GOL READJUSTING IN IRAQ BASED ON SAME RATIONALE AS

C O N F I D E N T I A L VILNIUS 001354

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2015
TAGS: PGOV PINS PREL MARR MOPS IZ PL LH
SUBJECT: GOL READJUSTING IN IRAQ BASED ON SAME RATIONALE AS
USG

REF: A. SECSTATE 231047

B. VILNIUS 1320

Classified By: Political/Economic Officer Alexander Titolo for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) We delivered ref A points on USG troop readjustments
in Iraq to Ministry of Defense Undersecretary Renatas Norkus
on December 28 and Vytautas Leskevicius, of the MFA's
Security Policy Department, on December 29. Both officials
said that the GOL's decision not to replace the detachment of
approximately 50 troops that recently rotated out of the
Polish sector does not represent any lessening of Lithuania's
commitment to the Iraq mission. Our GOL interlocutors
explained that Lithuania, like the USG, has based its
readjustments in Iraq on its judgment that Iraqi Security
Forces have increased their capabilities. Lithuania will
maintain its contingent of approximately 50 troops serving
with the Danes near Basrah, and will deploy three trainers to
work with the Poles. The GOL also has two personnel with the
NATO training mission in Iraq.


2. (C) Charge reviewed these readjustments with Minister of
Defense Gediminas Kirkilas and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Antanas Valionis December 30 at the changeover ceremony of
the Baltic Air Policing mission. Kirkilas noted that a few
voices in Lithuania's parliament are advocating for a
complete withdrawal from Iraq, but characterized them as
isolated and unrepresentative (ref B). He and Valionis said
that they are fully confident that Lithuania, along with its
key allies such as the United States and Poland, will see the
Iraq mission through to its completion.


3. (C) Kirkilas emphasized to Charge the importance of
Lithuania maintaining a presence of a few officers with
Poland in Iraq in acknowledgment of the deep strategic
partnership these nations enjoy. He noted that Lithuania's
commitment to maintain a presence, albeit reduced, with the
Poles in Iraq and Poland's assumption of Baltic Air Policing
responsibilities underscore the strength of this cooperation.
KELLY