S/CRS AMB HERBST PITCHES RECONSTRUCTION AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000086

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID OSCE PREL
SUBJECT: S/CRS AMB HERBST PITCHES RECONSTRUCTION AND
STABILIZATION TO OSCE STATES


1. Summary: S/CRS Ambassador Herbst visited OSCE March 16
to explain evolving U.S. concepts and capabilities in
reconstruction and stabilization (R&S) efforts for failed or
failing states and to explore how OSCE's experience and
regional role could facilitate the development of
international partnerships. Reactions from other
participating States (pS) ranged from the applicability of
OSCE's work to global R&S efforts to how those global efforts
might in turn revitalize the OSCE, particularly the Field
Missions. At a later meeting with the OSCE Secretary
General, Ambassador Herbst discussed the possibility of
short-term secondments of Civilian Reserve Corps members to
OSCE Field Missions, particularly in law enforcement and rule
of law, and of OSCE mission members taking S/CRS training
courses. End Summary.


2. (SBU) In his presentation to the Security Committee,
Ambassador Herbst outlined the role of S/CRS, including its
antecedents and current build up. He explained how the
Civilian Reserve Corps (CRC) would operate and how it would
partner with the military working in failed or failing
states. He also described the initial international
partnership S/CRS had established bilaterally and
multilaterally, particularly with the UN and EU. In response
to questions from pS Delegations, Ambassador Herbst said that
the OSCE's experience and continuing mandate in many
operational areas of reconstruction and stabilization (R&S)
made it a natural partner l to S/CRS. In response to a
question on the priority the U.S. places on development
assistance to Afghanistan, Ambassador Herbst replied that was
a key element for the civilian component of U.S. engagement
there, and he expected even more emphasis on it in the near
future. The Russian delegation asked whether S/CRS was
prepared to integrate its work into established UN and other
multilateral peacebuilding efforts. Ambassador Herbst
envisioned the CRC establishing procedures to make members
available alongside and through the UN and regional
organizations for peacekeeping, stability, and peacebuilding
operations.

3. (SBU) Further discussions with key delegations over lunch
added greater context to the role the OSCE could play in the
emerging R&S field. Ambassador Herbst confirmed that
S/CRS's mandate extended to sub-national ungoverned spaces,
such as the sites of the OSCE's protracted conflicts, but
emphasized any R&S work had to be as a result of a political
resolution or understanding that, in the case of South
Ossetia remained elusive. The British Ambassador stressed
the role of the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre and said
that for any R&S efforts in the OSCE area it would be
important to coordinate resources and priorities. The
Hungarian Ambassador, chair of the Security Committee,
commented on the importance of feeding R&S efforts into
larger international efforts to build usable capacity in this
important area. The Ambassador from Japan, an OSCE partner
and former Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, stressed
the value of the OSCE's comprehensive approach to
stabilization and security, as well as its emphasis on
promoting the rule of law. Several others emphasized the
lessons the OSCE has learned about the importance of
providing the right equipment to stabilization efforts. All
agreed this was an area in which the OSCE could help shape
the contours of a workable international partnership.

4. (SBU) At a roundtable discussion hosted by the OSCE
Secretariat, Paul Fritch, Senior Adviser to the Secretary
General (and an FSO on loan to the OSCE) noted that OSCE
Field Missions provided tailor-made templates for
multinational R&S partnerships. He cited work the Missions
undertake in counterterrorism, rule of law, border security
and advocating for human rights and tolerance. Field
Missions also present, he said, a flexible project
development framework for ongoing and longer-term assistance
along with a methodology for working through and alongside
NGOs and the private sector. Other comments touched upon
work the OSCE was doing to coordinate and standardize the
training of police and to prevent trafficking in drugs,
people , and arms. Once the Civilian Reserve Corps had been
more developed, Ambassador Herbst said S/CRS might be
interested in detailing staff to OSCE Field Missions, and
offer advice in potentially improving the R&S aspects of the
Missions; joint training was another possibility.

5. (SBU) At a subsequent meeting, OSCE Secretary General
(SG) de Brichambaut stressed the unique contributions OSCE
makes in democratizing police forces and providing election
assistance and monitoring. The Field Missions, he said, were
heavily dependent on the goodwill of the host governments and
certain countries, Uzbekistan for example, placed tight
restrictions on what functions the Mission could perform.
The SG asked for more U.S. secondees to OSCE Field Missions
and Ambassador Herbst again said he could eventually envision
sending several CRC members to gain field experience. Both

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agreed that the OSCE's work in police training and
anti-trafficking had genuine applicability to S/CRS's
evolving capabilities and priorities. As S/CRS capabilities
start to grow, Ambassador Herbst said he could envision
significant potential for collaboration with the OSCE. The
SG welcomed the chance for further, more in-depth dialogue
with S/CRS which could among other things allow for a
thorough sharing and better institutionalization of lessons
learned.

6. (SBU) COMMENT: Ambassador Herbst's presentation and
discussions succeeded in getting OSCE pS delegations and
institutions to reframe the organization's track record of
promoting democratic governance and stability within the
context of evolving thinking on an appropriate international
response to the security threat of failed or failing states.
Yet many in Vienna will be looking for additional substance
on how the OSCE can be a guide for developing practical
international partnerships in R&S. It will be essential for
us to follow up with concrete ideas and activities. The June
23-24 Annual Security Review Conference presents an early
target of opportunity for fleshing out our ideas: Working
Session 3 focuses on conflict prevention, crisis management
and post-conflict rehabilitation. END COMMENT
SCOTT