NATO SYG PRESSES HUNGARY AND ROMANIA FOR MORE ISAF

S E C R E T USNATO 000534 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2019 TAGS: MOPS PREL MARR MASS NATO AF HU RO SP SUBJECT: NATO SYG PRESSES HUNGARY AND ROMANIA FOR MORE ISAF TROOPS Classified By: CDA John Heffern. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: The U.S. Deputy Director of the Secretary General's Private Office Jeff Rathke (strictly protect) told us that Secretary General Rasmussen pressed Hungary and Romania on November 19 for additional troops for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Hungary said it would consider Rasmussen's request for 500 additional troops, but noted that finances would be a problem. Romanian President Basescu said that the most he thought Romania could send at this time would be 200 troops, not the 700 requested. He also said that he would look to the U.S. for assistance on equipment and training for troops, something he said would be important for any additional deployment. Basescu noted that upcoming Romanian elections would also have to be factored in to decisions on when Romania could announce an additional troop contribution. Rasmussen had also been planning to meet with Spanish President Zapatero on the 19th, but the Spanish cancelled. END SUMMARY Hungary: Will Consider, but Finances a Problem -------------- - ¶3. (S/NF) Rathke told us that in meetings with Hungarian leaders (PM, FM, CHOD, and MoD State Secretary) in Budapest, Rasmussen reported that the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) military authorities thought Hungary could provide an additional 500 troops. Rasmussen urged Hungary to consider doing so. ¶4. (S/NF) According to Rathke, the Hungarians said that they would look into the issue, while noting that financing could be a problem. Romania: Need Equipment/Training, Elections to be Factored In -------------- -------------- ¶5. (S/NF) Rathke also told us that during a meeting later in the day in Brussels, Rasmussen urged Romanian President Basescu to contribute the 700 troops SHAPE had assessed were available. According to Rathke, Basescu noted that this was the number that had recently been withdrawn from Iraq, adding that the most he thought Romania could send now would be 200 troops. ¶6. (S/NF) Basescu said that decisions on any additional deployment, however, were dependent on the quality of the equipment available for the troops. He said that he would ask Washington whether it might be able to assist in this matter, adding that he would also be looking for U.S. training for the Romanian troops. ¶7. (S/NF) Basescu pointed out that Romania had elections scheduled for November 22 and December 6, noting that any Romanian announcement would have to factor in those dates. While saying he understood the domestic political logic, Rasmussen noted the need for a coordination of Alliance announcements in order to show a united Alliance. ¶8. (S/NF) COMMENT: In addition to considering the forthcoming requests for assistance from Romania in support of an additional deployment, Washington may wish to consider whether there are things it might be able to do to mitigate Budapest's financial concerns. HEFFERN