Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TALLINN41
2007-01-22 13:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tallinn
Cable title:
ESTONIA: GOALS FOR AFGHANISTAN AT JANUARY 26
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTL #0041 0221332 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221332Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY TALLINN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9445 INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 0020 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0026
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000041
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: GOALS FOR AFGHANISTAN AT JANUARY 26
INFORMAL NATO FOREIGN MINISTERIAL
REF: SECSTATE 4834
Classified By: CDA Jeff Goldstein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000041
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: GOALS FOR AFGHANISTAN AT JANUARY 26
INFORMAL NATO FOREIGN MINISTERIAL
REF: SECSTATE 4834
Classified By: CDA Jeff Goldstein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) On January 20, Acting DCM and Pol/Econ Chief
delivered reftel points on goals for Afghanistan at the
January 26 informal Foreign Ministerial to Arti Hilpus, MFA
Director for Security Policy and Arms Control. Hilpus
welcomed the information about the meeting, expressed
regret that Foreign Minister Paet will not be able to
attend, because of a previously planned trip to China, and
noted that Harri Tiido, Estonia's Ambassador to NATO will
attend the meeting in Brussels on the 26th.
2. (C) With respect to increasing military commitments,
Hilpus emphasized that Estonia is "at its max" and that an
increase in Estonia's contributions is unlikely in the
foreseeable future. (Note: Estonia increased its troop
contributions in Afghanistan to 130 at the end of 2006.
End Note.) Aside from having troops in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Bosnia and Kosovo, Estonia is also obligated to contribute
resources to a Joint Baltic Battalion and an EU Battle
Group. Hilpus also reaffirmed that Estonia does not have
caveats on its forces participating in ISAF and so has
"nothing to lift". ADCM noted that Estonia can help by
urging other Allies to follow its example in this regard.
3. (C) On the civilian side, Hilpus reaffirmed that Estonia
has had a diplomat posted in Helmand province since
September 2006, who coordinates the GOE's development
assistance program and serves as Charge in Kabul. Estonia
began providing development assistance to Afghanistan in
2006, spending about USD 75,000 on medical equipment. In
2007, the GOE will spend about USD 125,000. In March, the
GOE plans to send a second civilian to serve as an advisor
to Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense. Estonia also will
contribute a police officer to a planned European Security
and Defense Policy (ESDP) police training mission in
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Hilpus emphasized the need for greater NATO-EU
coordination and comprehensive planning. He noted that
Estonia's representative at the January 26 Ministerial will
raise this issue.
GOLDSTEIN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2017
TAGS: NATO PINS PREL MARR MOPS
SUBJECT: ESTONIA: GOALS FOR AFGHANISTAN AT JANUARY 26
INFORMAL NATO FOREIGN MINISTERIAL
REF: SECSTATE 4834
Classified By: CDA Jeff Goldstein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) On January 20, Acting DCM and Pol/Econ Chief
delivered reftel points on goals for Afghanistan at the
January 26 informal Foreign Ministerial to Arti Hilpus, MFA
Director for Security Policy and Arms Control. Hilpus
welcomed the information about the meeting, expressed
regret that Foreign Minister Paet will not be able to
attend, because of a previously planned trip to China, and
noted that Harri Tiido, Estonia's Ambassador to NATO will
attend the meeting in Brussels on the 26th.
2. (C) With respect to increasing military commitments,
Hilpus emphasized that Estonia is "at its max" and that an
increase in Estonia's contributions is unlikely in the
foreseeable future. (Note: Estonia increased its troop
contributions in Afghanistan to 130 at the end of 2006.
End Note.) Aside from having troops in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Bosnia and Kosovo, Estonia is also obligated to contribute
resources to a Joint Baltic Battalion and an EU Battle
Group. Hilpus also reaffirmed that Estonia does not have
caveats on its forces participating in ISAF and so has
"nothing to lift". ADCM noted that Estonia can help by
urging other Allies to follow its example in this regard.
3. (C) On the civilian side, Hilpus reaffirmed that Estonia
has had a diplomat posted in Helmand province since
September 2006, who coordinates the GOE's development
assistance program and serves as Charge in Kabul. Estonia
began providing development assistance to Afghanistan in
2006, spending about USD 75,000 on medical equipment. In
2007, the GOE will spend about USD 125,000. In March, the
GOE plans to send a second civilian to serve as an advisor
to Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense. Estonia also will
contribute a police officer to a planned European Security
and Defense Policy (ESDP) police training mission in
Afghanistan.
4. (C) Hilpus emphasized the need for greater NATO-EU
coordination and comprehensive planning. He noted that
Estonia's representative at the January 26 Ministerial will
raise this issue.
GOLDSTEIN