LITHUANIA DECLARES SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE; TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001450

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV UP LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA DECLARES SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE; TO
PROPOSE NATO ROLE

REF: A. VILNIUS 1449


B. VILNIUS 1437

Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Nancy Cohen
for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) The Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) expressed its
solidarity with the people of Ukraine and its support for
their democratic objectives. In a vote of 123 to 1, with 3
abstentions, the 141-seat Seimas resolved to support the
decision of Ukraine's Supreme Rada to evaluate the results of
the second round of presidential elections according to
generally recognized democratic standards. The Seimas
resolution also applauded the efforts of the Supreme Rada and
other Ukrainian institutions to stabilize the situation in
Ukraine and commended the diplomatic mediation of Lithuanian
President Valdas Adamkus, and Polish and EU officials. The
Seimas denounced "illegal intervention of third" parties to
interfere in Ukraine's domestic political affairs.


2. (C) Mindaugas Kacerauskas, head of the MFA's Ukraine,
Moldova, and Belarus Division, told us that the Lithuanian
Government is very concerned about protecting democratic
integrity of the election process and the territorial
integrity of Ukraine, "to avoid another Transnistria." He
said that Lithuanian will take the lead at a meeting in
Brussels during the week of November 29 and will debrief the
NATO Ambassadors on the President Adamkus's "fruitful and
very successful" meeting in Kiev with Ukraine's President
Kuchma, Polish President Kwasniewski, and the EU's Javier
Solano. In Brussels, Lithuania will introduce a four-point
proposal for NATO action, which Kacerauskas described as
follows:

a) the North Atlantic Council (NAC) take up Ukraine's
elections at the December 9 meeting;

b) the NAC communique incorporate a statement on
Ukraine's elections and a proposal to ensure
Ukraine's territorial integrity;

c) the NATO-Ukraine meeting planned for the margins of
the December 9 NAC be at the ministerial level;

c) the situation in Ukraine be on the agenda for the
NATO-Russia Council.


3. (C) Comment: Lithuania continues to advance its position
as a leader in regional affairs. President Adamkus's
successful diplomatic intervention in Ukraine's post-election
crisis has played well in Lithuania, and the media is making
much of Lithuania's restored image in the international arena
following a year of the country's own democratic challenges
and a presidential impeachment. More than just show,
however, the actions of the President and Seimas reflect a
government-wide commitment that Lithuania will be an active
member in NATO and in a Europe "whole and free."
MULL