LITHUANIA FIRMLY OPPOSED TO LIFTING ARMS EMBARGO

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001190 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2014 TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC PHUM CH LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA FIRMLY OPPOSED TO LIFTING ARMS EMBARGO ON CHINA REF: A. SECSTATE 208511 ¶B. SECSTATE 180772 ¶C. SECSTATE 137493 ¶D. VILNIUS 1074 ¶E. VILNIUS 1033 ¶F. VILNIUS 852 ¶G. VILNIUS 780 Classified By: POL/ECON OFFICER CHRISTIAN YARNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) The Charge delivered ref A points concerning the European Union China arms embargo to Zygimantas Pavilionis, MFA Political Director and Director of the EU Department, on September 29. The Charge highlighted the key reasons for the maintaining the embargo and high level of concern for this issue in the USG. ¶2. (C) Pavilionis restated Lithuania's firm opposition to lifting of the arms embargo to China (refs D-G),and affirmed Foreign Minister Valionis's full agreement. A veteran EU watcher with several years of experience in Brussels, Pavilionis characterized calls for lifting the embargo as a uniquely "French issue" and said that Lithuania had not witnessed movement elsewhere within the EU regarding lifting the embargo. ¶3. (C) The Charge, noting a report from other MOFA sources that the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister is planning to visit Lithuania, asked Pavilionis to ensure that other Lithuanian interlocutors are uptospeed on this issue prior to that visit. Pavilionis agreed. ¶4. (C) Pavilionis, new to the assignment of Political Director, was keen to convey pro-U.S. sentiments. He remarked that, if forced to choose between the United States and China on this matter, Lithuania's support for the U.S. position was unequivocal. Mull