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