NETHERLANDS: NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002860 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2015 TAGS: AEMR ASEC EAID MASS PGOV PREF PREL PK NL NATO SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: NATO SUPPORT TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF REF: STATE 194572 Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Chat Blakeman, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) National Security Advisor Rob Swartbol said October 21 that the Dutch are considering deploying a field hospital in conjunction with the Czechs as part of the international assistance relief efforts. The deployment could happen in "about a week" once the Dutch and Czechs finalize plans, he said. Swartbol added that all Dutch heavy-lift helicopters are currently deployed in Afghanistan, and that an engineering battalion would take too long (three to four weeks) to deploy. Swartbol made these comments in response to reftel points delivered by Charge. BLAKEMAN