Latvia will receive additional $1.48 in military assistance from the U.S.

Riga, October 4, 2006. -- United States Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey announced that the United States Congress and administration have agreed to allocate an additional $1.485 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) for Latvia. Latvia was already allocated $4.5 million in FMF this year. This additional funding brings Latvia’s total FMF allocation to $5.95 million for 2006, and is in addition to the $4.5 million that Latvia has received this year from the Coalition Solidarity Fund approved by Congress in 2005.

This year, Latvia has also received $1.3 million in International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds to provide training for members of the military.

“This additional money is an indication of the value that the United States places on Latvia as a NATO ally and partner in the Global War on Terror. FMF and the Coalition Solidarity Fund money will help Latvia’s fine military purchase the equipment needed to continue its long-term program of developing a military fully interoperable with NATO and able to meet the threats of the 21st century,” said Ambassador Bailey.

In 2005, Latvia received $4.96 million in FMF funding. Latvia has used money received in prior years for a number of important and valuable projects, such as enhancing command and control systems essential for the security of the NATO summit, ordering 30 HMMWV combat vehicles, purchasing secure digital radios and night vision goggles to make troops in the field more effective, and acquiring underwater diving de-mining equipment to help keep Latvia’s harbors and coastlines safe.

U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilsu iela 7
Riga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 750-9022
Internet: www.usembassy.lv
Media specialist's e-mail: ruklisk@state.gov