EUPOL COPPS LOOKING FOR EXPANSION AND GREATER USSC

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 USEU BRUSSELS 001681 NOFORN SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (GARBLED TEXT) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2024 TAGS: KPMI WE EUN PREL PINS XF WBG SUBJECT: EUPOL COPPS LOOKING FOR EXPANSION AND GREATER USSC COORDINATION REF: USEU BRUSSELS 401 BRUSSELS 00001681 001.3 OF 002 Classified By: USEU Political Minister Counselor Christopher ¶R. Davis for reason 1.4b/d ¶1. (S/NF) Summary: The EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) implements police training and mentoring programs and serves as a clearing house for EU Member States, bilateral financial contributions to the Palestinian police. Begun in early 2006 as a 33-person financial clearinghouse, the mission now comprises 53 personnel and may soon expand to 90. Along with EU Member States, Canada and Norway contribute to the mission, and Turkey has offered to contribute personnel (Reftel). While EU officials say the mission already enjoys close cooperation with the U.S. Security Coordinator, they are keen to deepen the official liaison relationship, particularly in the planning stages. Our EU interlocutors also seek a more cooperative relationship with the Palestinians, who they say often treat the EU as a &payer, not a player.8 EU officials said they are in the early stages of discussing a potential EU role in security force capacity building in case of a final settlement. End Summary. Growing Since 2006 ¶2. (SBU) During a meeting with PolOffs on December 10, EUPOL COPPS Political Advisor Thomas Wiersing and Desk Officer William De Meyer said EUPOL COPPS began with 33 persons as a financial clearing house for Member States, contributions to the Palestinian police forces. While it still performs this function, funneling contributions through UN apparatuses for implementation, the now 53-member mission is also working to provide direct support to the Palestinian Authority, particularly in the rule of law sector. The mission, under the direction of Head of Mission Paul Kernaghan (whom we heard separately will be leaving the job), is focused specifically on developing the Palestinian civilian police and law enforcement capacity--including most recently Palestinian fire fighters)--and providing advice and mentoring to senior officials. EUPOL COPPS is working to expand its involvement at the district level in the West Bank, and now has nine advisors deployed in 11 Palestinian districts, Wiersing and De Meyer said. Participation By Non-EU NATO Allies ¶3. (C) As EUPOL COPPS expanded, the EU attracted contributions from non-EU NATO Allies Norway and Canada. Norway contributes one officer. Wiersing and De Meyer said Canada has taken on a more prominent role, providing two officers and working with the EU to establish, fund, and provide strategic counsel for the Jericho Police Training Center. Turkey is also keen to contribute (Reftel); however, Wiersing and De Meyer said Turkish personnel had not yet been accepted into the mission. While EUPOL COPPS lacks a concrete agreement with the U.S. Security Coordinator for Palestine (USSC),our interlocutors said they see coordination on the ground as generally strong. Expansion Plans Create Need For Greater Bilateral Coordination With U.S. ¶4. (SBU) Wiersing and De Meyer said the EU is considering expanding the mission to 90 officers and revamping its mandate. (A European Commission official told us separately that Working Group discussions have already begun to provide the formal EU Council authorization for the increase.) De Meyer said the EU is working with Palestinian Authorities to develop a strategic plan for Palestinian police, which will then serve as a guide for future EUPOL COPPS actions. De Meyer described three priorities for the expanded mission: create better internal synergies among the various parts of EUPOL COPPS; establish a closer relationship with the USSC, potentially though a liaison officer; and develop a closer relationship with the Palestinians, who treat the EU's often as a "payer, not a player." EU Considers Support For Final Settlement ¶5. (S/NF) Wiersing and De Meyer also said that EU officials are in the early stages of considering the role the EU could play in the case of a final settlement, in the context of what the EU refers to as "Deposits." Wiersing and De Meyer said that the EU would not likely be willing to man the Israeli-Palestinian border, which they said should probably be monitored by a multinational coalition. Instead, the EU would probably focus, in the security sphere, on BRUSSELS 00001681 002.3 OF 002 security force capacity building, beyond the level currently envisioned by EUPOL COPPS. De Meyer cautioned that this internal EU discussion is in its infancy, and these ideas have not been discussed with all 27 Member States. ¶6. (S/NF) Meeting with the U.S. Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization, Ambassador Herbst, on December 16, the Deputy EU Civilian Operations Commander Matthew Reece said a small group of EU Member States -- France, the UK, Spain, Sweden, and Germany -- had begun discussing the European security role in "Deposits." Reece said it was not yet clear whether any European "deposit" would be implemented by the EU or separately. However, Reece said this small group had called upon EU planners to help consider how Europe could contribute to a final settlementin the security sphere. KENNARD .