SCENESETTER FOR CODEL KINGSTON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VILNIUS 000447 SIPDIS FOR CODEL KINGSTON FROM CHARGE D'AFFAIRES TOM KELLY STATE FOR EUR/NB, H AND RM/F/DFS/FO/AA/CAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV OVIP LH SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CODEL KINGSTON REF: A. VILNIUS 432 ¶B. STATE 074071 -------------- Introduction -------------- ¶1. Your visit to Lithuania will provide an opportunity to thank Lithuania for its staunch and unwavering support in the U.S.-led Global War on Terror, including its recent decision to establish and lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Chaghcharan, Afghanistan, and to commend its leadership in promoting democratic initiatives in the region. Planned meetings with President Adamkus and Speaker of Parliament Paulauskas will afford you the chance to celebrate and strengthen the already exceptionally friendly bilateral relations the United States shares with Lithuania. -------------- Lithuanian History in Brief -------------- ¶2. The rich culture of Lithuania goes back more than two thousand years. Lithuanians are a branch of the Balts, who probably settled in the region around 200 B.C. Lithuanian is one of the oldest languages in Europe. The first written mention of Lithuania was in the Annales Quedlinburgenses in 1009 A.D. ¶3. The Grand Duke Mindaugas established the first Lithuanian state in 1230. He converted to Christianity briefly and was crowned king of Lithuania in 1252. The Grand Duke Gediminas, who reigned from 1316 to 1341, is credited with founding Vilnius, at the confluence of the Neris and Vilnia rivers, and a dynasty that united Lithuania and Poland from 1386 until 1795. ¶4. Lithuania progressively entered European culture. At the Union of Lublin in 1569, the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom was formally merged into a commonwealth headed by a monarch. This union came under threat from Prussia, Austria, and Russia at the end of the 18th century. In 1795, Russia annexed most of Lithuania and tried to impose Russian culture. ¶5. On February 16, 1918, Lithuania regained its independence and restored its statehood. Lithuania remained free for only 22 years. In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania; Nazi Germany overran the country the following year; and the Soviets returned in 1944. Armed resistance against the Soviets continued for several years after the end of World War II. For more than 50 years under the Soviets, Lithuanians held onto the goal of independence. ¶6. In February 1990, the anti-Communist popular movement Sajudis won an overwhelming majority in free parliamentary elections. That March, the Supreme Council, under the leadership of Prof. Vytautas Landsbergis, restored Lithuania's independence. Lithuania became a member of the United Nations on September 17, 1991. The last Soviet soldier left in August 1993. In April 2004, Lithuania joined NATO. In May 2004, Lithuania became a member of the European Union. -------------- Background -------------- ¶7. Rapid economic growth and development characterize Lithuania,s trajectory from Soviet occupation to a maturing democracy and free-market economy. Politically, Lithuania strives to deepen the transatlantic alliance and present itself as an active participant in international political fora. Our coalition partner in Iraq, ally in the United Nations and NATO, and a leading exporter of democracy in a difficult neighborhood, Lithuania has risen to donor status farther afield in Iraq and Sudan. Lithuania,s footprint goes far beyond what one would expect from a country of such small size (population 3.5 million) and with such a short time on the field. On the home front, Lithuania last year weathered a turbulent presidential impeachment that put the young democracy under international scrutiny. Closely adhering to transparent democratic principles and procedures, Lithuania returned a centrist, unifying figure to the presidency. -------------- Growing Pains of a Maturing Democracy -------------- ¶8. Lithuania inaugurated Valdas Adamkus on July 12 as its fourth president since the restoration of independence in ¶1991. Adamkus, a former American citizen, previously served as president from 1997 to 2002, when he lost his bid for reelection to populist Rolandas Paksas. Adamkus regained the presidency following Paksas' impeachment and removal from office earlier this year in proceedings that rocked the nation and tested the democratic institutions of the young republic, and left Lithuania the dubious distinction of being the only European democracy to have removed its head of state. The process was bumpy, but largely transparent and democratic. In the aftermath of the impeachment, Lithuania played out a highly charged contest for the presidency that pitted the centrist Adamkus against a candidate whose populist agenda promoted increased social spending, reconsideration of Lithuania's participation in Iraq, and, most notably, decreased U.S. influence in Europe. Adamkus cast his victory in this contest as confirmation of a foreign policy agenda that highlights the importance of the U.S. presence in Lithuania and Europe. ¶9. Lithuanian voters widely supported the country's entrance into the European Union and NATO in 2004. These memberships are the first steps in Lithuania's long-term political strategy that envisions a leadership role in OSCE and ECOSOC, membership in OECD, and active participation in NATO and the EU. -------------- Growing Economy -------------- ¶10. Lithuania is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. The country,s robust economic growth continues, though it has slowed last year from 9.7 percent in 2003 to a still enviable 6.7 percent. Analysts forecast annual average real GDP growth of 5.7 to 7 percent for 2005 and 2006. Domestic demand will continue to drive economic growth, as households benefit from wage increases, falling unemployment, and low lending rates, and Lithuania will look to attract foreign investment to sustain long-term growth. Uncertainty about the future of the oil supply and management of Lithuania's Mazeikiu Nafta oil refinery, currently under management of the major shareholder Yukos, could slow growth. Disruptions in the flow of oil or the sustainment of recent price hikes would most acutely affect the country's manufacturing sector, which constitutes some 20 percent of GDP. Annual average inflation, which was 2.9 percent at the end of 2004, will rise in concert with electricity and gas prices and wage costs, whi le the trade deficit will widen as a result of the increasing trade imbalance with Russia and other trading partners. -------------- An Enemy of the U.S. is an Enemy of Lithuania -------------- ¶11. Common values, a history of mutual support, and common goals for regional security bind Lithuania and the United States. Lithuania continues to recognize a debt of gratitude to the United States for having maintained a policy of non-recognition of Baltic annexation throughout the years of Soviet occupation. Following the restoration of Lithuania's independence, the U.S. cemented the friendship, providing political and financial support to Lithuania, welcoming the country into the transatlantic alliance, and supporting Lithuanian membership in NATO and the European Union. ¶12. Lithuania already is a well-established transatlantic partner whom, although a new member of NATO, has proven to be one of our strongest allies in the transatlantic alliance. Lithuania currently has boots on the ground in Afghanistan in support of ISAF and will lead a Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Chagcharan region of Afghanistan. In Iraq, Lithuanian soldiers serving under Danish and Polish command conduct patrols, assist in maintaining public order, and are involved with rebuilding and reconstruction efforts. The British, Danish and Polish commanders have all commended Lithuanian soldiers' skills and professionalism. The Lithuanian Parliament has committed to support this deployment through the end of 2005. Lithuanian soldiers have also performed admirably as peacekeepers in the Balkans, where 100 soldiers are contributing to the increasing stability of this region. -------------- Lithuania Active in the "Near Abroad" -------------- ¶13. Lithuania's accession to the European Union and NATO opened new opportunities for the GOL to engage with its neighbors to the east, most notably in the context of the EU's "New Neighborhood" policy. Leveraging its historical experience as part of the Soviet Union, Lithuania seeks to assist former Soviet states transition to democracy and integrate into European institutions such as the EU and NATO. In Belarus, Lithuanian governmental and non-governmental organizations work with nascent democratic forces both bilaterally and through regional organizations such as e-PINE. President Adamkus was instrumental in mediating the election crisis in Ukraine, and Lithuania is one of the most vocal advocates for Ukraine's bid to become a member of the EU and NATO. Lithuania supports Moldova's aspiration to join the EU and encourages the countries of the South Caucasus to pursue European integration. -------------- Lithuanian-Russian Relations -------------- ¶14. Lithuania works hard to maintain good relations with Russia. Though rumblings are sometimes heard from Moscow regarding NATO's air-policing mission and transit to Kaliningrad, Lithuania has engaged Russia both bilaterally and multilaterally to assuage Russian concerns across a myriad of issues. Russian attempts to establish May 9 as an internationally recognized day to commemorate the end of World War II disturbed Lithuanians, since that date marked the beginning of the Soviet occupation of the Baltics. President Adamkus, after much deliberation, decided not to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to participate in the May 9 celebrations in Moscow. -------------- The Special Lithuanian-U.S. Relationship -------------- ¶15. Starting in the 19th century, a flood of Lithuanians fled poverty and oppression in their homeland and immigrated to the United States. These longstanding ties of family and culture remain strong. After World War II, Lithuanians received decisive moral support from the United States, which refused to recognize the Soviet annexation of Lithuania. After regaining their independence, Lithuanians have continued to view the U.S. more favorably that most Western Europeans. This reflects longstanding goodwill toward the United States as well as the widely held view that the United States is a necessary balance against lingering domination from the east. -------------- Preview of Your Visit -------------- ¶16. We are working to confirm meetings with the President and Speaker of Parliament during your visit to Lithuania. Both will be keen to discuss Lithuania's hopes to promote democracy throughout the region, as well as the Lithuanian-American relationship. Ambassador Mull will host a reception in your honor on the evening of May 9. All of us here at Embassy Vilnius very much look forward to your visit. Kelly