US embassy cable - 04BRATISLAVA857

UNCLAS  BRATISLAVA 000857 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR MAJOR GENERAL LA FOUNTAINE FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, PGOV, PINR, LO, NATO 
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR VISIT OF MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD LA 
FOUNTAINE, DIRECTOR, J4, EUROPEAN COMMAND, STUTTGART, 
GERMANY 
 
 
1. (U) Summary and Introduction: Welcome to Slovakia!  I 
expect that you will have a productive visit on September 21 
and learn first-hand how US security assistance programs 
have enabled Slovakia to significantly contribute to greater 
regional security and enhanced NATO interoperability. I look 
forward to meeting with you. 
 
2. (SBU) In addition to seeing how U.S. assistance is 
helping the reform and modernization efforts of the Slovak 
military, your visit provides the opportunity to: 
 
--thank the government of Slovakia (GOS) for its 
contribution to OEF, OIF and ISAF, encouraging them to 
continue to contribute to the war on terrorism despite the 
recent barbaric attacks on military forces and civilian 
populations of coalition members; 
 
--encourage the GOS to stay the course on military reform 
and professionalization, especially in the area of NCO 
development. 
 
Political Dynamics 
------------------ 
 
3.  (SBU) Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda's government is a 
center-right coalition made up of four parties that were 
elected in the fall of 2002 to a four-year term.  Although 
this government is more ideologically coherent than its 
predecessor, also led by Dzurinda, it has faced onsiderable 
challenges since its formation.  Dzurinda recalled Minister 
of Defense Ivan Simko in September 2003 for what he 
described as insubordation.  Simko would not support the 
PM's decision to recall the head of the National Security 
Office (NBU), which issues NATO security clearances.  Juraj 
Liska, a member of Dzurinda's party and former mayor of 
Trencin, was named Defense Minister in October.  Liska is 
also committed to defense reform; he recently visited Iraq 
will travel to the U.S. September 18. 
 
4. (SBU) The September 14 visit of Deputy Secretary of State 
Richard Armitage reinforced the positive Slovak-U.S. 
relationship, emphasizing that Slovakia is a partner with 
whom the U.S. consults on world affairs.  The GOS reiterated 
its commitment to stay the course in Iraq and Afghanistan, 
and to live up to its NATO commitments. 
 
OIF/OEF/ISAF 
------------ 
 
5.  (SBU) Per capita, Slovakia is one of the most active 
international peace-keeping nations with approximately 700 
personnel deployed in 10 missions.  The GOS, with only 
minimal public backing, strongly supported the war in Iraq 
and sent a chem-bio consequence management unit to Kuwait 
under Czech command.  After the end of hostilities, the unit 
(82-strong) was replaced with an engineering unit (104 
soldiers) that is currently deployed in the Polish sector. 
 
 
State Partnership Program (SPP) 
------------------------------- 
 
6.  (SBU) Indiana is Slovakia's State Partner.  In FY04, 5 
events were conducted with the Indiana National Guard.  The 
impact of Indiana National Guard units mobilized in support 
of OEF and OIF significantly reduced the number of events 
Indiana was able to support during the year.  For FY-05, a 
total of 14 events have been planned, with the focus on 
peacekeeping operations and counter-terrorism small unit 
exchanges.  These would include up to a platoon size unit 
exchange between the Indiana National Guard and the Slovak 
military. 
 
Foreign Military Financing (FMF) 
-------------------------------- 
 
7.  (SBU) The Slovak MOD's focus on equipment has been on 
defense reform, communications equipment, the Air 
Sovereignty Operations Center (ASOC) air surveillance 
system, simulations training systems, tactical 
communications equipment, small unit equipment, and language 
labs. Slovakia received $6.55M in FMF this fiscal year. 
There have been some delays in processing paperwork for 
acquisitions due to factors such as reorganization of the 
responsible office and lack of English language ability. 
ODC has offered additional training.  You should emphasize 
the need to process paperwork expeditiously in order to take 
 
full advantage of FMF funds. 
 
International Military and Educational Training (IMET) 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
8.  (SBU) Slovakia has participated in the IMET program 
since 1993. The current focus of training has been on 
improving NATO niche capabilities. Professional military 
education courses include: military police, engineer, 
chemical, command and general staff colleges, war colleges, 
and English language training. A significant amount of these 
courses also involve NCO training.  Funding for the FY04 
IMET program is currently at $1.075M with a proposal for 
$950K in FY05. 
 
Military Reform 
--------------- 
9.  (SBU) The update of the Long Term Plan continues as the 
primary focus of the Ministry of Defense and the General 
Staff. The current effort is focused on updating the 
structure of the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff and 
the Armed Forces. The updated Long Term Plan will be the 
basis for developing the Defense Planning Guidance 2006-2011 
in October. 
 
Officer Education and Training Program 
-------------------------------------- 
10.  (SBU) The Law on the Establishment of the National 
Defense Academy (NDA) was signed by the Slovak President. 
This is a major milestone in the overall process of 
reforming Slovak Leader Development along western lines. The 
NDA's Center for Career Development (CCD), which has the 
responsibility for providing officer training in the various 
stages of an officer's career, can greatly benefit from 
leadership and technical expert courses offered by the US. 
In October, a military education team (MET) from the Defense 
International Institute for Legal Studies (DIILS) will 
provide training on several leadership areas. 
11.  (SBU) Enlisted Training Program.  Creating a 
professional force and implementing the role of the NCO in 
the Slovak Armed Forces remains a major objective of 
professional development reform. The new Basic Combat 
Training (BCT) Battalion was activated 1 July 2004 and will 
start training with the new nine weeks Basic Training 
Program of Instruction in October 2004. Thirty-one 
candidates have been selected for Drill Sergeant School to 
support the Basic Combat Training Program. The Advanced 
Individual Training (AIT) Course begins in January 2005. 
 
THAYER 
 
 
NNNN