

Currently released so far... 12478 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AU
ASEC
AE
AF
AORC
AEMR
AMGT
ABUD
AFFAIRS
APER
AS
AMED
AY
AG
AR
AJ
AL
AID
AM
AODE
ABLD
AMG
AFIN
ATRN
AGAO
AFU
AN
AA
ALOW
APECO
ADM
ARF
ASEAN
APEC
AMBASSADOR
AO
ASUP
AZ
AADP
ACOA
ANET
AMCHAMS
ACABQ
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
APCS
AGMT
AINF
AIT
AORL
ACS
AFSI
AFSN
ACBAQ
AFGHANISTAN
ADANA
ADPM
AX
ADCO
AECL
AMEX
ACAO
ASCH
AORG
AGR
AROC
ASIG
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
BL
BR
BO
BA
BD
BM
BK
BG
BU
BB
BH
BTIO
BY
BEXP
BP
BE
BRUSSELS
BF
BIDEN
BT
BX
BC
BILAT
BN
BBSR
BTIU
BWC
BMGT
CA
CASC
CVIS
CM
CH
CO
CU
CD
CWC
CI
CS
CY
CMGT
CF
CG
CR
CB
CV
CW
CE
CBW
CT
CPAS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CJAN
CODEL
CIDA
CDG
CDC
CIA
CTR
CNARC
CSW
CN
CONS
CLINTON
COE
CROS
CARICOM
CONDOLEEZZA
COUNTER
CL
COM
CICTE
CIS
CFED
COUNTRY
CJUS
CBSA
CEUDA
CLMT
CAC
COPUOS
CIC
CBE
CHR
CTM
CVR
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CACS
CAN
CITT
CARSON
CACM
CDB
CAPC
CKGR
CBC
EC
EG
EPET
ECON
ETRD
EFIN
EIND
EMIN
ENRG
EAID
EAGR
EUN
ETTC
EAIR
ENIV
ES
EU
EINV
ELAB
ECIN
EFIS
ELTN
EWWT
ECPS
ECONOMIC
ENGR
EN
EINT
EPA
ELN
ESA
EZ
ER
ET
EFTA
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
EXTERNAL
EI
EUR
EK
ERNG
ENGY
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENERG
EINVEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELECTIONS
ETC
EUREM
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EURN
ECINECONCS
EEPET
EXIM
ERD
ENVI
ETRC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ETRO
EDU
ETRN
EAIG
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
EIAR
EXBS
ECUN
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ESENV
ECONEFIN
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUNCH
EINVETC
IZ
IT
IR
IS
IN
IC
IAEA
IO
ICAO
IWC
ID
IV
ISRAEL
IAHRC
IQ
ICTR
IMF
IRS
IDP
IGAD
ICRC
ICTY
IMO
IL
INRA
INRO
ICJ
ITU
IBRD
INMARSAT
IIP
ITALY
IEFIN
IACI
ILO
INTELSAT
ILC
ITRA
IDA
INRB
IRC
INTERPOL
IA
IPR
IRAQI
ISRAELI
INTERNAL
ISLAMISTS
INDO
ITPHUM
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
IBET
INR
IEA
IZPREL
IRAJ
ITF
IF
KDEM
KU
KPAL
KNNP
KCRM
KZ
KN
KS
KJUS
KTFN
KSCA
KV
KISL
KPAO
KPKO
KIRF
KTIA
KIPR
KFLO
KFRD
KTIP
KAWC
KSUM
KCOM
KAID
KE
KTDB
KMDR
KOMC
KWBG
KDRG
KVPR
KTEX
KGIC
KWMN
KSCI
KCOR
KACT
KDDG
KHLS
KSAF
KFLU
KSEO
KMRS
KSPR
KOLY
KSEP
KVIR
KGHG
KIRC
KUNR
KIFR
KCIP
KMCA
KMPI
KBCT
KHSA
KICC
KIDE
KCRS
KMFO
KRVC
KRGY
KR
KAWK
KG
KFIN
KHIV
KBIO
KOCI
KBTR
KNEI
KPOA
KCFE
KPLS
KSTC
KHDP
KPRP
KCRCM
KLIG
KCFC
KTER
KREC
KTBT
KPRV
KSTH
KRIM
KRAD
KWAC
KWMM
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KOMS
KX
KMIG
KRCM
KVRP
KBTS
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNAR
KPWR
KNPP
KDEMAF
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KGIT
KPAI
KTLA
KFSC
KCSY
KSAC
KTRD
KID
KOM
KMOC
KJUST
KGCC
KREL
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KO
KNSD
KHUM
KSEC
KCMR
KCHG
KICA
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KCGC
KWWMN
KPAK
KWNM
KWMNCS
KRFD
MOPS
MCAP
MPOS
MARR
MO
MNUC
MX
MASS
MG
MY
MU
ML
MR
MILITARY
MTCRE
MT
MEPP
MA
MDC
MP
MAR
MASSMNUC
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MD
MI
MEETINGS
MK
MCC
MEPN
MRCRE
MAS
MIL
MASC
MC
MV
MTCR
MIK
MUCN
MEDIA
MERCOSUR
MW
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MTRE
MEPI
MQADHAFI
MAPS
NO
NATO
NL
NP
NZ
NSF
NI
NH
NG
NAFTA
NU
NASA
NR
NATOPREL
NSSP
NSG
NA
NT
NW
NK
NPT
NPA
NATIONAL
NPG
NSFO
NS
NSC
NE
NGO
NDP
NIPP
NRR
NEW
NZUS
NC
NAR
NV
NORAD
OTRA
OPCW
OVIP
OAS
OREP
OPIC
OIIP
OPRC
ODIP
OEXC
OPDC
OSCE
OIC
OSCI
OECD
OFDP
OFDA
OMIG
OPAD
OFFICIALS
OVP
OIE
OHUM
OCS
OBSP
OTR
OSAC
ON
OCII
OES
PGOV
PREL
PHUM
PTER
PINS
PINR
PREF
PK
PROP
PA
PARM
PBTS
PMAR
PM
PGIV
PE
PRAM
PHUH
PHSA
PL
PNAT
PO
PLN
PAO
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PF
PEL
PBIO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PAS
POL
PREO
PAHO
PMIL
POGOV
POV
PAK
PNR
PRL
PG
PREFA
PSI
PINL
PU
PARMS
PRGOV
PALESTINIAN
PAIGH
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POSTS
PROG
PORG
PTBS
PUNE
POLICY
PDOV
PCI
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PBT
PP
PS
PY
PTERE
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PRELP
PSEPC
PGOVE
PINF
PNG
PGOC
PFOR
PCUL
POLINT
PGGV
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PGOVLO
PHUS
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RELATIONS
RW
RO
RM
RP
ROOD
RICE
RUPREL
RSO
RCMP
REACTION
REPORT
REGION
RIGHTS
RF
RFE
RSP
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
SU
SCUL
SNAR
SOCI
SF
SA
SHUM
SENV
SP
SR
SY
SANC
SC
SMIG
SZ
SARS
SW
SEVN
SO
SEN
SL
SNARCS
SNARN
SI
SG
SN
SH
SYR
SAARC
SPCE
SHI
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SYRIA
SWE
STEINBERG
SIPRS
ST
SNARIZ
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SIPDIS
SAN
TC
TI
TBIO
TH
TSPL
TRGY
TSPA
TPHY
TU
TW
TS
TAGS
TK
TX
TNGD
TZ
TF
TL
TV
TN
TD
TIP
TR
TP
TO
TT
TFIN
THPY
TERRORISM
TINT
TRSY
TURKEY
TBID
US
UK
UNGA
UP
UZ
UNMIK
USTR
UNO
UNSC
UN
UNESCO
UNAUS
UNHRC
UY
UG
UNHCR
UNCND
USOAS
USEU
UNICEF
UNEP
UV
UNPUOS
UNCSD
USUN
UNCHR
UNDC
USNC
UE
UNDP
UNC
USPS
USAID
UNVIE
UAE
UNFICYP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07WELLINGTON866, NEW ZEALAND AND US MIL-TO-MIL COOPERATION
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #07WELLINGTON866.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
07WELLINGTON866 | 2007-12-19 00:29 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Wellington |
VZCZCXRO5185
PP RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHWL #0866/01 3530029
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 190029Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4963
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 5051
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI PRIORITY 0025
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0043
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0306
RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE PRIORITY 0517
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 0676
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0056
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 WELLINGTON 000866
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/ANP; PACOM FOR JO1E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ; OSD FOR
JESSICA POWERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PREL MARR NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND AND US MIL-TO-MIL COOPERATION
WELLINGTON 00000866 001.2 OF 004
Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Margaret McKean; Reason 1,4 (b) and (
d)
¶1. (C) Summary. During a December 4-5 visit to New
Zealand, OSD New Zealand Director Jessica Powers and PACOM
New Zealand Desk Officer Rick Bairett reviewed US-NZ military
cooperation, discussed the implementation of a new
notification policy covering eight areas of mil-to-mil
engagement, and Powers updated MOD officials on the status of
the GNZ pending request to sell its inventory of A-4 planes.
Both Air Vice Marshal David Bamfield and MOD Secretary John
McKinnon underscored the importance the GNZ attaches to the
successful resolution of the A-4 sale. Powers pressed GNZ
officials on further commitments to Afghanistan; she allowed
that DOD would work with the GNZ on addressing logistics
concerns surrounding a renewed SAS deployment to Afghanistan.
USG and GNZ officials discussed future activities for
engagement and cooperation, and agreed to work closely to
enhance cooperation within the region (through the ARF). New
Zealand officials noted their efforts to encourage other
countries to expand contributions in Afghanistan. End
Summary.
A-4 Sale of Major Concern to GNZ
--------------------------------
¶2. (C) In her opening call on Ministry of Defense Secretary
John McKinnon, OSD Director Jessica Powers explained that her
visit to New Zealand had two objectives: clarify the status
of the A-4 sale and review the USG decision to move eight
categories of military cooperation to a notification process
within DOD to expedite planning facilitation. Powers
introduced Major Rick Bairett from PACOM, and encouraged GNZ
interlocutors to reach out to PACOM if there are questions
surrounding GNZ participation in upcoming activities. Sec
McKinnon welcomed the USG visitors and the opportunity to
discuss the relationship in broad terms, noting that the GNZ
owes the U.S. a response to the US decision regarding the
notification process. The new arrangements, McKinnon
continued, have been expected for some time and MOD is
pleased that it's happened. He advised that both Minister of
Defense Phil Goff and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston
Peters had both signed off on the document; PM Clark has been
traveling for three weeks and simply has not yet had an
opportunity to review the new procedures and draft press
language. Minister Goff briefly referred to the policy
during a recent trip to Canada.
¶3. (C) In moving to the pending A-4 sale, Powers prefaced
her remarks by noting the issue is complex in that it
involves a DOD Inspector General investigation; nothing that
OSD does in terms of following up on the progress of the
proposed sale can be perceived as interfering in the legal
process. Powers related that she is aware the GNZ is
considering another buyer of the planes; the State Department
will consider the sale as long as the company in question has
a USG contract. She noted that the proposed buyer is only
one dimension of the sale; there is also the issue of DOD
responsibility and potential liability for such planes, and
this factor also has a bearing on the delay.
¶4. (C) McKinnon thanked Powers for the update and offered
that Minister Goff is getting "quite agitated" about the A-4
issue. The GNZ appreciates the legal aspect of the ongoing
application, said McKinnon, and opined that another buyer
would probably be the preferred option for moving this issue
forward. The Secretary emphasized that if another suitable
company can be identified, the GNZ would appreciate
expeditious processing of the request. Powers urged that the
NZ Embassy in Washington work closely with OSD/DSCA on the
A-4 issue.
Afghanistan: NZ to Stay "as Long as Necessary"
--------------------------------------------- --
¶5. (C) On Afghanistan, McKinnon said that Ministers had
recently agreed that New Zealand would continue its
WELLINGTON 00000866 002.2 OF 004
participation for another year. The one-year review is only
a function the GNZ's internal administration process, said
the DepSec, and he opined that New Zealand would continue its
deployment "as long as it's necessary to do so." A Canadian
independent panel recently visited the New Zealand PRT in
Bamiyan, and Paul Sinclair said that GNZ officials stressed
the importance of the Canadian contribution to Afghanistan
and the need for the international community to stay the
course in Afghanistan. McKinnon observed that Bamiyan has
become synonymous with New Zealand, adding that the New
Zealand government will review in early 2008 the whole
spectrum of NZ assistance in Afghanistan as well as the
prospect of a presence in Kabul.
¶6. (C) McKinnon noted that the number of security incidents
in Bamiyan has risen recently, and that is a concern. What
is not clear, he continued, is whether the problem stems from
political or criminal problems; the GNZ has deployed
personnel to assess the situation and make recommendations.
Powers responded that continued New Zealand PRT assistance in
Afghanistan is of great importance, and that the USG would
welcome the return of the New Zealand Special Forces (SAS).
She said that if the GNZ were to consider a redeployment to
Afghanistan, the USG would prefer that the SAS conduct
special operations rather than perimeter security for the
Bamiyan PRT. The USG is cognizant of GNZ transportation
concerns and competing demands for New Zealand Defense Forces
in the south Pacific. She urged the MOD to identify
constraints and work with the USG to resolve issues
surrounding the SAS. McKinnon took the message on board, but
noted that the decision rests with the Prime Minister.
¶7. (C) Powers asked if there were other military resources
that might be considered -- trainers or Operational and
Military Liaison Teams (OMLTs). McKinnon responded that the
trainer issue was under consideration with particular
attention to the availability of the relevant personnel. New
Zealand was also looking at police training. Powers
suggested that New Zealand, in considering options beyond the
Bamiyan PRT, look at the OMLTs, which interface between ISAF
and the ANA in providing both training and operational
support. Paul Sinclair said that the OMLT issue has been
examined by GNZ officials, but has not been put forward to
Ministers for a decision. McKinnon offered that the GNZ will
review its Afghanistan contribution in the first half of
2008, looking at what others are doing and how New Zealand
might mix in with other elements. Powers asked if the GNZ
were planning to send an assessment team to Afghanistan, but
McKinnon said there were no plans at present. Powers
suggested that if a team were to go out, it would be useful
for the team to stop at CENTCOM and in Washington. She also
urged New Zealand to get the Singaporeans to do more in
Afghanistan. Paul Sinclair said that Singapore is
considering a GNZ request to place medical personnel in a
Dutch-run hospital in Uruzgan province. In addition, New
Zealand has approached Japan about the possibility of
contributing to the Bamiyan PRT with engineers and medics.
Powers was aware of the request to Japan, noting that the USG
has encouraged Japan to do what it can.
Improved US-NZ Mil-to-Mil Cooperation
-------------------------------------
¶8. (C) In a broader meeting at the Ministry of Defense
chaired by Director for International Defense Relations Paul
Sinclair, Powers and Bairett met with Director of Defense
Intelligence Kevin Arledge, MFAT Division of the Americas
Senior Policy Officer Justin Fepuleai, Director of Strategic
Commitments Ian Gore, Director of Defense Policy and Planning
Wayne Higgins, Warren Whiting (his replacement) and MFAT's
Security and Disarmament Division's Rick Prendergast. Paul
Sinclair praised the increased tempo of bilateral visits and
mil-to-mil interaction over the past year, and welcomed the
recent USG notification policy decision for the eight areas
of engagement. Powers and Bairett discussed various upcoming
operations with officials, including a possible Te Mata long
distance training linkup while the ship is en route to the
WELLINGTON 00000866 003.2 OF 004
Mideast, a Proliferation Security Initiative exercise (Maru
in September 2008) in which PAC Fleet and the US Coast Guard
will participate depending on how much of the exercise will
be in port or in international waters. Ian Gore said that
the detail of the exercise will be worked out during the
Operational Experts Groups (OEG) meeting in London in early
¶2008.
¶9. (C) Activities in Dili involving US and NZ forces may
also fall within the eight categories, and both sides agreed
that there could be opportunities there. Bairett offered
that Australia has asked PACOM to do more in Dili; the U.S.
will be deploying Marines to Timor Leste next year. Powers
and Bairett agreed that PACOM would keep New Zealand in the
loop on military planning for exercises and training in Dili.
Paul Sinclair said that the New Zealand police in Dili spend
the majority of their time mentoring other members of the
international UN police contingent, as opposed to working
with the Timor police. The UN, continued Sinclair, has
recommended that the New Zealand defense forces liaise with
the Timor police but New Zealand does not believe military
should do police work. Just as in Afghanistan, there is a
weakness in the international police development efforts in
Dili, agreed USG and GNZ officials.
¶10. (C) Powers noted that before the recent USG policy
decision, operators on the US side often assumed the answer
regarding joint mil-mil activities with New Zealand would be
negative, and therefore they would not pursue permission;
others would wait until the last minute to propose
activities. Now OSD and PACOM need to ensure the questions
are asked early and that communication with GNZ operators is
encouraged; Powers said that the USG would welcome feedback
from the GNZ as to how the new policy is working. Major
Bairett noted that Admiral Keating had wanted a PACOM
official to visit New Zealand as Rear Admiral Ledson will be
exploring a possible PAC Fleet visit to New Zealand in April
¶2008. Paul Sinclair requested that the instructions provided
by OSD to US commands be given to the New Zealand Ministry of
Defense so that parallel instructions are handed down to New
Zealand counterparts. Powers agreed to explore the
possibility. Bairett and Sinclair discussed the need to
arrive at a common definition of third-party hosted
operations, as it is not always clear as to sponsorship.
Paul Sinclair raised the issue of a NZ liaison officer at
PACOM, as had been proposed by New Zealand during the
previous visits of Brigadier General Toolan and DASD Clad.
Powers noted that the U.S. owes New Zealand a response on
this issue. She suggested that given New Zealand's current
list of activities for 2008, it may be worth sending a GNZ
official to PACOM every six months for a discussion on
opportunities for greater collaboration. Regular PACOM
contact through Rick Bairett is another area for enhancing
PACOM-New Zealand coordination and dialogue.
¶11. (C) Bairett said that the USG would like to see the ARF
do more, particularly on maritime security. He added that
the US does not have to be in the lead all the time and would
welcome other partners pushing the ARF to assume greater
ownership of this issue. New Zealand officials agreed,
noting that the GNZ is like minded and would like to see more
defense dialogue within the ARF.
Comment
-------
¶12. (C) GNZ officials were very appreciative of the visit
by Jessica Powers and Rick Bairett, particularly the update
on the status of the A-4 sale, which is increasingly of
concern to senior GNZ officials and a potential bilateral
irritant. Representatives of the various MOD offices
welcomed the opportunity to discuss the recent USG policy
shift from an operator/technical level, and the impact on
scheduled and planned activities over the next year. Both US
and NZ officials agreed that with the change in USG policy,
improved lines of communication are necessary as the
bilateral mil-to-mil relationship has shifted accordingly.
WELLINGTON 00000866 004.2 OF 004
To that end, GNZ officials were pleased to meet Major Bairett
and discuss enhanced NZ-PACOM coordination. End Comment.
¶13. (U) OSD Director Powers has cleared this message.
Keegan