Cablegate: Action Request: Engaging Coalition Partners to Quickly

VZCZCXRO2318
RR RUEHDBU RUEHPW RUEHSL
DE RUEHBUL #3981/01 3440927
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100927Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3904
INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3888
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0563
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0306
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 2248
RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST 0448
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 0006
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0713
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 0056
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 3062
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 0411
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 5268
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3002
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0003
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW 0075
RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE 0064

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KABUL 003981

DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM
STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA
USFOR-A FOR POLAD

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: ACTION REQUEST: ENGAGING COALITION PARTNERS TO QUICKLY
REVIEW DRAFT MOU ON LIFE, SECURITY AND MOBILITY SUPPORT

REF 3870

1. This message contains an action request in para 4

2. (U) Begin Summary. Embassy Kabul continues to engage with
coalition partners with Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) to
press for conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Life,
Security and Mobility Support. We understand coalition partner
capitals are reviewing these agreements, and we have asked our PRT
officers at coalition-led PRTs to urge coalition colleagues to press
their foreign ministries for a quick turnaround. Embassy Kabul
requests that the Department instruct Posts in capitals of these
coalition partners to engage with appropriate Ministry of Foreign
Affairs officials to similarly highlight the importance of quickly
concluding these agreements. End Summary.

3. (U) Embassy Kabul is in the process of significantly increasing
the number of USG civilians at Provincial Reconstruction Teams
(PRTs) and other field locations. Of the 27 PRTs in Afghanistan, 15
are ISAF Coalition-led. There are more than 50 U.S. civilians based
at Coalition-led locations, and we hope to deploy many more in the
coming months. In order to facilitate this increase, we are trying
to conclude MOUs that will support such deployments. Currently,
arrangements for accommodation and support of U.S. civilians at
partner PRTs have been ad hoc and informal. Several partners have
asked for an MOU. Assistant Chief of Mission Mussomeli recently
met with ambassadors of all coalition countries that have PRTs in
which the USG has or may seek to place civilians in the coming
months (reftel). He presented them with draft MOUs on Life,
Security and Mobility, which were positively received. A brief
summation of the current status of negotiation of the individual
MOUs is outlined below:

-- U.K.: The latest version of the MOU is in the final stages of
discussion. Post expects to conclude discussions with UK colleagues
in the next week.

-- Norway: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 30.
The Norwegians report that the MOU was sent to Oslo, but there is no
response yet.

-- Sweden: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 30.
The Swedes report that the MOU was sent to Stockholm and is being
processed.

-- Germany: The last contact with the Embassy was on December 10.
The initial response from the German government was positive and
included some technical questions from the Ministry of Defense that
we are working through.

-- Hungary: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 18.
The Hungarians reported that the MOU was sent to Budapest where it
will need to be negotiated, rather than in Afghanistan.

-- Canada: The last contact with the Embassy was on December 3.
The Canadians report that the MOU was sent to Ottawa and that
comments would be returned to us on December 6 (as of December 10,
Post had not received the comments). Additionally, the PRT reports
some initial concerns were raised by the Canadian PRT with the
requirement to support three movements per day and will want to work
on revised language on this point.

-- The Netherlands: The last contact with the Embassy was on
December 4. The Dutch report that the MOU was sent to the Foreign
Ministry and Tarin Kowt for comments.

-- Lithuania: The last contact with the Embassy was on December 4.
The Lithuanians report that the MOU was sent to Vilnius for review.

-- France: The last contact with the Embassy was on December 4.

KABUL 00003981 002 OF 002

The French report that the MOU was sent to TF Lafayette and Paris
for review on November 23. The Embassy said that they have been
very busy and have not had time to review the document but have not
forgotten about it.

-- Spain: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 24.
SCR-West Brad Hanson discussed with the Spanish PRT Commander on
November 30 changes to be incorporated regarding the self-drive
requirements. Post RSO is considering revised language.

-- Italy: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 21.
SCR-West Brad Hanson discussed with the Italian PRT Commander on
November 30 changes to be incorporated regarding the self-drive
requirements. Post RSO is considering revised language.

-- New Zealand: As New Zealand's diplomatic representation is based
in Tehran, we will provide a copy of the agreement to the Embassy
via email and via the PRT in Bamyan. Additionally, it will be
helpful if our mission in Wellington provides a copy of the
agreement to the Foreign Ministry per the action request below.

-- Czech Republic: The last contact with the Embassy was on
November 25. As the Czech Republic does not provide support to U.S.
personnel (and is located on a USFOR-A base), the MOU is not
necessary. The Czech Embassy reported that the MOU was sent to
Prague for information.

-- Poland: The last contact with the Embassy was on November 24.
As the Polish Government does not provide support to U.S. personnel,
the MOU is not necessary. The Polish Ambassador was provided the
agreement for information.

-- Turkey: As the Turkish PRT does not provide support to U.S.
personnel, the MOU is not necessary. We will provide a copy of the
MOU to the embassy for its information.

4. (U) Action Requested: Embassy Kabul recommends that Department
instruct posts in the following countries to approach the
appropriate officials in the host government Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to emphasize the importance of concluding the MOU.
Countries to approach include: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Hungary,
Canada, The Netherlands, Lithuania, France, Spain, and Italy.
Additionally, Post requests that Embassy Wellington provide a copy
of the draft MOU with New Zealand to the New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs; the MOU will be emailed separately. Recommended
points are as follows:

-- Our Embassy in Kabul recently presented your government with a
draft Memorandum of Understanding on Life, Security and Mobility
Support.

-- This agreement, while not legally binding, would establish a
framework for cooperation for support to U.S. civilians at coalition
led Provincial Reconstruction Teams(PRT) or other bases.

-- The MOU would establish a framework for cooperation for what have
been until now largely ad hoc arrangements, and would provide a
mechanism for USG payment to coalition partners for support services
provided to U.S. civilians at PRTs or other bases.

-- We understand that it will take some time to review the document,
but we appreciate your expeditious review.

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

5. Post appreciates Department's assistance in this request. POC's
for questions or comments on the MOUs are Ann Marie Yastishock at
Kabul/USAID and Patricia McNerney at Kabul/IPA.

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