ROKG to engage at both the civilian and military level in Afghanistan with appropriate Afghan officials and the Commander of ISAF and his staff on the details, including activities, programs, and possible locations of the proposed PRT. -- We have prepared a sample letter to the Secretary General, SACEUR, and Deputy SACEUR for your convenience. BEGIN SAMPLE LETTER Dear Secretary General Rasmussen (or Admiral Stavridis or General McColl): The Government of the Republic of Korea would like to become an official troop contributor to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) under NATO command in Afghanistan. The ROK proposes to contribute troops as part of a Provisional Reconstruction Team (PRT) located in Afghanistan. We look forward to discussions with ISAF and the Government of Afghanistan on the best location for this PRT. The armed forces of the Republic of Korea would contribute a total of XXX forces to ISAF to participate in the PRT. The PRT will conduct stabilization and reconstruction operations, XXX activities, and programs, and the forces assigned to the PRT will provide force protection for South Korean personnel and self-defense. The Government of the Republic of Korea looks forward to its troop deployment as part of the ISAF force. Sincerely, (insert name of official) CLINTON