FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR ESTONIAN INDIRECT FIRE

UNCLAS TALLINN 000297 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y - ADDITION OF PARA 3. SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ACE DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA JOHANNA KNOCH DEPARTMENT FOR PM/PPA SCOTT KWAK JCS J5 FOR COL MIETUS SECDEF FOR LT COL FENTON EUCOM FOR MAJ KLINGMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID MARR MASS MCAP PREL EN SUBJECT: FY10 1206 FUNDS REQUEST FOR ESTONIAN INDIRECT FIRE CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT NEEDS REF: STATE 92407 ¶1. Post has submitted a request for 2.01 million USD in 1206 funding to materially increase Estonian indirect fire capabilities for current and future NATO ISAF and other operations in key theaters worldwide. The Chief of Mission has approved this request. Post's Office of Defense Cooperation delivered the completed submission templates to EUCOM. ¶2. Estonia faces a critical need for replacement of current 81mm mortar systems nearing the end of their life cycle. Estonian forces rely on this equipment in their overseas deployments. The Estonian military currently has 13.5 percent of its forces deployed on NATO missions abroad - perhaps the highest level of any NATO member. The GOE is looking for additional deployment opportunities, particularly any that would allow their military to jointly deploy with U.S. forces. Estonia deployed troops to Iraq from 2003 to 2008 (withdrawing them only after Iraq failed to negotiate a SOFA),and has participated in KFOR since 1999. The Estonian military has been supporting Coalition Forces in Afghanistan since 2002, and currently has two infantry companies operating without caveats in Helmand Province. Afghanistan is Estonia's main military and foreign policy priority, and the GOE is seeking ways to increase its contributions to peace and security. Continued deployments in support of Coalition Forces are part of EDF and Estonian MOD policy. Estonia also currently has smaller contributions in Bosnia, Iraq (NTM-I),the Middle East (UNTSO) and NRF-13. In using 1206 funds to support the Estonian military, the USG will significantly enhance this NATO partner's ability to effectively operate in stability operations abroad and provide a significant improvement to Estonia's regional defense capabilities. Moreover, given the Estonian military's intense desire to work with U.S. forces, providing this support will directly assist in U.S. operations. ¶3. Post is not aware of any credible evidence of gross violations of human rights by the units proposed to receive assistance. ¶4. ODC Estonia POC for this project is LTC Robert R. Williams at 372-607-7652, rwilliams@san.osd.mil or Williamsrr@state.sgov.gov. NORDBERG