Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIGA55
2007-01-22 06:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:
LATVIAN VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN AND KOSOVO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRA #0055 0220654 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 220654Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIGA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3711 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO YI AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIAN VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN AND KOSOVO
REF: A) STATE 4834 B) STATE 5652
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO YI AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIAN VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN AND KOSOVO
REF: A) STATE 4834 B) STATE 5652
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Ambassador met Foreign Minister Pabriks January 18 to
discuss points in reftels on Afghanistan and Kosovo. Pabriks
asserted that Latvia remained committed to sending additional
troops to ISAF, although the Ministry of Defense was still
working on when it would be possible to get additional troops
into theater. He said he was fully on board on Kosovo
policy, as outlined by the Ambassador. We understand that on
the basis of our approach, Latvia has resumed its search for
an appropriate trainer to send to Afghanistan as part of the
NATO-Russia Council's counter narcotics project.
2. (C) Defense Attache explored Afghanistan policy in greater
detail with MOD officials. Latvia will develop this spring a
comprehensive, interagency strategy for Afghanistan, looking
at how it can best make use of its limited resources there.
The envisioned deployment of an additional company to ISAF is
limited by currently high operational tempo and the need to
partner with another nation for logistical support and may be
delayed until early 2008. However, Latvia will look to
increase its contribution to ISAF this year to 72 personnel
by summer (up from the current 36). In addition to CN
trainers as noted above, Latvia is also looking to contribute
funds (roughly 50,000 USD) to development projects in the
area around Maymana where it currently serves in the
Norwegian PRT.
3. (C) Separately, Latvian Poldir Ilgvars Klava underscored
to Pol/Econ chief that Latvia did not support further delays
in the Kosovo status process, saying that delay would only
lead to instability there, further stretching an already
strained alliance. He added that Latvia would likely
participate in the ESDP security mission in either
Afghanistan or Kosovo, but not both. Once the EU had full
plans for both missions, Latvia would decide which was the
better fit.
BAILEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2017
TAGS: MOPS PREL NATO YI AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIAN VIEWS ON AFGHANISTAN AND KOSOVO
REF: A) STATE 4834 B) STATE 5652
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Ambassador met Foreign Minister Pabriks January 18 to
discuss points in reftels on Afghanistan and Kosovo. Pabriks
asserted that Latvia remained committed to sending additional
troops to ISAF, although the Ministry of Defense was still
working on when it would be possible to get additional troops
into theater. He said he was fully on board on Kosovo
policy, as outlined by the Ambassador. We understand that on
the basis of our approach, Latvia has resumed its search for
an appropriate trainer to send to Afghanistan as part of the
NATO-Russia Council's counter narcotics project.
2. (C) Defense Attache explored Afghanistan policy in greater
detail with MOD officials. Latvia will develop this spring a
comprehensive, interagency strategy for Afghanistan, looking
at how it can best make use of its limited resources there.
The envisioned deployment of an additional company to ISAF is
limited by currently high operational tempo and the need to
partner with another nation for logistical support and may be
delayed until early 2008. However, Latvia will look to
increase its contribution to ISAF this year to 72 personnel
by summer (up from the current 36). In addition to CN
trainers as noted above, Latvia is also looking to contribute
funds (roughly 50,000 USD) to development projects in the
area around Maymana where it currently serves in the
Norwegian PRT.
3. (C) Separately, Latvian Poldir Ilgvars Klava underscored
to Pol/Econ chief that Latvia did not support further delays
in the Kosovo status process, saying that delay would only
lead to instability there, further stretching an already
strained alliance. He added that Latvia would likely
participate in the ESDP security mission in either
Afghanistan or Kosovo, but not both. Once the EU had full
plans for both missions, Latvia would decide which was the
better fit.
BAILEY