Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VILNIUS358
2005-04-06 14:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:  

LITHUANIAN-LED PRT: TAKING SHAPE

Tags:  MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV LH AF 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VILNIUS 000358 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, EUR/RPM (SWANDERSON),EUR/PM (SKWAK)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2015
TAGS: MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV LH AF
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN-LED PRT: TAKING SHAPE

REF: A. VILNIUS 257


B. VILNIUS 198

C. VILNIUS 103

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 VILNIUS 000358

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, EUR/RPM (SWANDERSON),EUR/PM (SKWAK)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2015
TAGS: MOPS MCAP PREL PGOV LH AF
SUBJECT: LITHUANIAN-LED PRT: TAKING SHAPE

REF: A. VILNIUS 257


B. VILNIUS 198

C. VILNIUS 103

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministry
officials told State POLAD designee to the Lithuania-led PRT
Michael Metrinko March 30 - April 1 that Lithuania is moving
forward with plans to lead a multinational provincial
reconstruction team in Chaghcharan, Afghanistan. The
Lithuanians, some just back from a reconnaissance mission to
Chaghcharan, were confident that they will establish a base
camp before the onset of winter. On April 2, the MFA
provided a copy of an updated (but still notional) list for
SHAPE detailing Lithuania's resource requirements to
establish and sustain the PRT, based on their new
understanding of the PRT site. Metrinko counseled the
Lithuanians on the composition of their team, the
establishment of PRT goals, and the challenges they will face
in Western Afghanistan. The way forward includes
coordination of the PRT players -- both the interagency
players within Lithuania and multilaterally through SHAPE.
END SUMMARY.

--------------
The Mission
--------------


2. (C) MOD Undersecretary Renatas Norkus defined the PRT's
goal as "helping the Ghowr provincial government connect to
the Karzai central government." Over the course of three
days of meetings with Michael Metrinko, Norkus and others
acknowledged that the mission would initially focus on
security and gradually expand to civil reconstruction and
development projects. Norkus was candid about the MOD's lack
of experience with this type of work and the need for USAID
and U.S. State assistance and resources to execute such
projects.

--------------
Deployment Timeline
--------------


3. (C) Lt. Col. Gintautas Zenkevicius, whom the GOL has
designated as commander for the initial PRT deployment,
expressed confidence that initial operations will begin in
mid- or late June and that the PRT would be fully operational

by mid October. Norkus said that Lithuania had preliminary
commitments from the UK to provide language training prior to
deployment. Metrinko met with Zenkevicius on March 31, one
day after the Lithuanian commander had returned from
Afghanistan. Raising various challenges of operating in
Ghowr Province, Zenkevicius said he intended the PRT to
operate in Chaghcharan throughout the winter in order to
maintain credibility with the local residents and to avoid
having to rebuild their facilities from year to year.
Zenkevicius's main concern regarding timing is the GOL's
dependence on the establishment of a fully functional forward
support base in Herat by the time the Lithuanians are
in-theater. Lithuanian advance elements will be on the
ground in Kabul and Herat by early May to coordinate with
ISAF and contractors.

--------------
Deployment Size
--------------


4. (C) Zenkevicius told us he plans to deploy a contingent of
upwards of 100 troops, possibly increasing the number as the
mission progresses. The MOD has asked the Lithuanian
Parliament (Seimas) to raise the current ceiling of 70 troops
deployable in Afghanistan to 150. MFA POLAD designee Danius
Baublys, who has followed this initiative, said he expects
the Seimas to take up the authorizing bill the week of April

4. Vaclov Stankevic and Rasa Jukneviciene, respectively
Chair and Deputy of the Seimas NATO Commission, expressed
solid commitment to Lithuania's playing an active role in
NATO operations, and voice support for the PRT, which
Stankevic termed a "responsible and honorable task."

--------------
Building a PRT
--------------


5. (U) Returning from their reconnaissance mission better
informed about the PRT site's challenges and resource
limitations, the GOL revised its list of resource
requirements. The list, which the GOL will present to SHAPE
and which we faxed April 4 to EUR and PM, represents the
complete needs assessment of the full scale PRT. The list
details Lithuania's projected needs for strategic airlift for
deployment and sustainment of the PRT; personnel equipment
and capabilities to maintain the airfield; and equipment for
the PRT and base camp operations. It also outlines training
requirements for specialized drivers and mechanics and for a
tactical air control party. The resident U.S. Cubic
representative, the defense contractor that advises the MOD,
accompanied the GOL team to Chaghcharan and helped develop
the list. He explained that the list is a compendium, and
acknowledges that it includes some items Lithuania has
already requested through other channels. (More complete
evaluation of the list will follow septel.)


6. (C) Zenkevicius said he would build the PRT base camp
using local materials (stone) and local labor, and agreed
with Metrinko on the value of leaving behind a useful
facility when the PRT withdraws. MFA Director of Security
Policy Kestutis Jankauskas raised a potential problem, noting
that, although the recon team had identified a site for the
base camp, they had been unable to determine ownership of the
land. Metrinko cautioned against beginning construction
before identifying the owner, to forestall any claims to the
completed structures. (NOTE: With no diplomatic mission in
Kabul, the GOL may need assistance in securing title to the
property.) Zenkevicius described the forward support base
and winter conditions as his biggest concerns, and outlined
his priorities as construction of shelter, storage, and food
preparation facilities for the PRT base. Metrinko cautioned
the GOL not to rely on availability of contractors,
construction know-how, or materials, and advised them to plan
for delays.


7. (C) Metrinko told MFA Undersecretary Dalius Cekuolis that
"Lithuania's presence will be the model by which local
residents of Chaghcharan judge the world." He suggested that
Zenkevicius initiate civil activities as soon after arrival
as possible, and not focus exclusively on constructing the
camp. Metrinko further suggested the team include members,
either from the military or other agencies, with locally
appropriate (if not essential) skills, including animal
husbandry, tree planting, sanitation, construction and
carpentry, automotive mechanics, and engineering, who could
be of service both to the PRT and to the community. He
warned against minimizing the difficulties of procuring and
storing essential supplies, including adequate stores of fuel
and water, should the PRT be unable to keep the airstrip open
during the winter. Metrinko advocated beginning operations
with a small deployment, and expanding the numbers and the
base camp in the future. Jankauskas told us, April 2, that
the GOL is considering adopting Metrinko's recommendations
and initially deploying two mobile units.

--------------
Building Public Support
--------------


8. (C) Local officials told us the PRT mission clearly
establishes Lithuania's new position in the international
arena, moving, as MP Jukneviciene said, "from a nation that
receives support to one that offers it." Jukneviciene and
Stankevic identified a lack of public awareness or
understanding of this new role, and are eager to explore
ideas for engaging the community in the country's overseas
commitments. They discussed the possibility of establishing
a Sister Cities program between Lithuanian and Ghowr towns,
linking Lithuanian and Afghan schools through contribution of
educational materials, and bringing Afghans to Lithuania for
study trips or summer camps. We also suggested that troops
returning from PRT assignments could be made available to
talk about the work they did and how it affected the lives of
the Afghan people. MOD officials also recognize that this
deployment could strain military families, and looked to us
to learn about the extensive support structure on which U.S.
military families rely.

--------------
The Road Ahead
--------------


9. (C) To ensure that planning for the PRT involves all GOL
elements, Norkus said that Lithuania will convene an
interagency coordinating council, patterning it on the
Euro-Atlantic Commission that had orchestrated Lithuania's
preparations for NATO membership. (We understand that the
MFA may lead this council.) In mid-April, Lithuania will
also host a force generation meeting with PRT partners.
--------------
Comment
--------------


10. (C) The reconnaissance mission to Chaghcharan provided a
reality check for Lithuanian PRT planners, but it did not
dissuade them from taking on this ambitious mission.
Metrinko's visit and assignment to the PRT was an important
step in progression of the planners' learning curve. Already
on the ground in Afghanistan, Metrinko could be of
considerable use to the Lithuanians if he remains either in
Herat or Kabul until initial operations begin. In either
location, he might conveniently address GOL questions,
identify resources and contacts, and generally smooth the way
for the arrival of the PRT advance, who will have precious
little time to waste if they are to meet their current
timeline.
Mull