LITHUANIA TO DISCUSS FOREIGN DEPLOYMENTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001304 SIPDIS STATE FOR PM/ISO, PM/RSAT, PM/PMAT, NEA/I, EAP, AND EUR/NB E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2014 TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL IZ LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA TO DISCUSS FOREIGN DEPLOYMENTS Classified By: Pol/Econ Officer Gregory L. Bernsteen for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Parliamentary Speaker Arturas Paulauskas called on Lithuania's National Defense Council December 12 to develop a long-term strategy for involvement in Iraq and other foreign military missions. Government officials recognize the unfortunate timing of Paulauskas's proposal, coming just days before elections in Iraq, and insist that it reflects no intention to undermine Lithuania's commitment to the Coalition. Rather, they see this as an occasion to clarify and explain policy decisions. Defense officials underscore that Lithuania will not seek to change its deployment to Iraq without prior consultation with the U.S. and other affected coalition partners. Ambassador will be meeting with Paulauskas, President Adamkus and other senior policy makers in coming days to ensure Lithuania's commitment is still on track, along with continuing public diplomacy efforts. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Parliamentary Speaker Arturas Paulauskas sent a letter to President Valdas Adamkus December 12 to request that Lithuania's National Defense Council (NDC) take up discussion of Lithuania's participation in international deployments, specifically in Iraq. Paulauskas told the press that his objective is not that the NDC make any "radical decisions." Rather, he indicated, he believes that the GOL should discuss and refine its long-term strategy regarding international operations, much as governments and legislatures in the United States and other Coalition member countries are doing. Paulauskas commented that allegations of USG mistreatment of Iraq prisoners is one issue that the NDC has not yet discussed and should take up. ¶3. (SBU) Defense Minister Kirkilas, along with several prominent parliamentarians and committee heads, jumped to defend Lithuania's international commitments, framing the proposed discussion as a useful policy-making tool. MP Vaclav Stankevic, head of the parliamentary NATO Commission, supported the Speaker's call for discussion as a political necessity, noting that constituents demand information about Iraq. ¶4. (C) MOD Undersecretary Renatas Norkus contacted the Ambassador December 14 at the request of DefMin Gediminas Kirkilas and assured the Ambassador that the Speaker's proposal for discussion did not represent a change in the GOL's strategy or commitment. According to Norkus, "this debate is going on in every other country in the coalition, including the United States and Poland," and it is incumbent on Lithuanian leaders to address the issue. President Adamkus has not commented on Paulauskas's proposal, but Norkus noted (and a presidential adviser confirmed) that the President will not convene a special NDC meeting for the purpose of this discussion, but will table it at the next Council meeting. Norkus insisted that the proposal does not reflect a move by the GOL to reduce their deployment in Iraq, and that they would not consider such a move without first consulting fully with the USG. Next Steps -------------- ¶5. (C) Comment. We are planning (and have already begun) a rapid outreach campaign to address the concerns of politicians and policy-makers. The Ambassador, along with his British counterpart, will call jointly on Paulauskas to discuss any concerns he might have in greater detail. The Ambassador will also meet with President Adamkus and others in Lithuania's political-military leadership in coming days to make sure Lithuania's commitment is on track. In the meantime, we will continue to press the Lithuanian government to adopt a high profile in responding to Iraq's December 15 parliamentary elections. MULL