GUIDANCE FOR SEPTEMBER 16 NAC ON EXERCISE BALTIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 096011 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL AA MOPS RS EN LG LH BO SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR SEPTEMBER 16 NAC ON EXERCISE BALTIC HOST REF: A. STATE 92638 ¶B. USNATO 386 ¶C. USNATO 379 Classified By: Acting EUR PDAS Stu Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) We understand that Estonia plans to raise at the September 16 NAC the question of NATO participation in Exercise Baltic Host 2010. If this issue is raised, in response USNATO is authorized to suggest that Allies begin consideration of Alliance participation in Baltic Host 2010 in the context of a broader discussion on the role of, and the Alliance,s plans for, NATO exercises. The Department believes exercises such as Baltic Host 2010 can serve as a small but important component of a comprehensive NATO program of activities. However, Allies will need to develop that program together to address the range of challenges NATO faces and balance the concerns of individual Allies. Further, we request that USNATO take the opportunity to request further information from Estonia on the exercise, to allow the U.S. and Allies to make an informed decision on NATO participation. ¶2. (C) Russian military activity will naturally inform such a broader discussion. However, Washington agrees with the Mission that we should avoid any impression that the U.S. seeks to discuss at NATO how to "respond" to recent Russian military exercises. The question of NATO participation in events such as Baltic Host 2010 is and should be kept distinct from a discussion on specific Russian military exercises. If Allies revisit the issue of Zapad 09, Mission should draw on the points provided in REF A. CLINTON