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