RIGA. April 30 (Interfax/BNS) - The first three officers of the Latvian National Armed Forces left for Kuwait on Wednesday to prepare for the arrival of 36 Latvian military personnel in the Gulf area in mid-May.
The officers' task is to investigate prices for food, water and other essential goods in Kuwait and Iraq, and to report this information to Defense Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis, the Latvian Armed Forces press service told BNS.
The minister will then sign a contract with U.S. officials, which will state what part of the expenses the U.S. will cover.
The Latvian unit, which consists of a 30-strong supply and support platoon six sappers, is currently being trained by U.S. instructors. The servicemen are mastering skills necessary for this mission.
The Latvian Defense Ministry is planning to allocate about LVT460,000 (USD802,930) for payment of salaries to soldiers and officers stationed in the Gulf area. The U.S. will cover a part of the expenses after the signing of a proper treaty.
The Latvian military will return home in late November, because governmental rules ban foreign missions that last longer than six months.
The military will leave for the Gulf area under a parliamentary resolution concerning implementation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1441.