VZCZCXRO7106
PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHRA #0611 2221204
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101204Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4268
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000611
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2012 TAGS: PREL SNAR MOPS AF LG SUBJECT: LATVIA/AFGHANISTAN: CN PLAN AND TROUBLES WITH CIVILIAN DEPLOYMENTS
(C) Pol/econ chief delivered reftel points on our counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan to MFA PolDir Ilgvars Klava August 10. Klava appreciated the information on our policy and pledged to share with relevant parts of the GOL. He lamented difficulties in enhancing Latvia's civilian contribution to Afghanistan. Two police officers had recently gone over to help on law enforcement matters, but getting them there and supporting them was proving difficult for the Latvians, who lack experience providing civilian support to missions outside of Europe. Also, the MFA political advisor to the Latvian troops in ISAF will be departing by the end of the month, but is only funded through 2007, Klava said. Efforts to work with the Finance and Defense Ministries to fund the position, as well as a development assistance coordinator, for 2008 have stalled and it is unclear whether they will be able to find the money for next year. BAILEY