Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05VILNIUS372
2005-04-08 14:19:00
SECRET
Embassy Vilnius
Cable title:  

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM ASSESSMENT: LITHUANIA

Tags:  PREL PTER ASEC LH 
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S E C R E T VILNIUS 000372 

SIPDIS

SECRET

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/15
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC LH
SUBJECT: GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM ASSESSMENT: LITHUANIA
FEEDBACK

REF: A) STATE 060796 B) 04 VILNIUS 15686

(U) Classified by DCM Thomas Kelly. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

S E C R E T VILNIUS 000372

SIPDIS

SECRET

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NB, AND S/CT

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/15
TAGS: PREL PTER ASEC LH
SUBJECT: GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM ASSESSMENT: LITHUANIA
FEEDBACK

REF: A) STATE 060796 B) 04 VILNIUS 15686

(U) Classified by DCM Thomas Kelly. Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (S) Lithuania has a low terrorism threat, and we are
working hard with Lithuanian security agencies to keep it
that way. There are no known terrorist operational cells,
logistical cells, or support organizations in Lithuania.
There are no known incidents of terrorism financing or
terrorism-related money laundering. Lithuania has strong
money laundering laws that include specific reference to
terrorism financing. Lithuania participates actively in
Proliferation Security Initiative exercises to combat
illicit transfer of WMD between maladies state and non-
state actors. We are not aware of any instances in which
significant terrorist attacks were thwarted here.


2. (U) The United States has provided training to the
Government of Lithuania to strengthen its ability to fight
terrorism and to prevent the occurrence of terrorist
activities in Lithuania. Post holds Anti-Terrorism
Assistance (ATA) training for Lithuanian officials. Twelve
officials attended ATA "Combating Transnational Terrorism"
training in November 2003 and sixteen officers attended
"Police Role in Combating Terrorism" training in November
2004 at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in
Budapest, Hungary. Two Lithuanian Police officers attended
International Visitor Programs that included terrorism
issues. The programs were "Combating International Crime
Global Cooperation" and "Combating International Crime."
Post also provided FBI Large Vehicle Bomb Post-Blast
Investigation training in 2004 for investigators from
Lithuania and its Baltic neighbors, Latvia and Estonia.


3. (U) Lithuania has received multiple training by the FBI
and East West Institute on prevention and investigation of
money laundering. This training was primarily for criminal
money laundering but can be applied to terrorism financing.
Terrorism financing was covered during each of these
training activities. The Department of State/Homeland
Security Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program
has provided an extensive amount of training and equipment
in the fight against WMD proliferation.


4. (U) On December 9, 2004, Post convened a Counter
Terrorism Action Group (CTAG) meeting (Ref B).
Representatives from the French, German, Canadian,
Japanese, Spanish, Italian, British, and Russian Embassies
attended. CTAG participants shared the view that the
terrorism threat in Vilnius is low.


5. (S) Post foresees two challenges for Lithuania.
Lithuania became a member of the EU in 2004 and is now part
of the EU external border. This creates the potential for
terrorists to try to use Lithuania as an entry point into
the rest of the EU. This issue was raised as a concern
during the CTAG meeting. During the meeting, France raised
the possibility that terrorists, using organized crime
resources in Lithuania, could obtain forged documents that
could be used to enter and remain in EU countries. This
challenge takes on an added dimension because of
Lithuania's efforts to join the Visa Waiver Program. The
second issue is also linked to Lithuania's EU membership.
EU membership has facilitated Lithuanian emigration to
better-paying EU economies. If this trend continues,
Lithuania may be forced to look to immigrant labor to fill
vacant jobs. An increased immigrant population could
create new and uncertain cultural and political situations
for Lithuania, with possible ramifications for the level of
terrorist activity here.


6. (S) There have been numerous reports of organized crime
production of false identity documents, passports, and
visas. Lithuania is striving to combat this from the
standpoint of illegal migration. Post recommends increased
engagement with Lithuania to assist efforts to secure its
border. This can be accomplished by training and
assistance from Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs on
ways to maintain a secure travel document system and by
Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs
Enforcement training and assistance on secure border
control. Another important problem to deal with is the
fight against corruption in Lithuania. The current level
of corruption makes it easier for a terrorist to obtain the
travel documents that would allow him free access to EU
countries. Our Mission is working intensively with
Lithuanian authorities and civil society to reduce the
level of corruption.

MULL