LITHUANIA SUPPORTS EU-IMIE COOPERATION ON IRAQ

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001577

SIPDIS

STATE FOR DRL AND EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2014
TAGS: PROP PREL PHUM IZ LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA SUPPORTS EU-IMIE COOPERATION ON IRAQ
ELECTIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 274965


B. VILNIUS 1520

Classified By: POL/ECON OFFICER TREVOR BOYD
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

(C) Charge delivered reftel points on supporting the
International Mission for Iraq Elections (IMIE) to Ginutis
Voveris, Director of MFA's Americas, Africa, Asia and Pacific
Departments on December 30. Noting the importance of the
elections for the democratization and reconstruction of Iraq,
Voveris said that the GOL will participate "one way or
another" in an international observation mission, and
reiterated that the GOL is strongly leaning toward
contributing to an EU mission (reftel B). Commending the
GOL's participation in the recent IMIE conference in Ottawa,
Charge highlighted widespread international support for the
IMIE. Pointing out that representatives of other EU members
and the EU Commission attended the Ottawa meeting, he added
that participation in the IMIE and an EU-organized effort
were not necessarily mutually exclusive. Voveris
concurred, noting that the GOL would support collaboration
between IMIE and the EU. We will continue to interact with
the GOL in the coming weeks to learn more about the nature of
Lithuania's participation and its recommendations on how best
to bring the EU and IMIE efforts together.
KELLY