HMG AGREES ON NEED FOR ISAF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ANSF

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 000391

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE, EUR/RPM RCARLAND AND ACOPE, SCA/A ARUSH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2030
TAGS: MASS PREL NATO MOPS PGOV AF UK
SUBJECT: HMG AGREES ON NEED FOR ISAF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ANSF
TRAINERS -- BUT OFFERS NO NEW COMMITMENTS

REF: SECSTATE 14366

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Richard LeBaron
for reasons 1.4 a, b, and d


1. (C/NF) Summary. HMG agrees on the urgent need to fill
the shortage of ISAF trainers and mentors for the Afghan
National Security Forces and has encouraged allies to help
fill the shortfall, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
officials told Poloff February 19 (reftel). FCO officials did
not confirm any new UK commitments to help fill the
shortfall, but noted that their statements to Poloff were an
initial, "informal" discussion of the shortfall issue. One
official stressed that "decision making on new commitments
will become more difficult as we move toward" the spring UK
general election, also noting that major "financial
constraints" would considerably influence any decision
regarding the deployment of additional personnel to
Afghanistan. End Summary.



2. (C/NF) HMG agrees that ISAF faces an urgent shortage of
trainers and mentors and HMG is in "constant communication"
with allies to encourage them to help fill the shortfall,
Sara Everett (PROTECT),the Deputy Head of the Afghanistan
Group at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO),told
Poloff February 19 (reftel). "We support your objectives
regarding the need for trainers and we've tried to maximize
our resources" in Afghanistan, Everett continued. She noted
that the UK deployed an additional 500 troops to Afghanistan
late last year and that those troops were engaged in training
efforts. "Decision making on new commitments will become
more difficult as we move toward" the spring UK general
election (exact date TBD),she said. Everett added that
HMG's major "financial constraints" would considerably
influence any decision regarding the deployment of additional
personnel to Afghanistan. Everett stressed that political
and financial considerations are important factors, but she
stressed that she did not seek to imply that the HMG would
rule out more trainers and mentors to Afghanistan. She also
stated that the results of Operation Moshtarak will affect
the number of personnel who will be available to train; HMG
will reassess "where and how many" personnel should be
deployed after the conclusion of the operation.


3. (C/NF) Kenny Taylor (PROTECT),a Political Military Desk
Officer in the FCO's Afghanistan Group, who participated in
the meeting with Everett, stated that HMG "completely" agrees
regarding the need for increased training of the Afghan
National Security Forces (ANSF). "Addressing shortfalls of
NTM-A is critical, and a focus of our own burden sharing
lobbying," he stressed. Taylor said he did "not envision a
major uplift" of British trainers or mentors, although he
noted that the UK might fill a few senior staff positions.
Sarah Gravenstede (PROTECT),a Desk Officer on the FCO's Rule
of Law Team in the Afghan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit, who
participated in the meeting with Everett, noted that the EU
Police Mission's (EUPOL) shortfalls are also a priority
concern, noting that approximately 32 UK civilian police
officers are serving in Afghanistan. She also stated,
without providing further details, that the UK might beef up
its Police Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (POMLT)
presence in Afghanistan. (The UK currently has six teams
deployed.)


4. (C/NF) Everett asked Poloff to consider her statements and
the statements of her colleagues as an initial, "informal"
response to our points regarding ISAF's shortage of trainers
and mentors (reftel). She promised a "formal" response would
be forthcoming.

Comment
--------------


5. (C/NF) There is a strong sense within HMG and the
Conservative opposition that other allies need to do more in
Afghanistan; HMG will be watching closely to see what other
allies do to help fill the trainer and mentor shortfall. Our
interlocutors repeatedly remind us that HMG is in a dire
financial situation and that budget woes impact every major,
and many minor, decisions -- and that many decisions may have
to wait until after this spring's general election. On the
other hand, a critical element of UK policy is to turn over
responsibility to Afghan forces, so they recognize a clear
interest in supporting the process.

Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom

SUSMAN