ENGAGING COALITION PARTNERS TO QUICKLY REVIEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 129187 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID UK NO SW GM HU CA NL LH FR SP IT NZ EZ PL, TU, AF SUBJECT: ENGAGING COALITION PARTNERS TO QUICKLY REVIEW DRAFT MOU ON LIFE, SECURITY AND MOBILITY SUPPORT REF: KABUL 3981 ¶1. (U) This is an action request (see paragraph 3). ¶2. (U) Begin Summary: Significant numbers of additional U.S. civilian personnel are now arriving in Afghanistan for deployment to all Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) as a critical element of our strategy. To facilitate timely deployment of U.S. civilians at Coalition PRTs, Embassy Kabul continues to press Coalition partners to conclude bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for the provision of Life, Security and Mobility Support to USG personnel at each country's facilities. More than 50 U.S. civilians live and work at Coalition-led locations; however, arrangements for their accommodation and support remain ad hoc and informal. The USG is in the process of significantly increasing the number of USG civilians at PRTs and other field locations, including those operated by Coalition partners. Assistant Chief of Mission Mussomeli recently presented draft MOUs to the ambassadors of Coalition partners which operate PRTs where the U.S. has or may seek to place civilians. Embassy Kabul is now trying to conclude MOUs with each Coalition partner to facilitate our increased civilian deployments, and has requested that posts in Coalition partner capitals engage with Foreign Ministry officials to stress the importance of quickly concluding these agreements. End Summary. ¶3. (U) The following posts are requested to deliver the following talking points to the officials in the host government Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the highest appropriate level to emphasize the importance of concluding the MOU: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Canada, the Netherlands, Lithuania, France, Spain, and Italy. Additionally, Embassy Wellington is requested to provide a copy of the draft MOU with New Zealand to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the MOU will be emailed separately. No action is required of the following posts in the following countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey. BEGIN TALKING POINTS: -- The U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is focused on building the capacity of Afghan institutions to withstand and diminish the threat posed by extremism. To achieve our shared goals in the security, development, and justice sectors, the U.S. is working to significantly increase the number of USG civilians at Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and other field locations, including those operated by our ISAF partners. -- Our Embassy in Kabul recently presented your government with a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the Provision of Life, Security, and Mobility Support to USG civilians stationed at facilities operated by your government in Afghanistan. -- The MOU, while not legally binding, would replace existing ad hoc arrangements with an agreed framework for the provision of support services to U.S. civilians located at PRTs or other facilities operated by your government. It would also provide a framework for USG reimbursement to your government for those services, where applicable. -- We understand that careful review of the MOU is required, but we urge your government to conclude the MOU as quickly as possible. -- We will be happy to relay any questions or concerns that you may have back to Embassy Kabul. STATE 00129187 002 OF 002 ¶4. (U) Points of contact: Embassy Kabul: Patricia McNerney, Reporting Coordinator, Office of Interagency Provincial Affairs, IVG: 599-8807; Afghanistan Desk: Brad Parker, Desk Officer, 202-647-5986. CLINTON