Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10RIGA89
2010-02-22 15:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:
LATVIA IN AFGHANISTAN: UNABLE TO PROVIDE MORE TROOPS BUT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0017 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHRA #0089 0531550 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221550Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY RIGA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0079 INFO RUEHRA/AMEMBASSY RIGA
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000089
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/02/22
TAGS: PREL NATO AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA IN AFGHANISTAN: UNABLE TO PROVIDE MORE TROOPS BUT
INCREASING CIVILIAN ASSISTANCE
REF: STATE 14366; RIGA 43
CLASSIFIED BY: Brian Phipps, POL/ECON Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000089
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/02/22
TAGS: PREL NATO AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA IN AFGHANISTAN: UNABLE TO PROVIDE MORE TROOPS BUT
INCREASING CIVILIAN ASSISTANCE
REF: STATE 14366; RIGA 43
CLASSIFIED BY: Brian Phipps, POL/ECON Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) We delivered reftel A demarche to Judite Dobele, the
Head of the Latvian MFA's Asia, Africa and Oceania Division.
Dobele said that the GOL currently has 175 soldiers serving in
Afghanistan and has no current plans to increase its military
presence there.
2. (SBU) Latvia is increasing its civilian assistance to
Afghanistan. This year Latvia will send two additional police
officers, supplementing the one already deployed, to Afghanistan to
train the Afghan police (Ref B). In March Latvia will spend
10,000 Latvian lats (about 20,000 USD) to bring Afghan criminal
investigators to Latvia for training. (Ref B).
3. (C) Comment: While Dobele did not say that Latvia can not
afford to send more troops to Afghanistan, that is the case.
Latvia is already doing all it can. In spite of Latvia's severe
economic contraction (the loss of over 20% in GDP over the last two
years),the government remains committed to sustaining its existing
contribution of troops that serve without caveats. The Foreign
Ministry and Defense Ministry share a strong desire to demonstrate
international responsibility and continued solidarity with the
United States on Afghanistan.
GARBER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/02/22
TAGS: PREL NATO AF LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA IN AFGHANISTAN: UNABLE TO PROVIDE MORE TROOPS BUT
INCREASING CIVILIAN ASSISTANCE
REF: STATE 14366; RIGA 43
CLASSIFIED BY: Brian Phipps, POL/ECON Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) We delivered reftel A demarche to Judite Dobele, the
Head of the Latvian MFA's Asia, Africa and Oceania Division.
Dobele said that the GOL currently has 175 soldiers serving in
Afghanistan and has no current plans to increase its military
presence there.
2. (SBU) Latvia is increasing its civilian assistance to
Afghanistan. This year Latvia will send two additional police
officers, supplementing the one already deployed, to Afghanistan to
train the Afghan police (Ref B). In March Latvia will spend
10,000 Latvian lats (about 20,000 USD) to bring Afghan criminal
investigators to Latvia for training. (Ref B).
3. (C) Comment: While Dobele did not say that Latvia can not
afford to send more troops to Afghanistan, that is the case.
Latvia is already doing all it can. In spite of Latvia's severe
economic contraction (the loss of over 20% in GDP over the last two
years),the government remains committed to sustaining its existing
contribution of troops that serve without caveats. The Foreign
Ministry and Defense Ministry share a strong desire to demonstrate
international responsibility and continued solidarity with the
United States on Afghanistan.
GARBER