NGO CONCERNS -- NOT JUST IN RUSSIA

UNCLAS VILNIUS 001305

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB AND EUR/RUS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RS LH
SUBJECT: NGO CONCERNS -- NOT JUST IN RUSSIA

REF: A. SECSTATE 222292


B. VILNIUS 1287 AND PREVIOUS

The MFA is concerned about NGOs in Russia...
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1. (SBU) We delivered reftel points regarding Russia's
proposed new NGO law to Arunas Vinciunas, head of the MFA's
Russia desk on December 13. He told us that the GOL
continues to share our concerns regarding potential
constraints on NGO activities. According to Vinciunas,
however, the Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers jointly
decided to wait until the second reading of the law on
December 16th before proceeding further. If the Duma does
not substantively amend the law, they will then discuss their
next steps. We urged Vinciunas to consider raising this
issue with the GOR sooner rather than later, and emphasized
that even potential amendments would likely leave the door
open for the GOR to selectively target NGOs.

...while politicians defend beleaguered NGOs here...
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2. (SBU) Some Lithuanian politicians finally took a stand
December 9 against a major newspaper's recent attacks on NGOs
(ref b): 47 prominent politicians, including Seimas members,
two European parliament members, and two ministers, signed a
petition recognizing NGO contributions to Lithuania's
development. Most of the signatories were from opposition
parties, but fourteen, including Foreign Minister Antanas
Valionis, were from the governing coalition.

...and the PM adds fuel to the fire
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3. (SBU) Prime Minister Brazauskas, in a radio interview
December 13, said that the GOL is neither attacking NGOs nor
preventing them from operating in Lithuania. He said
nothing, however, in support of the activities or
accomplishments of NGOs in Lithuania. Brazauskas remarked
that some NGOs calling themselves "institutes" and claiming
to represent society are, in fact, only two or three people
expressing their own opinions. (Note: Many Lithuanian NGOs,
including Transparency International, the Civil Society
Institute, and Open Society are very small, and the PM's
insinuation tars them all with the same brush.)
MULL