VZCZCXRO1843
PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR
DE RUEHVEN #0086/01 0971527
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071527Z APR 09
FM USMISSION USOSCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6323
INFO RUCNOSC/ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY IN EUROPE COLLECTIVE
RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA PRIORITY 1289
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0196

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USOSCE 000086 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID OSCE PREL
SUBJECT: S/CRS AMB HERBST PITCHES RECONSTRUCTION AND 
STABILIZATION TO OSCE STATES 
 
¶1.  Summary:  S/CRS Ambassador Herbst visited OSCE March 16 
to explain evolving U.S. concepts and capabilities in 
reconstruction and stabilization (R&S) efforts for failed or 
failing states and to explore how OSCE's experience and 
regional role  could facilitate the development of 
international partnerships.  Reactions from other 
participating States (pS) ranged from the applicability of 
OSCE's work to global R&S efforts to how those global efforts 
might in turn revitalize the OSCE, particularly the Field 
Missions.   At a later meeting with the OSCE Secretary 
General, Ambassador Herbst discussed the possibility of 
short-term secondments of Civilian Reserve Corps members to 
OSCE Field Missions, particularly in law enforcement and rule 
of law, and of OSCE mission members taking S/CRS training 
courses. End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) In his presentation to the Security Committee, 
Ambassador Herbst outlined the role of S/CRS, including its 
antecedents and current build up.   He explained how the 
Civilian Reserve Corps (CRC) would operate and how it would 
partner with the military working in failed or failing 
states.   He also described the initial international 
partnership S/CRS had established bilaterally and 
multilaterally, particularly with the UN and EU.  In response 
to questions from pS Delegations, Ambassador Herbst said that 
the OSCE's experience and continuing mandate in many 
operational areas of reconstruction and stabilization (R&S) 
made it a natural partner l to S/CRS.   In response to a 
question on the priority the U.S. places on development 
assistance to Afghanistan, Ambassador Herbst replied that was 
a key element for the civilian component of U.S. engagement 
there, and he expected even more emphasis on it in the near 
future.   The Russian delegation asked whether S/CRS was 
prepared to integrate its work into established UN and other 
multilateral peacebuilding efforts.  Ambassador Herbst 
envisioned the CRC establishing procedures to make members 
available alongside and through the UN and regional 
organizations for peacekeeping, stability, and peacebuilding 
operations. 
¶3. (SBU) Further discussions with key delegations over lunch 
added greater context to the role the OSCE could play in the 
emerging R&S field.   Ambassador Herbst confirmed that 
S/CRS's mandate extended to sub-national ungoverned spaces, 
such as the sites of the OSCE's protracted conflicts, but 
emphasized any R&S work had to be as a result of a political 
resolution or understanding that, in the case of South 
Ossetia remained elusive.   The British Ambassador stressed 
the role of the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre and said 
that for any R&S efforts in the OSCE area it would be 
important to coordinate resources and priorities.  The 
Hungarian Ambassador, chair of the Security Committee, 
commented on the importance of feeding R&S efforts into 
larger international efforts to build usable capacity in this 
important area.  The Ambassador from Japan, an OSCE partner 
and former Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, stressed 
the value of the OSCE's comprehensive approach to 
stabilization and security, as well as its emphasis on 
promoting the rule of law.  Several others emphasized the 
lessons the OSCE has learned about the importance of 
providing the right equipment to stabilization efforts.  All 
agreed this was an area in which the OSCE could help shape 
the contours of a workable international partnership. 
¶4. (SBU) At a roundtable discussion hosted by the OSCE 
Secretariat, Paul Fritch, Senior Adviser to the Secretary 
General (and an FSO on loan to the OSCE) noted that OSCE 
Field Missions provided tailor-made templates for 
multinational R&S partnerships.  He cited work the Missions 
undertake in counterterrorism, rule of law, border security 
and advocating for human rights and tolerance.  Field 
Missions also present, he said, a flexible project 
development framework for ongoing and longer-term assistance 
along with a methodology for working through and alongside 
NGOs and the private sector.  Other comments touched upon 
work the OSCE was doing to coordinate and standardize the 
training of police and to prevent trafficking in drugs, 
people , and arms.  Once the Civilian Reserve Corps had been 
more developed, Ambassador Herbst said S/CRS might be 
interested in detailing staff to OSCE Field Missions, and 
offer advice in potentially improving the R&S aspects of the 
Missions; joint training was another possibility. 
¶5.  (SBU) At a subsequent meeting, OSCE Secretary General 
(SG) de Brichambaut stressed the unique contributions OSCE 
makes in democratizing police forces and providing election 
assistance and monitoring.  The Field Missions, he said, were 
heavily dependent on the goodwill of the host governments and 
certain countries, Uzbekistan for example, placed tight 
restrictions on what functions the Mission could perform. 
The SG asked for more U.S. secondees to OSCE Field Missions 
and Ambassador Herbst again said he could eventually envision 
sending several CRC members to gain field experience.   Both 
 
USOSCE 00000086  002 OF 002 
 
 
agreed that the OSCE's work in police training and 
anti-trafficking had genuine applicability to S/CRS's 
evolving capabilities and priorities.  As S/CRS capabilities 
start to grow, Ambassador Herbst said he could envision 
significant potential for collaboration with the OSCE.   The 
SG welcomed the chance for further, more in-depth dialogue 
with S/CRS which could among other things allow for a 
thorough sharing and better institutionalization of lessons 
learned. 
¶6. (SBU) COMMENT:  Ambassador Herbst's presentation and 
discussions succeeded in getting OSCE pS delegations and 
institutions to reframe the organization's track record of 
promoting democratic governance and stability within the 
context of evolving thinking on an appropriate international 
response to the security threat of failed or failing states. 
Yet many in Vienna will be looking for additional substance 
on how the OSCE can be a guide for developing practical 
international partnerships in R&S.  It will be essential for 
us to follow up with concrete ideas and activities.  The June 
23-24 Annual Security Review Conference presents an early 
target of opportunity for fleshing out our ideas: Working 
Session 3 focuses on conflict prevention, crisis management 
and post-conflict rehabilitation.  END COMMENT 
SCOTT