RC-WEST CONFERENCE IN VILNIUS

UNCLAS VILNIUS 000635 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/SRAP AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND PDAS JONES STATE FOR EUR/NB, EUR/RPM, SCA/A E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AF LH MAPP MOPS NATO PREL EAID SUBJECT: RC-WEST CONFERENCE IN VILNIUS REF: VILNIUS 626 ¶1. (U) Action request -- see paragraph 3. ¶2. (U) The GOL will hold a Regional Command-West Conference in Vilnius December 8-9 to discuss strategy for PRTs in Western Afghanistan. We are working closely with U.S. delegation members and with MFA colleagues to ensure that the event will be a success. -------------- RC-West Delegation -------------- ¶3. (SBU) We request the Department's assistance to encourage RC-West PRT-leading countries Italy and Spain to send a robust and high-level delegation to the conference. Italy has not yet designated a delegation and Spain has identified three delegation representatives. The MFA provided us with the following list of RC-West participants as of November 25: United States of America Henry Ensher, Head of Delegation and Director of the Office of Afghanistan Affairs Brad Hanson, Senior Civilian Representative for RC West Hilda Grigorian, USAID Field Program Officer Ariella Viehe, Desk officer, SCA/A Raphael Carland (tentative),Desk Officer, EUR/RPM Chris Meade, Desk Officer, SCA/A Lt. Col. Chris Ireland, Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination Cell (PACC) Afghanistan Action Officer, Joint Staff LTC Rob Goley, PRT/ADT Branch Chief CENTCOM Tom Parker, Foreign Affairs Officer, Afghanistan Desk, Office of Secretary of Defense Ambassador Derse and PolOff will attend on behalf of the U.S. Embassy. NATO ISAF Jacob McFerren, POLAD (U.S.) Claudio Mora, DCOS STABILITY (ITA) Fridrik Jonsson, Deputy Director of Development (ISL) EUPOL Colin Aitkin, Chief Inspector Julia Krause, Detective Lieutenant Marieke Denissen, Planning Officer Spain Mrs. Vidal Teresa Orjales, Counselor, Spanish Delegation to NATO COL Ramiro Gimenez, Mountain Regiment Commander COL Narisco Cayetano, Chief of Crisis Branch, Defense Policy Directorate The Netherlands Dutch Ambassador to Lithuania Joep Wijnands -------------- Conference Format and Presentations -------------- ¶4. (U) MOD's Vice Minister Vytautas Umbrasas and MFA's Vice Minister Asta Skaisgiryte are scheduled to make opening remarks at the conference. The conference format will consist of five sessions: --Security Challenges: Regional Approach (moderated by Italy); --ISAF Operation: Towards Phase IV (moderated by Lithuania); --Support, Mentoring and Training of Afghan National Security Forces: The Way Ahead for the Region (moderated by the U.S.); --Enhancing Civilian Dimension and Civilian Activities in PRTs and RC(W) HQ (moderated by Spain); and --Capacity Building and Supporting Reconstruction and Development (moderated by Lithuania). Each session will include a lead presentation followed by brief (ten minute) remarks by participating countries and a Q and A period. The moderator will introduce speakers and guide the conversation. The GOL requested that delegations submit a paragraph summarizing planned remarks as soon as possible. In addition the GOL has offered to make time during the first session for a member of the U.S. delegation to present new developments in our Afghanistan policy including President Obama's decision on troop levels (if available by the time of the workshop). The GOL is circulating a proposal for a civilian-military cell in RC-West (sent by email to SCA/A and EUR/NB). GOL representatives will raise the idea during the conference. -------------- Conference Goals and Conclusions -------------- ¶5. (U) Ultimately, the GOL hopes that conference participants can establish strategic plans for deeper coordination within RC-West, more equitable balancing of RC-West resources, enhanced civilian participation and the long-term goal of transfer of PRT responsibilities to local authorities. The GOL will draft a paper to capture conference conclusions. DERSE