Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VILNIUS1323
2005-12-21 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:  

LITHUANIA UNFAZED BY U.S. DRAWDOWN; PLANS TO SEND

Tags:  PREL MOPS PGOV EAID AF LH 
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UNCLAS VILNIUS 001323 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV EAID AF LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA UNFAZED BY U.S. DRAWDOWN; PLANS TO SEND
DELEGATION TO AFGHANISTAN COMPACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 226670


B. SECSTATE 227560

UNCLAS VILNIUS 001323

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MOPS PGOV EAID AF LH
SUBJECT: LITHUANIA UNFAZED BY U.S. DRAWDOWN; PLANS TO SEND
DELEGATION TO AFGHANISTAN COMPACT

REF: A. SECSTATE 226670


B. SECSTATE 227560


1. (SBU) We delivered ref A and B points regarding the
upcoming January Afghanistan Compact in London and the
proposed troop drawdown in Afghanistan to Vytautas
Leskevicius, head of the MFA's NATO division, on December 21.
We also delivered ref B points December 20 to Alvydas
Kunigelis, Acting Director of the MOD's International
Relations department.

Afghanistan Compact
--------------


2. (SBU) Leskevicius said that the GOL had not yet received a
formal invitation to the Compact but expects to participate
with MFA Undersecretary Dalius Cekuolis likely heading the
Lithuanian delegation. Leskevicius said that he could not
comment on any new financial pledges from Lithuania, since
internal discussions are ongoing and will continue until
mid-January. Leskevicius mentioned that FM Antanas Valionis
hopes to push the European Commission and the EU to pledge
substantially towards reconstruction, possibly including
funds for provincial reconstruction teams.

No Worries about Troop Reductions
--------------


3. (SBU) Leskevicius did not have any immediate comment on
the drawdown, but asked about USG plans for troop levels in
Iraq. Drawing on recent guidance, we explained our
benchmarks, and how the USG will reevaluate deployment levels
as democracy, security and reconstruction improve and as NATO
assumed a larger role. Kunigelis, who had previously
received the same guidance, said that the news of the
drawdown neither concerned nor surprised the GOL. He said
that he had seen a short media report on the drawdown and
welcomed the additional details we provided.
MULL