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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 USNATO 000720 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2016 
TAGS: NATO PREL AF
SUBJECT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL READOUT - DECEMBER 14, 2006 
 
 
Classified By: DCM RICHARD G. OLSON For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY: 
 
-- Afghanistan: SYG details a busy calendar of NATO events 
for early 2007.  He observed that much more needs to be done 
on ANA train and equip.  Ambassador Nuland seconds SYG,s 
call to accelerate military advice on ANA training before 
Seville, and also asked for more detailed briefs on ISAF 
military operations and strategy, while questioning whether 
force levels have been re-evaluated since the insurgency has 
gained momentum.  Lithuania and Norway announce increased aid 
for Afghanistan. 
 
-- Balkans/Kosovo: SYG updates NAC on latest UNMIK report and 
calls on NATO to intensify coordination with international 
partners in early 2007.  CMC emphasizes the report,s finding 
on the potential for instability post-status, but states that 
KFOR is prepared. 
 
-- Balkans/PfP: Norway, supported by Hungary, called for 
Serbia,s Presentation Document to be submitted before the 
January 21 elections and urged the NAC to assist all three 
new partner countries with their presentation documents. 
 
-- Darfur: NATO support to AMIS extended through June 30, 
2007; Special Envoy Natsios to meet with SYG on December 15. 
Ambassador Nuland, while cautioning the NAC on the 
deteriorating situation in the region, clearly stated that 
the &no-fly zone8 press reports are premature. 
 
-- Iraq: Italy,s PR confirmed that his country will send a 
training assessment mission to Iraq.  The SYG reported that a 
senior Iraqi official is expected to brief the NAC in early 
2007 regarding training needs.  Ambassador Nuland and SYG 
urged acceleration of military advice on expansion of NTM-I. 
The CMC detailed a significant mortar/rocket attack at 
Ar-Rustimayah. 
 
-- NAC Approves the 2007 Civil Budget. 
 
-- NAC Approves the 2007 Military Budget Allocation. 
 
END SUMMARY. 
 
Afghanistan 
----------- 
¶2. (C) Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer welcomed as &good 
news8 the recommendations being prepared following the 
return of the EU,s assessment mission to Afghanistan on 
police training and rule of law.  He noted the continuing 
strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite 
the visit of Pakistani FM Kasuri to Kabul, labeling the 
heated public exchanges between both nations as 
&unhelpful.8  The SYG laid out a busy NAC calendar for the 
early new year.  January will include: a Reinforced NAC at 
Political Directors, level; the farewell of JFC-Brunssum 
(ISAF,s operational HQ) commander General Back (Germany); 
and a visit by SCR Daan Everts.  In February, ISAF will hold 
a change of command to U.S. General Dan McNeill; ISAF IX 
General Richards will likely brief the NAC on February 7; and 
Afghan Parliament Speaker Qanuni will lead a delegation to 
Brussels.  The SYG thanked Estonia for a recent donation to 
the ANA of 4,000 rifles plus ammunition, and Denmark and 
Iceland for transportation assistance.  He encouraged more 
equipment donations in 2007, and urged NMAs to accelerate 
their work schedule in order to have advice on greater NATO 
training support to the ANA provided to the NAC in time for 
Defense Ministers to discuss the issue in Seville on February 
8-9. 
 
¶3. (C) CMC Henault noted that current planning timelines for 
 
USNATO 00000720  002 OF 004 
 
 
the ANA training support advice at SHAPE and ACT would not 
meet the Seville time frame, but pledged to look into it.  A 
slowing factor, he predicted, would be the need to first 
gauge nations, willingness to provide resources to an 
expanded training effort.  Henault pointed to positive gains 
on ISAF force generation at Riga, but reminded Allies that 
ISAF still lacked a theater task force, as well as three PRTs 
and maneuver forces for Dai Kundi, Nimroz, and Logar 
provinces.  SHAPE is in the process of compiling a revised 
caveats matrix post-Riga, but has thus far received responses 
from only 13 of 26 Allies. 
 
¶4. (C) IMS AD for Intelligence RADM Clayton,s brief assessed 
Opposing Militant Forces (OMF) successes and failures in 
2006, and plans through spring 2007.  He stated that COMISAF 
would soon begin the process of deliberating when to launch 
Phase Two of the ongoing Operation &Oqab,8 which will aim 
to disrupt OMF winter recalibration and resupply in an effort 
to weaken and disrupt anticipated spring offensives.  Clayton 
noted high morale among OMF, which enjoyed cross-border 
freedom of movement, but also pointed to OMF failure to 
prevent ISAF expansion or to seize territory.  He anticipated 
greater OMF activity this winter than in past winters, and 
continuing asymmetric attacks against ISAF and ANSF as OMF 
prepared for an increased op tempo in the spring. 
 
¶5. (C) Ambassador Nuland thanked Allies who had pledged 
mobility assets and trainers at Riga, but reminded them of 
the need to do more and to use progress in media outreach. 
She asked NMAs to provide ANA training support advice prior 
to Seville.  She urged the IMS to sharpen up future briefs, 
noting that Clayton,s brief was not sufficiently detailed or 
future-oriented, given strong OMF activity in the south, 
particularly in Helmand and Panjwai.  Finally, the Ambassador 
asked for the latest thinking on force levels and laydown in 
theater, given that the current CJSOR was developed before 
the insurgency gained momentum in 2006.  Lithuania announced 
a 1.6 million euro contribution for development in Ghor 
Province, and a 30,000-euro contribution to the recently 
established ISAF Post-Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund. 
Norway stated it had allocated one million euros for 
reconstruction in the south, which will be disbursed in 
cooperation with the Afghan government. 
 
Kosovo 
------ 
¶6. (SBU) The SYG provided an update on UN SYG Annan,s latest 
report on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo 
(UNMIK), which noted the potential for future instability if 
there was further delay in the settlement process.  The 
report also calls on UNSC members to keep Kosovo on the 
agenda.  The SYG mentioned that the Policy Coordinating Group 
completed its work on the Balkans Autumn Periodic Mission 
Review.  Lastly, he noted that NATO needs to move forward in 
the New Year, once the Kosovo status process becomes clearer, 
and intensify dialogue with the EU, the UN, and other 
international partners.  The CMC also emphasized the 
report,s finding on the potential for instability, but said 
that KFOR will remain proactive to deal with any threats to 
security. 
 
Balkans/PfP 
----------- 
¶7. (C) The Norwegian PermRep, supported by Hungary, requested 
that the Council assist the three new partner countries, 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia with their 
presentation documents.  He wanted Serbia to present its 
Presentation Document sooner rather than later, and 
specifically before the Serbian elections on 21 January.  He 
also cautioned against pressuring Belgrade on the necessity 
of referencing ICTY compliance and on Kosovo resolution in 
the documents in order to support the moderates and reformers 
 
USNATO 00000720  003 OF 004 
 
 
during the election campaign. 
 
Darfur 
------ 
¶8. (SBU) The SYG sought and gained Council agreement to 
SG(2006)0842, extending NATO support to the African Union 
mission in Sudan (AMIS) until June 31, 2007.  CMC said he 
will ask SHAPE to come forward with recommendations quickly. 
Ambassador Nuland informed the NAC that Special Envoy Natsios 
had just been in the region for meetings with the Sudanese 
government and AU officials, and that he would meet with the 
SYG in Brussels on December 15.  She commented that press 
reports referencing a possible no-fly zone were &ahead of 
reality;8 leaders continued, however, to be very concerned 
about the deteriorating situation in the region. 
 
Iraq 
---- 
¶9. (C) The SYG noted the PCG had completed its work on the 
Autumn PMR and, following up on his conversation with Deputy 
Prime Minister Salih, stated that he expected a senior Iraqi 
official would brief the Council early next year on training 
needs, specifically gendarmerie training.  The Italian 
Ambassador reaffirmed Italy,s gendarmerie training offer, 
stating that after military advice is provided by SHAPE, 
Italy will send a fact-finding mission to Iraq to better 
define its contribution and match it to Iraq,s needs.  In 
response to an inquiry from Ambassador Nuland, CMC said input 
from SHAPE on the gendarmerie training mission should be 
provided by January 31.  Both Ambassador Nuland and the SYG 
pressed for quicker action on military advice so that it 
could be considered by the NAC in time for the Defense 
Ministers, Feb. 8-9 meeting. 
 
¶10. (C) CMC stated that on 12 December, there was a 
significant, coordinated mortar and rocket attack on 
Ar-Rustimayah; thirteen rounds impacted the camp from four 
different directions.  The timing of the attack, during the 
morning rush hour for local national workers, indicated an 
intention to inflict mass casualties.  Minor damage to 
buildings and a single coalition force injury were reported. 
 
Civil Budget Approved in the NAC 
-------------------------------- 
¶11. (U) The CBC Chairman presented the 2007 Civil Budget 
Committee's comments on the Secretary General's proposed 
budget.  The 2007 focus for Objective-Based budgeting is the 
CBC,s recommending Key Performance indicators to rate how 
strategic goals are being met.  Germany and Belgium fully 
supported the CBC's decision to freeze fifty percent of the 
allocation for ICT revitalization until more information is 
issued regarding the scope, planning and programmatic aspects 
of the project.  The SecGen said zero real growth is not the 
best financial strategy but reality dictates it.  The Turkish 
PermRep commented that zero real growth is not a realistic 
way forward, is untenable and is out of keeping with Alliance 
initiatives. 
 
NAC approves the 2007 Military Budget Allocation 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
¶12. (U) The NAC approved the allocation of 1,048 MEURO 
amongst the military headquarters and agencies, noting that 
additional Afghanistan operational requirements are under 
development and will likely lead to a supplementary budget 
request of as much as 110 MEUROs.  The NAC also noted the 
CMC,s concern that the headquarters budgets were cut without 
due consideration of the impact statements from the military 
authorities and he agreed to revisit the issue, if necessary, 
once the impact statements were available.  The SECGEN urged 
nations to resolve the alignment of the financial controller 
for the military commands during 2007. 
 
 
USNATO 00000720  004 OF 004 
 
 
NULAND