Cablegate: Engaging Coalition Partners to Quickly Review

VZCZCXRO9571
PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHC #9187/01 3512202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 172200Z DEC 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 1253
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 5378
RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 8337
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 3451
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0786
RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE PRIORITY 1529
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 8736
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 3043
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0787
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY 5634
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 7274
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 3484
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 7693
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 9267
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8431
INFO AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 129187

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV EAID UK NO SW GM HU CA NL LH FR SP IT NZ EZ
PL, TU, AF
SUBJECT: ENGAGING COALITION PARTNERS TO QUICKLY REVIEW
DRAFT MOU ON LIFE, SECURITY AND MOBILITY SUPPORT

REF: KABUL 3981

1. (U) This is an action request (see paragraph 3).

2. (U) Begin Summary: Significant numbers of additional U.S.
civilian personnel are now arriving in Afghanistan for
deployment to all Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) as a
critical element of our strategy. To facilitate timely
deployment of U.S. civilians at Coalition PRTs, Embassy Kabul
continues to press Coalition partners to conclude bilateral
Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) for the provision of Life,
Security and Mobility Support to USG personnel at each
country's facilities. More than 50 U.S. civilians live and
work at Coalition-led locations; however, arrangements for
their accommodation and support remain ad hoc and informal.
The USG is in the process of significantly increasing the
number of USG civilians at PRTs and other field locations,
including those operated by Coalition partners. Assistant
Chief of Mission Mussomeli recently presented draft MOUs to
the ambassadors of Coalition partners which operate PRTs
where the U.S. has or may seek to place civilians. Embassy
Kabul is now trying to conclude MOUs with each Coalition
partner to facilitate our increased civilian deployments, and
has requested that posts in Coalition partner capitals engage
with Foreign Ministry officials to stress the importance of
quickly concluding these agreements. End Summary.

3. (U) The following posts are requested to deliver the
following talking points to the officials in the host
government Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the highest
appropriate level to emphasize the importance of concluding
the MOU: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Canada, the
Netherlands, Lithuania, France, Spain, and Italy.
Additionally, Embassy Wellington is requested to provide a
copy of the draft MOU with New Zealand to the New Zealand
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the MOU will be
emailed separately. No action is required of the following
posts in the following countries: Czech Republic, Poland,
Turkey.

BEGIN TALKING POINTS:

-- The U.S. strategy in Afghanistan is focused on building
the capacity of Afghan institutions to withstand and diminish
the threat posed by extremism. To achieve our shared goals
in the security, development, and justice sectors, the U.S.
is working to significantly increase the number of USG
civilians at Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and other
field locations, including those operated by our ISAF
partners.

-- Our Embassy in Kabul recently presented your government
with a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the Provision of
Life, Security, and Mobility Support to USG civilians
stationed at facilities operated by your government in
Afghanistan.

-- The MOU, while not legally binding, would replace existing
ad hoc arrangements with an agreed framework for the
provision of support services to U.S. civilians located at
PRTs or other facilities operated by your government. It
would also provide a framework for USG reimbursement to your
government for those services, where applicable.

-- We understand that careful review of the MOU is required,
but we urge your government to conclude the MOU as quickly as
possible.

-- We will be happy to relay any questions or concerns that
you may have back to Embassy Kabul.

STATE 00129187 002 OF 002

4. (U) Points of contact: Embassy Kabul: Patricia McNerney,
Reporting Coordinator, Office of Interagency Provincial
Affairs, IVG: 599-8807; Afghanistan Desk: Brad Parker, Desk
Officer, 202-647-5986.
CLINTON

© Scoop Media