VISA WAIVER PROGRAM: LITHUANIA ACCEPTS ROADMAP,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 VILNIUS 000276

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB, CA/VO, FSI/SPAS/CON
WARSAW FOR LAPIASCIK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS PREL LH
SUBJECT: VISA WAIVER PROGRAM: LITHUANIA ACCEPTS ROADMAP,
WANTS CONSULTATIONS IN U.S.

REFS: A. STATE 26010


B. VILNIUS 162

C. VILNIUS 139


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The GOL, initially hesitant to pursue a
formal agreement, is now anxious to accept the VWP roadmap
following the model of other countries in the region. MFA
officials remain very interested in arranging U.S.
consultations, to examine both biometric security and
"customer service" elements of our consular training, for a
group of Lithuanian officials. We stressed that a public
campaign to discourage visa misuse would be a critical
element of the roadmap, and the MFA pledged its willingness
to undertake such an effort, especially in cooperation with
us. The MFA would also like the USG to form an official
Progress Evaluation Team to serve as a review mechanism for
VWP progress. The GOL understands that VWP accession will
not come in the immediate future, but is searching for
concrete steps, such as consultations in the United States
on consular issues, to help lay the groundwork and
demonstrate some progress. END SUMMARY.

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Lithuania Happy with Roadmap
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2. (SBU) We met with Vaidotas Verba, Director of the MFA's
Consular Department, on March 8 to discuss Lithuania's
roadmap for the Visa Waiver Program. Although the MFA had
previously expressed a desire to avoid a formal roadmap
agreement (ref B),Verba said that after further
deliberations the GOL was now eager to accept a formal
roadmap in line with other countries in the region (ref A).

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Strong Desire for Biometric and Consular Consultations
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3. (SBU) Verba reiterated GOL interest in arranging a visit
for Lithuanian officials, likely representatives from both
the MFA and Interior Ministry, to the United States for
consultations on biometric security features. This visit,
said Verba, should be a key element of the roadmap
introduction and allow the GOL to present its progress in
introducing biometric security features for Lithuanian
passports. He also confirmed GOL interest in sending
consular and migration officials to experience "customer
service" elements of USG consular training.

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Planning for Public Campaign Against Visa Misuse
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4. (SBU) We stressed that a GOL public campaign to
discourage visa misuse and overstay by Lithuanians would be
an important element of the roadmap. Verba responded that
the GOL was willing to undertake such a campaign, noting
that the MFA had already released some public statements on
the issue, but that the entire government still had to
consider the matter. He also asked if the Embassy would be
willing to join a public campaign as a joint effort. We
noted our already robust public diplomacy efforts to promote
proper visa use and said that we would be happy to
participate with the GOL in joint appearances on this
subject.

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VWP Review Mechanism
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5. (SBU) Noting that the USG-proposed roadmap makes
reference to a "periodic review" of progress toward the VWP,
Verba asked if the USG would consider forming an official
Progress Evaluation Team to make regular visits to Lithuania
and evaluate progress. This group, Verba maintained, would
create a mechanism for VWP review and help convince
Lithuanian citizens that the process is ongoing. We
promised to relay Verba's request, but encouraged him to
discuss the concept in more detail, including with his
counterparts from other countries of the region, in order to
better define the objectives of such a group.

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Roadmap Rollout
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6. (SBU) Verba said that the GOL was planning a public
statement to present the roadmap, suggesting that FM
Valionis might want to do so in conjunction with a U.S.
official. Subsequently, on March 15, Verba passed us a
draft for a Lithuania-specific roadmap agreement, which
tracked very closely with the document passed to Baltic
ambassadors in Washington. However, Lithuania's draft adds
two points, one describing the formation of a permanent U.S.
Progress Evaluation Team, and the other stating U.S.
willingness to explore the possibility of expanding exchange
programs. The Lithuanian-drafted document also expands the
original U.S. offer of "technical advice and assistance" to
"assistance in training of Lithuanian consular, migration,
and border officials."

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Comment: Change in Tone, Not Substance
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7. (SBU) Although the MFA has reversed its earlier
reluctance to enter into a formal agreement regarding VWP,
the substance of the GOL position has not significantly
changed. The GOL understands that VWP accession will not
come in the immediate future. In the meantime, Lithuanian
officials want to pursue concrete steps, such as
consultations in the United States on consular issues, to
help lay the groundwork. We appreciate Department's and
other posts' assistance in developing a consultative program
in line with Lithuanian and U.S. interests.

MULL