(C) LATVIAN REQUEST FOR U.S. AIR SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000496 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/22/2016 TAGS: PREL MOPS ASEC NATO LG SUBJECT: (C) LATVIAN REQUEST FOR U.S. AIR SECURITY ASSITANCE FOR NATO SUMMIT REF: 05 STATE 82980 Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason 1.4 (a & d) ¶1. (U) This is a request for guidance from Washington agencies. See para 3. ¶2. (C/NOFORN) In a letter to Ambassador Bailey, the GOL has presented a request for USG assistance with air security for the period of the NATO Summit in Riga, November 28-29, 2006 (see para 4 below). In making this request, the GOL is keying off its experience with the President's visit to Riga in May 2005. However, that was a bilateral event. We are aware that there are ongoing NATO discussions on security arrangements for the summit. However, should the USG decide to provide some air security assistance on a bilateral basis, we believe that the Latvians would have no problem agreeing to the arrangements for the May 2005 visit reflected in an exchange of notes that provided SOFA and liability arrangements (reftel). ¶3. (C/NOFORN) Guidance request: Post requests that Washington agencies provide text for a response to the GOL. ¶4. (C/REL Latvia) Begin text of Latvian letter: Dear Ambassador, I would like to draw your attention to an issue of importance concerning the upcoming NATO summit of the heads of state and governments to be held in Riga on 28-29 November, 2006. The Government of Latvia has already devoted a lot of effort to the technical and administrative arrangements for the summit as well as to ensure the security of the event and its participants. As you know, the current model for NATO air policing in the Baltic States does not address the threats posed by renegade planes. Latvia does not posses the means to counter these threats either. Taking into account the previous positive experience of cooperation between our countries, the Government of Latvia has decided to request the authorities of the United States to enter into a bilateral arrangement regarding the temporary deployment of United States Air Force aircraft to provide security against airborne threats, including renegade planes. If the foregoing is acceptable to the authorities of the United States I would propose to start bilateral negotiations on the details of the deployment and Agreement on the status of forces. I am convinced that the exelent (sic) tradition of cooperation between our countries in defence matters will benefit from the joint efforts to ensure security of the NATO summit in Riga - the main event of this year not only for the Transatlantic community but also global security. I look forward to strengthening our cooperation. Sincerely, /s/ Atis Slakteris Minister of Defence Bailey