RESPONSE TO RFG ON KEEPING DUTCH IN SOUTHERN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 124188 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/03/2019 TAGS: AF MARR MOPS NATO SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO RFG ON KEEPING DUTCH IN SOUTHERN AFGANISTAN REF: USNATO 563 Classified By: PDAS Nancy McElDowney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) This cable is in response to reftel request for guidance, see para 2. ¶2. (C) Post should draw from the below points in responding to the Dutch demarche received by USNATO on December 2. -- The Dutch military mission in Southern Afghanistan is playing a vital role in our international efforts. We strongly encourage you to continue with the current mandate. -- We are not in a position to answer hypothetical questions on how the U.S. and other Allies and partners will reorganize if the Government of the Netherlands decides to change its military mission. ¶3. (C) Background: Per specific questions in reftel: -- There are currently NO plans for the U.S. to assume lead nation responsibility in Uruzgan province. -- Protection for the remaining Dutch civilian PRT elements, should that be necessary in the event of a Dutch withdrawal of military forces, will be addressed by ISAF at the appropriate time. -- The question of what role the Dutch military could play outside of Uruzgan should be answered by ISAF. CLINTON