NATO SYG PROPOSES REGULAR CONSULTATIONS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000497

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2019
TAGS: NATO MOPS MARR PREL PARM RU AF
SUBJECT: NATO SYG PROPOSES REGULAR CONSULTATIONS WITH
AMBASSADOR DURING NOVEMBER 3 BREAKFAST MEETING

REF: USNATO 0495

Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder for reasons 1.4(b),(d)


1. (C) Summary. NATO Secretary General Rasmussen hosted
Ambassador Daalder for breakfast November 3 to discuss
Alliance issues and improving coordination with the PermReps.
Rasmussen was particularly interested in coordinating
closely with the US and suggested regular one-on-one meetings
with the Ambassador. Raising NATO's political profile is a
top priority, he said, which was why he focuses so much on
his public diplomacy role. Ambassador encouraged him to work
closely with the PermReps, who also want to boost the
Alliance's profile and are his best allies in capitals. SYG
also raised Afghanistan, Missile Defense, Russia, the
December Foreign Ministers' meeting, the Washington Strategic
Concept seminar and NATO reform. The two also discussed
Germany's proposal to remove US nuclear weapons from Europe
(septel). End summary.


2. (C) In a November 3 breakfast meeting, SYG Rasmussen
emphasized to the Ambassador his commitment to work with the
PermReps to raise NATO's political profile. The US would
play a particularly important role in this, he said, adding
he hoped to have regular one-on-one meetings with the
Ambassador to discuss key issues. The Ambassador welcomed
the SYG's initiative, agreeing that good communication was
essential. All 28 allies share the SYG's goal of boosting
NATO's political profile and effectiveness, he said; the
PermReps can serve as useful partners in the SYG's efforts.
NATO needed to stay focused on issues where the Alliance has
a role to play, the Ambassador noted. The best way to make
NATO more effective and raise its profile is to focus on how
the Alliance better perform its core functions -- deploying
military forces and preparing to meet future contingencies.

AFGHANISTAN
--------------

3. (C) SYG Rasmussen and the Ambassador agreed to use the
time prior to a USG announcement on ISAF contributions for
consultations with allies. Exploring what allies are in a
position to contribute may help shape the USG resourcing
decision and could be useful preparation for the November
23-24 Force Generation Conference. In addition to the NAC,
bilateral consultations were needed with allies who may be
able to make sizeable troop contributions (France, Germany,
Italy, UK, Turkey),as well as with Canada and the
Netherlands who have announced troop withdrawals. The SYG's
personal efforts to encourage these countries to step up
would also be important. On the concept of a Senior Civilian
counterpart to General McChrystal, Rasmussen reported his
staff is exploring primarily two options: creating a position
similar to the Kosovo UNMIK High Representative and an option
that would strengthen UNAMA.

MISSILE DEFENSE
--------------

4. (C) Rasmussen stressed that he wants to work with the US
on Missile Defense, including getting NATO Foreign Ministers
to agree to the Defense Secretary's four points (i.e.,
welcoming the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA),affirming
territorial MD as an appropriate NATO mission, recognizing
PAA as a US NATIONAL contribution to that mission, and noting
that expanding ALTBMD to assume a territorial MD role would
be key to the success of that mission) at the December
Foreign Ministers meeting, with final decisions at the 2010
Lisbon summit. A fifth point, on potential MD cooperation
with Russia, might also be added. Ambassador noted that a
number of allies -- Spain, UK, France -- had put markers down
in various meetings and he suggested that they coordinate
diplomatic efforts to get them on board by December.

JOINT THREAT REVIEW
--------------

5. (C) The SYG told the Ambassador he aimed to agree on a
tasking by the NATO-Russia COUNCIL (NRC) Foreign Ministers
meeting in December to conduct the Joint Review of SECURITY
Challenges. He intent was a short tasking focused on
Afghanistan, terrorism, Missile Defense, proliferation, arms
control, piracy and energy security. The tasking would need
to complete the Review in December 2010, after the NATO
Summit and the completion of the Strategic Concept.

DECEMBER FM MEETING
--------------

6. (C) Rasmussen wants the December 3-4 Foreign Ministers

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meeting in Brussels to include a NATO-Georgia meeting, a
NATO-Ukraine meeting, an NRC meeting, an ISAF meeting (at 43)
and a NAC discussion of the Balkans, the Strategic Concept,
Missile Defense and Russia. He intends to start the meeting
in the morning on December 3 and end by lunch on December 4
(reftel).

NATO REFORM
--------------

7. (C) The Ambassador said the US would like to work closely
with Rasmussen on NATO reform -- a critical issue for the
USG. NATO's ability to take action would be essential to any
effort to raise the Alliance's profile and credibility. A
top-down review of NATO's committee structure would be a good
starting point, he added. Rasmussen suggested a
brainstorming session that he and the Ambassador and key
members of their staffs could convene to examine NATO reform
ideas in greater depth.

WASHINGTON SEMINAR DATES
--------------

8. (C) Rasmussen proposed holding the Washington Strategic
Concept seminar February 22-23, to avoid scheduling conflicts
with the current February 16-18 dates. He noted he would
have to depart the evening of February 23 in order to attend
the February 24 EU Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels.

COMMENT
--------------

9. (C) Rasmussen's offer to consult more often and more
closely with PermReps, particularly the US, is a welcome
overture. His acknowledgement of the importance of working
constructively with NATO ambassadors to raise the Alliance's
political profile and effectiveness bodes well for our
ability to make meaningful progress on NATO issues.
HEFFERN