GOL CONTRIBUTING TO NATO MISSION IN PAKISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001188 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2015 TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL PK LH SUBJECT: GOL CONTRIBUTING TO NATO MISSION IN PAKISTAN REF: A. SECSTATE 200915 ¶B. SECSTATE 196411 ¶C. VILNIUS 1136 Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Summary: The GOL is heeding NATO's call for contributions to its relief effort in Pakistan by sending water purifications specialists and equipment to the affected region under the Alliance's umbrella. This comes on top of the GOL's previous financial (104,000 USD) and material (tents and heaters) donations to international aid efforts. GOL officials are trying to leverage their military assets to play a meaningful role in this relief operation, while acknowledging that their ability to further increase financial contributions is limited. End summary. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador discussed ref A points November 2 with Minister of Defense Gediminas Kirkilas. Kirkilas reviewed Lithuania's contributions to Pakistan relief efforts thus far, and detailed plans to send the water purification team to Pakistan. US Air Force will move 10 troops from Lithuania to Pakistan on or about November 8. The GOL is working through NATO to transport two water purification trucks from Chaghcharan, Afghanistan, where they were in use by Lithuania's Provincial Reconstruction Team, to Pakistan. The GOL expects the trucks to reach Pakistan by November 12. This mission did not require parliamentary approval, but the MOD nonetheless sought and received support from the Foreign Affairs and National Security and Defense Committees. ¶3. (C) The Lithuanian military also scoured its inventory for Mi-17 helicopter parts in response to our request (ref B),but determined that it was unable to donate parts from its small inventory without compromising its own current operations. ¶4. (U) Laurynas Jonavicius of the MFA's Development Assistance Division told us November 4 that the GOL will likely not be able to increase its 104,000 USD donation in the future (ref C). ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The GOL's keenness to participate in NATO's Pakistan mission underscores its support for the broadened geographic and functional role the Alliance has taken on. Limited financial resources require the GOL to seek creative ways to contribute to international operations. MULL