RFG: NATO I.S. REFORM GUIDANCE NEEDED BY JUNE 11

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000249 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/08/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL SUBJECT: RFG: NATO I.S. REFORM GUIDANCE NEEDED BY JUNE 11 REF: SG(2009)0072 Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder for reasons 1.4(B)&(D). ¶1. (SBU) Action Request: Please see para 5 for guidance request; response needed by noon Brussels time on Thursday, June 11. ¶2. (C/NF) NATO's Secretary General told PermReps at today's informal lunch that he intended to press Defense Ministers to approve changes in the allocation of senior International Staff (I.S.) positions (ref, e-mailed to RPM June 4) at the June 11-12 Ministerial. ¶3. (C/NF) The U.S. has always been among the strongest proponents of NATO reform. Reform is needed now more than ever as the Alliance faces unprecedented operational requirements and new security threats. This particular reform, however, could cost us some senior level I.S. positions, including Director of the NATO Office of Security. The U.S. is relatively well represented at the senior levels, which would be subject to new rotations under the reform, but is woefully under-represented at lower policy levels, which are not subject to this reform. ¶4. (C/NF) On balance, Mission believes that we need to find a way to support the SecGen's proposal, but we should try to get something in return. The espoused goal of the reform is to improve rotational opportunities among Allies for these senior positions. If we are to support this reform, we should demand changes at the lower levels of the I.S., e.g., more staffing flexibility via changes in NATO's policy on indefinite contracts. In any event, we will need to aggressively pursue these key I.S. positions to maintain our edge at the senior levels. ¶5. (C/NF) Request for guidance: Unless otherwise directed by noon June 11, Mission will respond citing the general principle presented in paras 3-4 if pressed by SecGen on this reform. We will urge SecDef to take the same position, if asked. Mission would appreciate it if the Intelligence Community could be thoroughly consulted on this issue. DAALDER