VZCZCXRO7356
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHNO #0147/01 0651809
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061809Z MAR 07
FM USMISSION USNATO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0581
INFO RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0507
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0366
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0179
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0204
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0047
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY 0009
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0090
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0289
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0019
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA PRIORITY 0021
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 0011
RUEHPF/AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH PRIORITY 0009
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES PRIORITY 0023
RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG PRIORITY 0368
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI PRIORITY 0008
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG PRIORITY 0009
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/USNMR SHAPE BE//INTAFF// PRIORITY
RUFNPKD/USDOCO SOUTH NAPLES IT//INTAF// PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USNATO 000147 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2017 
TAGS: NATO PREL JA KS CH XB
SUBJECT: NATO-ASIA TIES STRENGTHENING THROUGH ISAF 
COOPERATION 
 
REF: A. USNATO 22 
 
     ¶B. SEOUL 487 (NOTAL) 
     ¶C. USNATO-EUR/RPM E-MAIL 01/17/2007 REPORT ON 
        ASG/PASP PRC DG LI RUIYU (NOTAL) 
 
USNATO 00000147  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Stuart Seldowitz for reasons 1.4 (B, D) 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶1. (C) Recent exchanges between NATO and Japan, Korea, and 
China illustrate the rapid enhancement of practical 
cooperation through the NATO-led International Security 
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.  NATO's A/SYG Erdmann 
is visiting Tokyo the week of March 5, while NATO is expected 
to finalize approval for Japan to observe or take part in 32 
NATO activities this year, and Japan is to announce plans to 
channel development grants through ISAF Provincial 
Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in Afghanistan.  Korea has 
initiated the transfer of its detachment at the Parwan PRT to 
ISAF command.  The Chinese Ambassador and NATO Senior 
Civilian Representative (SCR) have established direct 
contacts in Kabul, prompting a warm letter of appreciation to 
NATO SYG de Hoop Scheffer from China's Ambassador to Belgium. 
 End Summary. 
 
JAPAN TO CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PRTS 
----------------------------------------- 
¶2. (C) A/SYG Martin Erdmann departed for Tokyo on March 5 for 
a week of consultations with D/FM Yabunaka, D/FM Yachi, 
members of FM Aso's staff, and others, and to present a 
speech as part of a Japanese publicity program on NATO.  The 
consultations agenda covers Japan-NATO cooperation, NATO 
Operations, NATO's transformation, WMD proliferation, 
Regional affairs (focusing on North Korea and China), and 
bilateral Japan-ISAF cooperation. 
 
¶3. (C) On March 7, Erdmann is to sign a memorandum 
establishing a Japanese grants program totaling $20 million 
for Afghanistan that is to be channeled through ISAF PRTs. 
The NATO SCR is to serve as a conduit for PRT proposals to 
the Japanese embassy in Kabul for consideration, fulfilling 
PM Abe's January 12 announcement to the NAC that Japan would 
step up its development and humanitarian assistance through 
ISAF.  The Japanese told NATO prior to Erdmann,s travel that 
the only provinces excluded from aid consideration through 
this plan are those that already receive direct bilateral 
assistance from the Japanese development agency; Kabul, 
Balkh, Bamian and Nangarhar would thus be excluded. 
 
¶4. (C) NATO is nearing agreement to invite Japanese observers 
to 32 NATO exercises and other activities in 2007.  The 
decision is under silence until close of business March 6, 
which should allow Erdmann to announce the decision before he 
departs Tokyo on March 12.  This decision responds to the 
interests expressed by PM Abe to the NAC, building on Japan's 
participation in three seminars and three exercises in 2006. 
Japan is also contributing to Allies' efforts in Afghanistan 
by conducting refuelling operations in the Indian Ocean. 
 
KOREAN UNIT TO ISAF 
------------------- 
¶5. (C) The Republic of Korea offered to transfer its forces 
in Afghanistan currently under U.S. command to ISAF on 
February 12, in a note to SACEUR.  Korean forces consist of 
some 220 medical and engineering personnel based at the 
Parwan PRT at Bagram.  The NAC agreed in principle to accept 
 
USNATO 00000147  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
this on March 6, subject to a successful certification 
process with NATO military authorities and the completion of 
necessary legal and financial paperwork with the NATO Legal 
Adviser.  In addition to bolstering ISAF, this will enable 
expanded access and consultative opportunities at NATO for 
the ROK, to include participation in North Atlantic Council 
meetings that include ISAF non-NATO troop contributors. 
 
CHINA-NATO CONTACT IN KABUL 
---------------------------- 
¶6. (C) On March 1, D/ASG Simmons circulated the text of a 
letter dated February 16 from Chinese Ambassador in Brussels 
Guan Chengyuan expressing appreciation for NATO's help in 
establishing direct contact between "NATO institutions in 
Afghanistan" and the PRC.  Text of the letter follows in para 
¶7. 
 
¶7. (C) Text of the letter, dated February 16, follows: 
 
Your Excellency, 
 
I was very pleased to receive your letter dated 2nd February 
concerning the establishment of direct contact between the 
Chinese Embassy in Kabul and NATO institutions in 
Afghanistan.  I soon reported that to the relevant 
authorities in China.  Now I have the honor to inform you 
that a few days ago, H.E. Mr. Liu Jian, Chinese Ambassador to 
Afghanistan and Ambassador Daan Everts, NATO Civilian High 
Representative to Afghanistan had a meeting in Kabul.  They 
had a constructive discussion with positive achievements on 
enhancing information exchanges, emergency assistance and 
Etc.  I am confident that such kind of contact and exchange 
is conducive to deepening our mutual trust, as well as to the 
peace, stability and reconstruction process in Afghanistan. 
 
I wish to maintain constant contact with you and exchange 
views on issues of mutual concern. 
 
Guan Chengyuan, Ambassador and Head of Mission, People's 
Republic of China, Brussels. 
 
End text. 
OLSON