Minutes of 10Th Pmsc Meeting

PMSC SECRETARIAT

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE 10 th PMSC MEETING ISTANBUL, 24-25 SEPTEMBER 2003

The 10th Meeting of the PMSC was held in Istanbul on 24-25 September 2003. The following annexes are attached to this document: Annex "A": List of Participants Annex “B”: Agenda of the 10th PMSC Meeting Annex “C”: The way ahead for HQ SEEBRIG Certification Process by NATO Annex “D”: Initial Press Release for EX VIKING 03

ITEM I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (CHAIRMAN)

The proposed agenda was adopted (Annex B).

ITEM II. UPDATE ON PMSC ACTIVITIES (CHAIRMAN)

The Chairman made a statement welcoming the Representatives and expressed that he was honored to take over the Chairmanship of PMSC from NA 6 as of 25 July 2003. Having expressed his appreciation for Mr. Ovidiu Dranga, former Chairman of PMSC and Major General Andreas Kouzelis, former COMSEEBRIG, the Chairman emphasized that the Turkish Chairmanship will continue to use MPFSEE initiative to promote peace and stability in the region.

The Chairman also extended his special gratitude for the outstanding effort made by NA 2 in hosting HQ SEEBRIG for the first four years, and NA 6’s efficient organization as well as Its preparations for the relocation of HQ SEEBRIG from Plovdiv to Constanta at the end of June 2003.

The Chairman presented a record of PMSC activities since the 9th PMSC Meeting in Sinaia on 12-13 March 2003.

ITEM III. UPDATE ON SEEBRIG ACTIVITIES (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG extended his gratitude to the former COMSEEBRIGs for their efforts and assured that SEEBRIG would continue to move forward towards the deployment in a UN or OSCE mandated NATO-led Peace Support Operation (PSO).

COMSEEBRIG presented a record of SEEBRIG activities since the 9th PMSC Meeting and informed the PMSC on the completed important activities stated herein below:

- The third tour of the evaluation visits to Nation, 1,2 and 5 units, - The re-location of the HQ, Hand-Over/Take-Over of command and rotation of NS,

1 - The approval of SEEBRIG Generic Deployment Plan by the Nations on 17 June 2003. - Conduct of the financial audit at the HQ SEEBRIG on 12-15 May 2003. - The completion of the work on updating SEEBRIG SOPs.

COMSEEBRIG also briefed the PMSC on SEEBRIG medium term activities and in this context pointed out the realization of the CIS project as the most important issue.

COMSEEBRIG subsequently gave a summary on SEEBRIG Exercise activities and proposed to get approval for the press communiqué of Exercise VIKING 03 to be conducted on 02-12 December 2003 in Constanta. Approval was given with the stipulation that the press communiqué would be released to local and international media not earlier than 15 November 2003. The text of the press release is attached in Annex D.

ITEM IV. UPDATE AND STATUS REPORT ON CIS PROJECT

a. PRESENTATION BY COMSEEBRIG

COMSEEBRIG presented the latest CIS developments stressing that the CIS project was behind its delivery schedule and emphasized the need for training on the system.

The Representative of HQ SEEBRIG stated that NA 3 had delivered five mobile platforms to HQ SEEBRIG in July 03 IAW the CIS equipment delivery schedule.

The Chairman expressed his thanks and appreciation on behalf of the PMSC to NA 1 and accepted its offer to contribute 50.000 USD to the SEEBRIG CIS project.

b. PRESENTATION BY USA

The USA presented an update on the latest US developments in the SEEBRIG CIS project. It advised the PMSC that the current estimated date for delivery of the CIS equipment is mid-January 2004.

c. PRESENTATION BY NA 7

The Representative of Nation 7 updated the PMSC on the latest NA 7 developments on the SEEBRIG CIS project, and indicated that delays experienced in the CIS project were not technical but the result of lengthy diplomatic procedures concerning end-use and re-transfer assurances. NA 7 requested the USA to speed up the delivery preferably to the end of Oct. 2003.

In response the US stated that shipment of the CIS equipment from the US was unlikely to begin before Nov. 03.

The general understanding for the completion date of the project was by mid- January with reference to a desirable earlier date.

2 ITEM V. APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL PLAN FOR EXERCISES IN 2004 (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG presented the Exercise Plan for 2004 that had been developed before the 11-12 Sept. 03 staff talks between HQ SEEBRIG and RHQ AFSOUTH regarding certification for NATO deployment. The PMSC tasked COMSEEBRIG to make the necessary amendments to merge the SEEBRIG Draft Annual Plan for 2004 with the Certification Plan defined by RHQ AFSOUTH, and submit the revised Annual Plan to the PMSC Secretariat NLT 13 Oct. 2003.

It was agreed that the PMSC Secretariat would circulate this plan to MPFSEE Nations for their approval under silence procedure ending on 20 Oct 03.

ITEM VI. APPROVAL OF HQ SEEBRIG TRAINING PLAN FOR 2004 (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG presented the HQ SEEBRIG Training Plan for 2004.

In view of the way ahead for SEEBRIG deployment presented by RHQ AFSOUTH, the PMSC tasked COMSEEBRIG to revise the proposed Training Plan for 2004 and to submit it to the PMSC Secretariat NLT 13 Oct. 03. The PMSC Secretariat will circulate this plan to MPFSEE Nations for their approval under silence procedure ending on 20 Oct. 03.

ITEM VII APPROVAL OF HQ SEEBRIG TRAVEL PLAN FOR 2004 (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG presented the HQ SEEBRIG Travel Plan for 2004.

Taking into consideration the way ahead for SEEBRIG deployment presented by RHQ AFSOUTH, the PMSC tasked COMSEEBRIG to revise the proposed Travel Plan for 2004 and to submit it to the PMSC Secretariat NLT 13 Oct. 03. The PMSC Secretariat will circulate this plan to MPFSEE Nations for their approval under silence procedure ending on 20 Oct. O3.

ITEM VIII APPROVAL OF SEEBRIG SOPs (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG briefed the PMSC on the new and revised SOPs drafted in 2003 in accordance with the lessons learned from exercises conducted so far. Nations agreed to consider the amendments proposed by Nation 4 while observing the silence procedure ending on 30 Sept 03. It was also decided that COMSEEBRIG would work on the proposals and make necessary amendments to the respective SOPs to be issued to the Nations once again for their approval.

3 ITEM IX. PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSION ON SEEBRIG DEPLOYMENT IN A NATO-LED OPERATION

a. STATUS REPORT BY COMSEEBRIG

COMSEEBRIG informed the PMSC on the visit of SEEBRIG delegation on 16 June 2003 to RHQ AFSOUTH in order to initiate coordination on SEEBRIG employment in PSO.

COMSEEBRIG also gave information on the visit of an evaluation team from RHQ AFSOUTH to HQ SEEBRIG on 11-12 September 2003 with the objective of preparing an evaluation plan for SEEBRIG deployment in a NATO-led PSO.

COMSEEBRIG proposed the following way ahead for SEEBRIG in order to fulfill the evaluation criteria as defined by RHQ AFSOUTH:

 Revision of proposed SEEBRIG Annual Exercise Plan for 2004  Revision of proposed SEEBRIG Travel Plan for 2004  Determine personnel requirements for CE and NS to meet NATO certification criteria  Revision of proposed SEEBRIG Budget Plan for 2004  Development of Training Plan for CE and NS  Revision of operational documentation (GOP, DIRs) if deemed necessary  Development of new SOPs in accordance with NATO standards if deemed necessary  Coordination with nominated NATO HQ (RHQ AFSOUTH)  Testing of SEEBRIG CIS with NATO standards

The PMSC approved these proposals and tasked COMSEEBRIG to further develop them in order to meet the certification criteria. The PMSC also tasked COMSEEBRIG to submit NLT 13 Oct. 03 a recommended way ahead highlighting the major milestones required for NATO certification.

The PMSC agreed that this recommended way ahead would be presented for endorsement to the MPFSEE DMODs at their Annual DSEDM Meeting in Tirana on 24 October 2003, and to the MPFSEE MODs for approval at the Annual SEDM Meeting in Zagreb on 19 November 2003.

b. THE WAY AHEAD FOR SEEBRIG INVOLVEMENT IN A NATO-LED OPERATION (RHQ AFSOUTH)

The Representative of RHQ AFSOUTH informed the PMSC on the background of and on the way ahead for SEEBRIG involvement in a NATO-led operation. NATO representative underlined that the Assessment Team would focus on evaluating HQ SEEBRIG, HQ Coy. and Sig Coy. The way ahead for HQ SEEBRIG certification process is attached in Annex C.

The AFSOUTH Representative highlighted the need of NATO certification for SEEBRIG designated units.

4  Specifying that NATO countries may certify their own units.  Indicating for non-NATO Nation units two possible solutions, to be evaluated on request directly by NATO or to be included in a NATO Nation unit which would have the responsibility to validate them following the NATO procedures.

c. DISCUSSION ON THE DEPLOYMENT BY NATIONS

Nations extended their views and opinions concerning the deployment of SEEBRIG in a NATO-led operation and agreed to adopt the certification process presented by RHQ AFSOUTH for SEEBRIG involvement in a NATO-led operation. Nations also reiterated that they agreed to make the necessary amendments to all relevant plans for 2004 in order to fulfill the requirements of the RHQ AFSOUTH way ahead.

ITEM X. PRESENTATION ON THE MILITARY-CIVIL EMERGENCY PLANNING ENGINEER SEMINAR

a. GENERAL OUTCOME OF THE SEMINAR (USA AND NA 2)

The Representatives of USA and NA 2 presented the general outcome of the MCEP Seminar held in Plovdiv on 26-30 May 03. The US stated that representatives of all SEDM Nations concluded that Disaster Relief Operations might be a part of PSO and that SEEBRIG’s current force structure renders it incapable of conducting the full spectrum of DRO missions.

b. INTRODUCTION ON THE SEEBRIG DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS WG MEETING (CONCEPT AND TOR) (COMSEEBRIG)

COMSEEBRIG briefly outlined the SEDRO Concept and TOR developed by SEDROWG during the MCEP Seminar.

NA 3 expressed the position that PSO should remain the primary focus for SEEBRIG and DRO tasks may be assumed within means and capabilities. Therefore, SEDRO Concept and TORs should be revised accordingly.

The PMSC noted the proposal of Nation 3 to revise the DRO Concept and TOR and agreed to wait until the expiry of the silence procedure on 1 October 2003 before proceeding further.

ITEM XI. FINANCIAL ISSUES

The PMSC endorsed the Budget Plan for FY 2004 and agreed to forward it to the MPFSEE Ministers for their approval at SEDM Meeting in Zagreb on 19 Nov 03. The PMSC tasked COMSEEBRIG to inform the Defense Ministers of MPFSEE Nations on the financial implications of SEEBRIG NATO certification criteria. The MPFSEE Ministers’ decision is required in order to draft the mid-term financial plans of SEEBRIG.

The PMSC also decided in case if need arises for supplementary funding of additional costs, outside the normal funding cycle, to fulfill the requirements of the way ahead for SEEBRIG deployment in a NATO-led PSO, which cannot be accommodated within

5 current budgetary limits; requests and detailed justification will be submitted by COMSEEBRIG to the PMSC for approval IAW MPFSEE Agreement, Annex E, Art. 5.

The PMSC authorized COMSEEBRIG to transfer funds up to 20% amount within the chapters of total approved Budget 2004.

ITEM XII. PRESENTATION ON EXERCISE EURASIAN STAR 04 AND APPROVAL OF SEEBRIG PARTICIPATION (NA 7)

NA 7 Representative made a presentation on Exercise EURASIAN STAR 04 and proposed the participation of SEEBRIG in the Exercise. The PMSC approved the participation of SEEBRIG in the Exercise with Response Cell.

ITEM XIII. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a. REPRESENTATION OF SEEBRIG AT SHAPE BY NA 4 NMR (CHAIRMAN)

The Chairman requested NA 4 Representative to inform NA 4 NMR to represent SEEBRIG at SHAPE.

ITEM XIV. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The PMSC agreed to hold its next meeting in Ankara in March 2004.

ITEM XV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

PMSC approved the Minutes of the 10th PMSC Meeting.

Uğur ERGUN Ambassador CHAIRMAN OF SEDM-CC AND PMSC COL. Ali DEMiRAL CHIEF OF SEDM-CC AND PMSC SECRETARIAT