PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 016063 SIPDIS DEPT - PLEASE PASS TO USAID KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2015 TAGS: PREL PK MASS PGOV EAID AEMR ASEC NATO UN SUBJECT: PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NATO ASSESSMENT DELEGATION REF: ISLAMABAD 16025 Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On October 25, Ambassador received USN VADM Stufflebeam, commander of the NATO team visiting Islamabad to coordinate NATO's earthquake relief deployment to Pakistan. VADM Stufflebeam told Ambassador that he would only be on the ground in Pakistan for the time necessary to conduct a Commander's assessment of the situation. He said that NATO has authorized an initial 90-day Rapid Response Force deployment. NATO has already identified two hospital units that can be deployed in support of earthquake relief: a Netherlands unit now in Afghanistan, but not currently being used by ISAF, and a Finnish unit. VADM Stufflebeam reviewed the components of the NATO deployment, saying that Spain would take the lead on light engineering, France on aviation and Italy on maritime transport. He said that the Government of Pakistan (GOP) has suggested that NATO operate out of the Lahore air field. He also noted that the UN has solicited a significant level of logistical support from the NATO mission. ¶2. (C) In response to VADM Stufflebeam's question, Ambassador discouraged locating the NATO operational center outside Islamabad, although it might make sense for NATO's air assets to work out of Lahore. The Ambassador described the long time horizon for clearing many of the major roads in northern Pakistan, which the U.S. has only begun to fully appreciate as it prepares to deploy an engineering battalion to restore the Neelum Valley road. He suggested that NATO take on a similar high-impact engineering project. Ambassador also alerted VADM Stufflebeam to Pakistani Army Aviation's need for MI-17 parts and maintenance support. Ambassador advised the NATO team to first become familiar with the Pakistan military operations and CENTCOM's Disaster Assistance Center - Pakistan (DAC-PAK) at Chaklala air field, then call on Federal Relief Coordinator MG Farooq to determine how NATO could support the GOP's operational priorities. Noting that the proposed early deployment of two hospitals would get the NATO mission off to a great start, Ambassador underscored the importance of all donors staying on point that we are here to support the GOP and people of Pakistan through this crisis. The Admiral concured. CROCKER