ESTONIA CONCLUDES IRAQ MILITARY MISSION BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TALLINN 000027 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB BOB GILCHRIST E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2018 TAGS: PARM MARR MOPS PREL PGOV IZ EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA CONCLUDES IRAQ MILITARY MISSION BUT REMAINS A COMMITTED ALLY REF TALLINN: 2008 367 TALLINN: 2008 402 Classified by: CDA KAREN DECKER for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On January 22 the Government of Estonia (GOE) announced publicly its decision to end its participation in coalition operations in Iraq, bringing to a close five years of cooperation with the U.S. on the ground near Baghdad. The reason: the GOE --after repeated effort and strong support from U.S. Embassy Baghdad -- could not reach agreement with the Government of Iraq (GOI) on the legal status of Estonian forces. Estonia will continue to participate in the NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I). The Ministry of Defense is now reviewing options for post-Iraq operations, prioritizing missions where Estonian forces could work directly with the United States. One strong possibility is that Estonia will plus- up its presence in Afghanistan where currently 140 troops participate in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Government of Estonia meets formally in a Cabinet session every Thursday. At the January 22 meeting, Defense Minister Aaviksoo stated that Estonia was concluding its mission in Iraq. He cited (1) improved security conditions in Iraq; (2) the inability of GOE and GOI negotiators to reach agreement on the legal status of Estonian troops; and (3) GOI interest in moving to non- combat defense cooperation as reasons for conclusion of the mission. Immediately following the meeting, Foreign Minister Paet announced the decision during a GOE press conference. In his public comments, FM Paet emphasized that in addition to helping stabilize Iraq, the mission had increased Estonia's international political capital and provided the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) 'invaluable' experience in working with the U.S. military. ¶3. (C) Estonian troops have served in Iraq since 2003, conducting counterinsurgency operations in the Saba Al Boor area (near Baghdad) with U.S forces. Two Estonian soldiers were killed and approximately 20 wounded over the course of 5 years. Estonia was proud to be asked to continue to serve in the coalition in November 2008 when most other partners were beginning to draw down. With strong support from Government coalition members, the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) approved in December an extension of Estonian troops in Iraq until the end of 2009 -- contingent on reaching agreement with Iraq on the legal status of Estonian troops (after the UNSCR expired on December 31, 2008.) MOD and MFA contacts told us on multiple occasions that Estonia needed an agreement "on par" with the terms of the U.S. Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq. ¶4. (C) In reflecting on the failure of the negotiations with the GOI, Mati Raidma, Chairman of the Parliament's National Defense Committee, commented that the decision to end the mission was not a surprise, but an outcome of the negotiation process. MFA Deputy Secretary General Harri Tiido told diplomats January 22 that legislative limitations on both sides made reaching an agreement 'almost impossible.' Tiido also noted that although Australia and the UK had been able to conclude agreements with Iraq, their terms did not meet Estonian legislative requirements. ¶5. (C) This does not mean the end of the Estonian presence in Iraq. Estonia will continue to staff the NTM-I (three officers) and will identify other non-combat engagement opportunities. Minister of Defense Aaviksoo is planning to travel to Iraq in February to hold a ceremony honoring the service of Estonian soldiers in Iraq and discuss avenues for future GOE-GOI cooperation. ¶6. (C) The Ministry of Defense is also currently reviewing post-Iraq deployment options. Our contacts at MOD, MFA and the Prime Minister's office repeatedly emphasize GOE interest in identifying missions where Estonian soldiers can again work directly with U.S. forces. The GOE places a premium on the experience its soldiers gained as tactical partners of U.S. troops. FM Paet commented that serving with U.S. Forces in Iraq significantly boosted Estonia's political capital and was a valuable investment in Estonia's security. Local media commented that Estonia's performance in Iraq demonstrated its capacity as a reliable and valuable ally. To this end, Post is in close consultation with the Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense on ways Estonia can continue this TALLINN 00000027 002 OF 002 kind of engagement. Several GOE officials have suggested that troops slated for participation in Iraq could be diverted to Afghanistan. ¶7. (C) Despite the withdrawal from Iraq, it is clear Estonia remains a committed partner in international peace, security and democracy operations. Afghanistan is Estonia's top security and development assistance priority. In late 2008, the Parliament approved extension of Estonian operations in Afghanistan, increasing the authorized mission from 150 to 170 soldiers. MOD/EDF planners have been discussing the possibility of sending HUMINT assets to Afghanistan or supporting a U.S.-led Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT). Senior GOE officials have stated publicly that the end of the Iraq mission is likely to result in further increases to Estonia's presence in Afghanistan. DECKER