US embassy cable - 05ISLAMABAD16063

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 016063 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT - PLEASE PASS TO USAID 
KABUL - PLEASE PASS TO CFC-A 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PK, MASS, PGOV, EAID, AEMR, ASEC, NATO, UN, Earthquake 
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE:  AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH 
NATO ASSESSMENT DELEGATION 
 
REF: ISLAMABAD 16025 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C)  On October 25, Ambassador received USN VADM 
Stufflebeam, commander of the NATO team visiting Islamabad to 
coordinate NATO's earthquake relief deployment to Pakistan. 
VADM Stufflebeam told Ambassador that he would only be on the 
ground in Pakistan for the time necessary to conduct a 
Commander's assessment of the situation.  He said that NATO 
has authorized an initial 90-day Rapid Response Force 
deployment. NATO has already identified two hospital units 
that can be deployed in support of earthquake relief:  a 
Netherlands unit now in Afghanistan, but not currently being 
used by ISAF, and a Finnish unit.  VADM Stufflebeam reviewed 
the components of the NATO deployment, saying that Spain 
would take the lead on light engineering, France on aviation 
and Italy on maritime transport.  He said that the Government 
of Pakistan (GOP) has suggested that NATO operate out of the 
Lahore air field.  He also noted that the UN has solicited a 
significant level of logistical support from the NATO 
mission. 
 
2.  (C)  In response to VADM Stufflebeam's question, 
Ambassador discouraged locating the NATO operational center 
outside Islamabad, although it might make sense for NATO's 
air assets to work out of Lahore.  The Ambassador described 
the long time horizon for clearing many of the major roads in 
northern Pakistan, which the U.S. has only begun to fully 
appreciate as it prepares to deploy an engineering battalion 
to restore the Neelum Valley road.  He suggested that NATO 
take on a similar high-impact engineering project. 
Ambassador also alerted VADM Stufflebeam to Pakistani Army 
Aviation's need for MI-17 parts and maintenance support. 
Ambassador advised the NATO team to first become familiar 
with the Pakistan military operations and CENTCOM's Disaster 
Assistance Center - Pakistan (DAC-PAK) at Chaklala air field, 
then call on Federal Relief Coordinator MG Farooq to 
determine how NATO could support the GOP's operational 
priorities.  Noting that the proposed early deployment of two 
hospitals would get the NATO mission off to a great start, 
Ambassador underscored the importance of all donors staying 
on point that we are here to support the GOP and people of 
Pakistan through this crisis.  The Admiral concured. 
CROCKER