Washington resumed military assistance to Latvia

The USA has allocated $4.5 mln (2.97 million Latts) to Latvia's Ministry of Defence, having thereby recommenced the military assistance to Latvia which was halted last summer in connection with Latvia's refusal to conclude an agreement on granting US citizens immunity from extradition to the International Criminal Court.

Director of the press service of Latvia's Ministry of Defence Airis Rikveilis told RIA Novosti that the USA will resume assistance according to the programme of deliveries of night vision devices, to the Strategic Advice to the Ministry of Defence programme, for providing individual outfit for servicemen, for improving the nuclear-biological and chemical protection of servicemen, and for training programmes.

In early July 2003 the USA halted military assistance to Latvia and 47 other countries. This decision concerns US direct assistance to foreign countries, used for financing purchases of arms and the training of foreign servicemen.

Latvia which, along with other countries, intends to enter not only NATO but also the European Union in 2004 decided to adhere to the EU's common stand and not to conclude a bilateral agreement with Washington on extradition of US citizens to the International Criminal Court.