NATO SUPPORT TO INTERNATIONAL NON-PROLIFERATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 086825 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: NATO PARM PGOV PREL PSI PTER KNNP SUBJECT: NATO SUPPORT TO INTERNATIONAL NON-PROLIFERATION EFFORTS: FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT PAPER REF: NATO DOCUMENT: C-M(2009)0048(INV) SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request, see para 3. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (SBU) At the recent NATO Summit in Strasbourg-Kehl, Allies adopted a "Comprehensive Strategic-level NATO Policy for Preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Proliferation and Defending Against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Threats." Ref document (para 6) called for, inter alia, the establishment of a NATO Trust Fund (or similar mechanism) to contribute to international non-proliferation efforts. The USG is currently assessing the possibility of finding funding and/or in-kind contribution (personnel, equipment) sources to help catalyze the NATO WMD Trust Fund's establishment. ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Washington requests that USNATO seek co-sponsors, circulate the para 4 paper, and provide a copy of the paper to working-level contacts on the NATO IS/IMS. FFT paper could be debuted at a NAC coffee or similar meeting. Washington appreciates USNATO assistance in getting Brussels-based discussion on the Trust Fund jump-started. USG FOOD-FOR-THOUGHT PAPER -------------- ¶4. (SBU/REL NATO) Text of FFT paper follows: Establishing a NATO Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Trust Fund NATO,s Comprehensive, Strategic-Level WMD Policy called for the establishment of a Trust Fund (or similar mechanism) dedicated to providing practical support for international non-proliferation efforts. The objective of this paper is to highlight how NATO can contribute to international non-proliferation capacity-building efforts through regular consultations, outreach, and training events, as well as other programmatic activities -- through the establishment of a NATO WMD Trust Fund. The Alliance should also consider establishing a task force -- possibly led by the Deputy Assistant Security General for WMD Policy, in close collaboration with other NATO IS/IMS entities, committees and NATO military authorities -- to implement and oversee the Trust Fund,s operation. As a contribution to the United Nations Counterterrorism Strategy, the NATO WMD Trust Fund would support activities that help promote broad implementation of non-proliferation objectives by Allies, NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (Med-D),Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and Contact Countries. In order to provide value-added benefit and avoid duplication, NATO,s efforts in this area should complement bilateral, multilateral, and multinational efforts, such as the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI),the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT),and the United Nation,s 1540 Committee efforts. We recommend that the North Atlantic Council (NAC) task the Senior Politico-Military Group on Proliferation (SGP) and the Senior Defense Group on Proliferation (DGP) to identify appropriate activities to be funded based on the following guidelines, and to prepare draft text for a NAC decision establishing a WMD Trust Fund. -- Exchange Information. NATO should exchange information among Allies and with partners regarding individual and collective actions to prevent WMD proliferation in an effort to lead by example and encourage greater international contributions to this goal. Information exchange could be accomplished through seminars, outreach programs, public diplomacy campaigns, and similar efforts. -- Build Capacity. NATO should play a vital, value-added role in building capacity among Allies and partners to prevent the proliferation of WMD by sharing lessons learned, tactics, techniques, concepts of operation, training and other technical assistance on topics such as border security, STATE 00086825 002 OF 002 bio-security/disease surveillance, maritime operations aimed at preventing WMD proliferation, protecting critical infrastructure, and securing/reducing WMD stockpiles. Technical assistance areas could include, inter alia: - Developing and conducting training courses, exercises and technical workshops; - Supporting country visits to assist PfP, Med-D, ICI, and Contact Countries to develop discrete non-proliferation projects; - Exchanging information on research, development (R&D) and science and technology (S&T) trends to encourage investments in technologies that will improve operational capabilities to prevent WMD proliferation; and - Developing a NATO best practices non-proliferation database, and establishing a WMD Point of Contact network to work with partner countries and appropriate international, regional, and sub-regional bodies. -- Considerations. Activities could be implemented within NATO venues, academic and training institutions; through NATO or Allied-sponsored mobile training teams; or in joint cooperation with partner organizations or entities, such as the IAEA, UNODC, OSCE, OPCW, INTERPOL, GICNT, etc. NATO should consider hiring temporary staff, and/or consultants on a case-by-case basis, to facilitate and implement activities. -- Note. The UN 1540 Committee's July 2008 report noted that regional efforts to complement UN activities are important, and UNSCR 1810 welcomes regional organizations, UNSCR 1540 implementation support. End note, and end FFT paper. NEXT STEPS -------------- ¶5. (SBU) USNATO presents FFT, indicating that the USG is looking for U.S. funds and staff to help get the Trust Fund off-the-ground. USG examines potential of providing initial donation of approximately $500K in FY 2010 funds to seed the initiative. North Atlantic Council (NAC) discusses paper at a weekly coffee meeting, sends the FFT to the SGP and DGP to further develop the concept and forward a WMD Trust Fund decision for NAC approval. Senior Resource Board (SRB), consistent with NATO,s Financial Regulations and Rules, develops Trust Fund,s financial and oversight mechanics. Trust Fund should remain open to contributions (financial or in-kind donations) from all Allies and NATO-affiliated countries (PfP, Med-D/ICI, Contact Countries). NAC approves and establishes the WMD Trust Fund. USG makes an initial financial contribution, and examines the possibility of providing in-kind (staff, equipment) donation. CLINTON