Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIGA610
2007-08-10 12:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
how-toVZCZCXRO7104 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRA #0610 2221202 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 101202Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIGA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4267 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSI/AMEMBASSY TBILISI PRIORITY 0117
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)
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
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