Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06RIGA1056, TWO LATVIAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06RIGA1056.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06RIGA1056 2006-12-29 15:38 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Riga
VZCZCXRO6724
RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK
DE RUEHRA #1056/01 3631538
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 291538Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3649
INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIGA 001056 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV MOPS PREL IZ LG
SUBJECT: TWO LATVIAN SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 
VOW TO CONTINUE MISSION 
 
Ref: Riga 1022 
 
1.  SUMMARY.  The deaths of two Latvian soldiers in Iraq December 27 
has topped all news in Latvia in the aftermath.  Despite nearly 80 
percent public opposition to the mission, senior officials have 
clearly stated that Latvia will remain in Iraq.  Opposition 
political leaders, and even some members of the coalition, have 
suggested that parliament should review Latvia's deployment in Iraq 
and consider an exit strategy, but appear to favor a deliberate and 
considered approach over an immediate withdrawal.  Press coverage of 
the incident has been factual and editorial writing has been 
predictable.  Those who supported the deployment want it to 
continue, those who have always opposed it, want to see it ended. 
With the relative quiet of the holiday period, we will need to wait 
until January to measure the full impact of this incident.  End 
summary. 
 
 
2. On December 27, a group of Latvian soldiers on patrol outside 
their base in Diwaniyah suffered what appears to be an IED explosion 
under the US-provided HMMWV in which they were riding.  Two 
soldiers, Private First Class Gints Bleija, 25, and Private First 
Class Vitalijs Vasiljevs, 24, were killed in the attack.  Three 
other soldiers were injured.  Two of those suffered only minor 
injuries and will be returned to duty, while the third suffered more 
serious injuries and has been evacuated to the American Army 
hospital in Landstuhl for treatment.  The bodies are expected back 
in Latvia in early January when state funerals will likely be held. 
Latvia previously suffered only one combat death in Iraq when an EOD 
expert was killed in 2004 in the course of his duties. 
 
3. Since the incident, Ambassador Bailey has been in telephone 
contact with the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs and the 
offices of the President and Prime Minister to express our 
condolences and she will be sending letters to all senior government 
officials and the families of the deceased.  Embassy personnel will 
participate in events related to the deaths of the two soldiers as 
appropriate. 
 
4.  While expressing condolences to the relatives of the victims, 
Latvia's senior officials indicated on December 27 that the 
casualties would not provoke the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. 
President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, 
Defense Minister Atis Slakteris and parliament's Defense, Internal 
Affairs and Anti-Corruption Committee chair Juris Dalbins have all 
rejected any suggestion that this incident should prompt a pullout 
of troops from Iraq. Dalbins reiterated that on December 14 the 
Saeima (parliament) had extended the troop mandate in Iraq through 
the end of 2007 (reftel). Foreign Minister Pabriks said that 
Latvia's participation in international operations was inevitable, 
and that by helping stabilize the situation in Iraq the Latvian 
soldiers were making a contribution towards strengthening the 
security of Latvia and its NATO allies.  Defense minister Slakteris 
has noted that there are already plans to reduce the size of the 
Latvian contingent in Iraq in 2007. 
 
5. Former Minister of Defense and current European Parliament deputy 
Girts Kristovskis (Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK) noted that this 
incident should not serve as the grounds for aborting the mission in 
Iraq. He acknowledged, however, that Latvia's participation in the 
mission should be evaluated and debated not only by senior officials 
but by the general public as well. New Era, the largest opposition 
party, says it is not going to urge that the troops be recalled 
immediately, but New Era's MP and former Defense Minister Linda 
Murniece urged the government to come up a plan outlining "how and 
when Latvia will leave Iraq."  The deputy chair of the parliament's 
Defense and Internal Affairs Committee Juris Dobelis from the 
nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party has called for a troop 
pullout on a shorter timeline and said he believes there should be 
an immediate debate in parliament on the issue. 
 
6. Much of the press reporting to date has been factual, noting 
especially that all Latvians deployed to Iraq volunteer for the 
mission.  In fact, this was Vasilejvs's second tour in Iraq. 
Editorial writers have been mixed, with the more elite press 
focusing on the need to continue the mission and the value to Latvia 
in participating in international security operations, while the 
more populist press and Russian language press says that this 
incident highlights the need for Latvia to get out of Iraq. 
 
7. Comment: Latvia's political leaders have reacted calmly and 
maturely to this incident, focusing on the sacrifice that all 
soldiers know they may be asked to make and praising the 
professionalism of the Latvian military.  Even opponents of the 
mission have been responsible in their criticism.  Polling from 
October 2006 showed that 78.9 percent of Latvians oppose the 
deployment for Iraq, a figure that has changed little from past 
years.  So far that opposition has been rather muted, but as 
Latvians return from their holidays and parliament returns to 
session in early January, we can expect to see some increase in 
average people voicing opposition to the mission. 
 
 
RIGA 00001056  002 OF 002 
 
 
ANTWEILER