LATVIA RE: IRAN - AGREE WITH USG POSITION, LOW

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000507

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2034
TAGS: IR KNNP LG MNUC PARM
SUBJECT: LATVIA RE: IRAN - AGREE WITH USG POSITION, LOW
PRIORITY, EXPLORING DIRECT AIR CONNECTION TO IRAN

REF: A. (A) RIGA 00491

B. (B) SECSTATE 103219

Classified By:
AMBASSADOR JUDITH GARBER FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (C) Summary: Latvia publicly supports the USG position
on Iran. This stance, could, however, be complicated
by the possibility of Latvia's national airline
pursuing a direct flight from Riga to Tehran. End Summary.


2. (C) Latvia fully supports the USG strategy to resolve
the Iranian nuclear issue and has publicly supported this
strategy. In response to last week's demarche regarding
negotiations with Iran (reftel A),the Latvian MFA issued a
press release expressing hope that the P5 1 negotiations
with Iran will succeed and stating that Iran should create
"confidence that its nuclear program is intended for purely
peaceful aims." This press release follows on the heels of
President Zatler's speech to the UN General Assembly, in
which he encouraged Iran to abide by the relevant UN
Security Council Resolutions.


3. (C) In response to reftel B demarche Raimonds Oskalns,
Head of the Arms Control Division at the Latvian MFA
said that Latvia will continue to speak up
regarding Iran, when appropriate, and will keep the issue
on the table at the EU. Mr. Oskalns also expressed concern
that the Iranians are using the negotiating process to buy
time and said that Latvia will probably not make new public
statements until they see whether or not Iran will keep the
promises listed in reftel B.


4. (C) Mr. Oskalns also stated that although Latvia
completely agrees with the USG position, Iran is not one of
Latvia's top foreign policy priorities. He noted that it
is difficult for him to convince higher ranking officials
in the MFA to closely follow the situation and to approve
public statements about Iran.


5. (C) According to Mr. Oskalns, Latvia currently has no
business ties to Iran, but he did disclose that Air
Baltic, the Latvian-government-controlled national airline,
is in the early stages of exploring a possible direct
flight from Riga to Tehran. He said that although the
Latvian government has political concerns regarding this
possible connection, the Transportation Ministry wants Air
Baltic to pursue the link, which they believe will be
profitable.


6. (C) Comment: Although Latvia agrees with the USG
position on Iran and actively supports that position, the
reality is that Latvia's attention will remain focused on
local and regional issues, including the current severe
economic crisis. End Comment.

GARBER