NATO COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS: UK SUPPORTIVE BUT

UNCLAS LONDON 001374 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/RPM PETER CHISHOLM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL NATO UK SUBJECT: NATO COUNTER-PIRACY OPERATIONS: UK SUPPORTIVE BUT HAS NO ASSETS TO OFFER REF: STATE 58992 (SBU) In response to reftel demarche, Foreign Office NATO Operations Desk Officer Ian Livingston told Poloff June 10 the UK Government welcomes further U.S. contributions to counter-piracy operations and agrees that further assets from all Allies are required. In addition, the UK supports moves to use the Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMGs) to support NATO,s counter-piracy operations, which Livingston termed a "sensible approach." He also reiterated the need for NATO and EU operations to be coordinated and complementary, with all working through the Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS). He said the UK agrees that involvement under one operational banner should not preclude further assets being made available under another operational banner, e.g. NATO, EU, or CTF 151. Livingston indicated, however, the UK is not in a position to offer further naval assets at this stage. He said the UK will continue to be involved and will continue to provide Northwood as an operational headquarters. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom LeBaron