LATVIA STANDING UP FOR GEORGIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000610 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017 TAGS: PREL NATO GG LG SUBJECT: LATVIA STANDING UP FOR GEORGIA REF: TBILISI 1993 Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Latvia is concerned about the missile impact in Georgia and frustrated by the weak reaction of the Portuguese presidency of the EU. While urging NATO support for Georgia through a NAC briefing and possible NAC visit to Georgia, Latvia will send a person to participate in the international experts groups that the Georgians are forming. End summary. ¶2. (C) In an August 10, meeting with MFA PolDir Ilgvars Klava, Pol/econ chief reviewed recent events in Georgia. Klava said that FM Pabriks had spoken with his Georgian counterpart on August 8 and, as a result, Latvia spoke up at the NAC that day to urge support for Georgia. Pabriks issued his own press statement, which lamented the encroachment on Georgian air sovereignty, but stopped short of accusing Russia of the violation. ¶3. (C) Klava said that President Zatlers would call President Saakashvili later on August 10 to reaffirm Latvian support for Georgia and to say that Latvia would be willing to supply one member for the international experts group Georgia is forming to investigate the incident. ¶4. (C) In terms of further NATO steps, Klava supported the idea of Georgian briefing to the NAC at some point and said that the incident led him to believe that we should move forward on the oft-dicussed idea of a NAC visit to Georgia. ¶5. (C) Klava expressed disappointment that the Portuguese presidency had sent a message to EU capitals saying that there was no need for an EU reaction. According to Klava, the British immediately objected to the Presidency and Latvia had also done so. Klava understood that several Central and Eastern European states, including Lithuania, were likely to do the same and urge a statement of EU support for Georgia. ¶6. (C) Comment: We are encouraged that the Latvians are being so (realtively) active on this. Too often on issues like this, they are unwilling to speak up or play an active role. It is not immediately obvious what has spurred them on in this case, but we should find ways to let them know that their engagement is noticed and welcome. BAILEY